In recognition of National Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29, NAACP Camden County Branch honored branch members who are Vietnam Veterans during its general membership meeting on Thursday, March 21. Honorees were Vietnam War Veterans Dr. Joe Bryant, Mr. Ernest “Sarge” Stevens, and Pastor Leon Washington. Also honored were Vietnam Era Veterans, those who served during the war but were not assigned in-country: Lewis Burch, Sr., Alfred J. Hilliard, Vernon Higgins, Artie Jones, Jr., Rick Lockamy, and Luther Walker. Mr. Henry Horne, Sr. was recognized as a Korean War Veteran, having served during the Korean War in 1951.
On March 29, 1973, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded and the last U.S. combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam. President Barack Obama issued a proclamation naming March 29, 2012 as Vietnam Veterans Day in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
As stated in the 2012 Proclamation: Eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation. Thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of memories that would never fade. More than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our Nation. Now and forever, their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict’s greatest cost.
In December 2016, the Vietnam Veterans Day Coalition of States Council wrote President Elect Donald Trump and asked that legislation establishing March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day become one of the first acts of law passed during the 115th Congress. On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, officially recognizing March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day.
The Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committee (ASVA) of the NAACP Camden Branch, which organized the ceremony honoring the veterans, serves as a center of information on matters affecting Camden County residents who are veterans or are currently serving members of the armed forces, reserves, and state national guard. For more information, contact us at naacp5177@gmail.com
Additional photos from the ceremony can be found on the NAACP Camden County Branch Facebook page.
NAACP Camden honored its many members who have served in the U.S. military.