Above / The United States Armed Forces officially left Vietnam on March 29, 1973. In 2023, Bob Bronson, Past Commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, led a service in Veterans Park to pay tribute to all who bravely served in Vietnam and to 58,220 U.S. military fatal casualties, including 11 from Naperville, Illinois. (PN Photo Update, March 29, 2023)
Updated Post, March 27, 2024 / Wayne Fischer, US Marine Vietnam Veteran, again has organized an observance to recognize Vietnam War Veterans Day beginning at 10:30AM Fri., March 29, in Veterans Park. For 2024, Fischer will reflect upon the “Vietnam Wall of Remembrance” and what it stands for: Comradeship; Memories; Families Left Behind; Coming Home; and Always Remember those that passed away due to their Service in Vietnam.
This year’s program will include several reflections by Veterans, a DAR tribute, music, poetry, the Naperville Honor Guard and a wreath laying at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument.
Updated Post, March 29, 2023 / “We may not know them all, but we owe them all…” said Bob Bronson.
During the 30-minute observance of Vietnam War Veterans Day on the 50th Anniversary of the end of the conflict, dozens of men and women who had served in the military during the Vietnam era were recognized, including the 11 young men from Naperville who gave the ultimate sacrifice during that conflict.
Speeches and prayers honored Michael James Beirne, Christopher Wayne Beavers, Michael Edward Dunn, Walter Joseph Gutowski, John Charles Luebke, Jr., Dean Ward Moehring, Ronald Michael Nowak, Donald John Porter, Jay Charles Sacks, Edward Michael Sieben and John Braxton Woodall.
The ceremony also included a bagpiper’s playing “Amazing Grace,” buglers playing “Taps,” followed by a rifle volley from the combined Honor Guard of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3863 and American Legion Post 43.
Expressions of heartfelt gratitude were extended to all individuals who had served, returning home “to establish a new life in our Great County.”
Click here to link of Vietnam Veterans Day by James Hoch Photography / “Twas a bit blustery today, with a dusting of snow, but as I was told, ‘it was the almighty shedding a tear for those who never came home!'” said Jim Hoch.
National Vietnam War ‘Veterans Day’ is March 29
Original Post featured in the March 2023 issue of Positively Naperville / Fifty years ago, our United States Armed Forces officially left Vietnam on March 29, 1973. Up until a few years ago, this day was pretty much forgotten.
But this year marks the 50th Anniversary of our departure from Vietnam and we will be honoring our Vietnam Era Veterans on Wed., March 29 at our Naperville Veterans Park, and all Veterans are welcomed.
We are planning a brief program starting promptly at 10:30AM.
This gathering is open to the public and parking will be available at the Grace United Methodist Church across from Veterans Park, located at 303 E. Gartner.
We hope to see many of our fellow Vietnam Era Veterans there and bring a friend. It’s time for all who served during the Vietnam War to be honored.
Thanks, and Semper Fidelis,
—Wayne Fischer
