In 2012, President Barack Obama proclaimed that March 29 would be designated as Vietnam Veterans Day. In 2017 the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed into law to officially mark March 29 as a federal holiday.
The first combat troops arrived in Vietnam in March 1965 and the last troops left on March 29, 1973. There was a military draft at that time, and most people did not choose to serve in the military; they were drafted into the military.
Antiwar protests were directed at individuals who served in the military as well as the government leaders who made the decision to support military action in Vietnam. This day of remembrance was designed to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who served during such turbulent times and were sometimes treated with disrespect upon their return home from Vietnam.
In recognition of that holiday, a ceremony was held at Veterans Park on Gartner Avenue on March 29, 2021. Veterans Park was originally constructed to provide a place to honor the service of all Veterans, but it is difficult for Veterans to think about their service without remembering those who did not return home.
Eleven young men from Naperville gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the Vietnam conflict. Those young men and their families were remembered that day. To realize the true effect of that loss on the Naperville community, one needs to think back on what Naperville was like during the years from 1965 to 1973. It was a rural community that had a population of about 13,000 in 1960 and had grown to a population of about 24,000 in 1970. For a town that size, practically everyone had a personal relationship with a family that had lost a loved one in the war.
On the last Monday in May, we celebrate Memorial Day, a day meant to remember all Veterans who have passed away as well as those who died while fighting for our country. Volunteers will place thousands of flags at the local cemeteries to honor all the graves of the Veterans who have passed away.
Because of the COVID-19 virus, the annual Naperville Memorial Parade will be scaled back to just a few blocks with only Veterans marching along Jackson Avenue to the Dandelion Fountain at Webster Street beginning at 9AM.
Yet, the traditional patriotic program with a wreath laying still will be held at noon in Central Park. I hope that many will be able to attend the observance consisting of patriotic songs performed by the Naperville Municipal Band and short speeches made by representatives of Naperville.
