The Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Richmond Veterans Center, will commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Friday, March 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. with a special ceremony followed by a Vietnam War Veterans Open House all day Saturday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is the eighth consecutive year that the Commonwealth and the Virginia War Memorial will join others across the Nation in observing National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29.
The Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center in Virginia Beach, in partnership with the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations, will also commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Friday, March 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. with a special ceremony.
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a Commemorative Partner to the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commission – one of more than 11,000 such Partners nationwide. The Commemorative Partner Program is designed for federal, state, and local communities, veterans’ organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam veterans and their families.
DVS was recently honored as one of the “Top Fifty” Commemorative Partners. 2025 marks the last year of the 20-year effort by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commission and Commemorative Partners to recognize Vietnam Veterans. DVS will continue to honor our Vietnam Veterans every year on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, but this is the last year DVS will do so in partnership with the Commemoration Commission.
Virginia War Memorial National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony & Remembrance Event
The ceremony on Friday, March 28 will be held outdoors in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory – 20th Century where the names of Virginia heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving in Vietnam as well as in World War II, Korea, and the Persian Gulf are permanently engraved on its inspiring glass and stone walls.
Veterans who served during the Vietnam War are encouraged to attend the ceremony on March 28, which will be followed by an “open mic” session where Vietnam veterans will have the opportunity to share their personal stories and experiences serving during the conflict.
Those who have not yet received the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commission’s special Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin (VVLP) may also receive a pin recognizing their heroic service. All men and women who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, anywhere in the world are classified as Vietnam-era veterans and are eligible to receive a VVLP.
Jones & Cabacoy National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony
The ceremony on Friday, March 28 will be held indoors in the Jones & Cabacoy Veteran Care Center’s community room to recognize JCVCC veterans who served in the Vietnam War. Area veterans who served during the Vietnam War are also invited to attend, but space is limited, and “pre-registration” is required. Click here to register. Questions may be directed to Kathryn Shear at Kathryn.Shear@dvs.virginia.gov.
JCVCC Vietnam Veterans and area Vietnam Veterans who have not yet received the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commission’s special Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin (VVLP) will receive a pin recognizing their heroic service. All men and women who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, anywhere in the world are classified as Vietnam-era veterans and are eligible to receive a VVLP.
Virginia War Memorial National Vietnam War Veterans Day Open House
The Virginia War Memorial’s Open House on Saturday, March 29 will include guided tours through the Memorial from docents who themselves served during the Vietnam War and who will offer unique and personal insights about the War and its lasting impacts on America. Documentary films about the Vietnam War will be shown all-day in the Memorial’s Reynolds Theater. A Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin (VVLP) from the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commission will be presented to eligible recipients who have not yet received one. All men and women who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, anywhere in the world are classified as Vietnam-era veterans and are eligible to receive a VVLP.
Members of the public, veterans and their families are invited to attend both the Friday and Saturday events at the Virginia War Memorial. There is no charge to attend or visit the Memorial and free parking is available onsite at 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA 23220.
“Our Commonwealth is proudly home to nearly 700,000 military veterans – one of the largest number of veterans per population of any state. One in every 12 of our fellow citizens has worn the uniform of one of your Armed Forces and of these men and women, more than 200,000 served during the Vietnam War era,” said Chuck Zingler, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS).
“Of those, more than 1,300 were killed in action and another 45 remain classified as Missing in Action (MIA). Nine Virginians received the Congressional Medal, our Nation’s highest military honor, for their heroism during the Vietnam War. They are honored today in the Virginia Medal of Honor Gallery at the Virginia War Memorial which I encourage all to visit.”
“Sadly, many of our Vietnam War veterans never received the thanks and appreciation they earned and deserved when they returned home to America. This is why it remains so important that all of us join together to honor and recognize their service by observing National Vietnam War Veterans Day,” Commissioner Zingler added.
For more information about the National Vietnam War Veterans Day Celebration & remembrance and Open House at the Virginia War Memorial, please visit www.vawarmemorial.org, www.dvs.virginia.gov or call 804.786.2060.
