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| THE COLONY NEWS | MARCH 2024 | 17 On March 29, 2017, the President of the United States signed the annual National Vietnam Veterans Day into law. is long- overdue tribute was established to honor ALL men and women who served in the US Armed Forces of South Vietnam, the United States Armed Forces, and other South Vietnam-backed allies. The Vietnam War began November 1, 1955. On August 5, 1964, the United States Armed Forces became officially involved in the conflict. The Vietnam War ended with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war and the last combat troops departed Vietnam. The harsh realities of the 20-year brutal Vietnam War are staggering: Over 2.7 million members of the Armed Forces served. More than 150,000 were wounded, many endured years of torture in prisoner of war (POW) camps, some declared dead or missing in action (MIA). Over 500,000 Vietnam veterans have suffered and continue to suffer from the horrors of war: over 200,000 suicides, alcoholism, generations of broken families, homelessness, post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Agent Orange-related illnesses: Parkinson's disease, diabetes, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, neuropathy, COPD, heart disease, cancer. Over 58,000 young lives were lost in service to our country, and their names are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Names are still being added to the Memorial, as in recent years more remains of our soldiers have been found — brave soldiers who have finally come home. The average age on The Wall: 22 years and younger. Today, there are fewer than 850,000 living Vietnam War veterans, many of whom are disabled and still fighting for VA benefits. March 29 - National Vietnam Veterans Day By Jim Wooldridge Veterans Happy Hour Mike Adam, Charlie Stewart, Glenn Sailer, George Langham, Duane Roberts, and Bill Connelly toast to the Vets Ellen Micheli, Charlie Stewart, Denise Grandi, Sharon Boll, and George Langham chill and chat Linda Santana gives 94-year-old Ken Weinke a hug Bill Connelly is welcomed by Brenda Sindorf Ray Santana displays his war photos John Celentano and Hank Bruttomesso meet and greet Wes DeHoll, Linda Traylor, and Jim Wooldridge strike a pose