Quincy Reporter

Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) joined several of her colleagues in honoring veterans of the Vietnam War on March 29, the fifth commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

"National Vietnam War Veterans Day is commemorated on March 29 in the United States. An opportunity to recognize and give thanks for all who served during the Vietnam War, March 29 is the day that the last of the troops were withdrawn in 1973," Tracy posted on Facebook.

According to federal law, the United States' military involvement in the Vietnam War began in February 1961 and lasted until May 1975. Approximately 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam. During the war, more than 58,000 servicemen and women lost their lives.

This national day of recognition was created in 2017 when President Donald J. Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 into law. It designated March 29 as the day to honor veterans of the Vietnam War each year.

President Joe Biden issued a proclamation on March 28 to honor the day. It read in part: "On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor all those who bravely served in the Vietnam War and who sacrificed, as did their families and caregivers, on behalf of our Nation. For almost two decades, Americans raised their right hands and committed to serve and defend our Constitution as uniformed members of the United States Armed Forces during a tumultuous period in our country's history. Throughout the years of the Vietnam War, 9 million Americans earned the title of United States veteran. Today and every day, we honor their bravery and commitment and give thanks to a generation of Americans who valiantly fought in service of the country they love while recognizing the continuing impact on so many veterans of the Vietnam conflict, along with their families, caregivers, and survivors. We will always remember those we lost and honor those who came home."