On March 8, 1965, the first troops arrived in Vietnam and on March 29, 1973, the last American combat troops left Vietnam and returned home.
Over 2.6 million servicemembers served in Vietnam, and more than 58,200 made the ultimate sacrifice. We had 23 from Columbus County who gave their lives.
Our troops were not treated well when they returned. Some were spat upon and called names. Due to this, many of our Vietnam Veterans will not talk about their service.
The Veterans Memorial Park of America would like to say
“THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, WITH A GRATEFUL HEART” on not just Vietnam Veterans Day but every day. We appreciate your service and would like to show you our appreciation.
On Saturday March 28 at 9 a.m., we will have our Annual Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Ceremony. Rep. Brenden Jones has been invited to do our welcome. We will have breakfast refreshments, followed by a Veterans Stand Down with informational vendors for all veterans.
Veterans Benefit Administration, Columbus County VSO, McMullen House for Heroes, Nicole Hopkins (LCMHC at The Pasture), Lower Cape Fear Life Care, Honor and Valor Foundation, Coastal Horizon Mobile Clinic, Honor Flight, Oak Island Elks Lodge, Wreaths Across America, The Wall That Heals-In Memory Program, Patriots Heroes and Horses, and others have been invited to come out and share information.
This event is open to the public and free.
The Veterans Community Outreach Center is open to our Veterans. We have had the Veterans Benefits Administration from Ft. Bragg come three times to assist our veterans with questions and claims. Our veterans are welcome to come by and visit, grab a snack, and fellowship. The Veterans Benefit Administration will be back on Friday March 27. Please call 570.760.1515 to make appointment.
