If you can’t find a National Vietnam War Veterans Day event in your area, you can recognize the nation’s #veterans virtually. Download a frame for your profile picture on Facebook to show that you’ve served or support those who did. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to watch the wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Take a virtual tour of the Pentagon’s Vietnam War exhibit. Or send a #Vietnam veteran you know a message of thanks and goodwill. The nation’s veterans appreciate your recognition! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Tag: Vietnam Veterans of America
Celebrate National Vietnam War Veterans Day
This may be final year of Vietnam War 50th Year Commemoration observances, but National Vietnam War #Veterans Day will continue to be observed every year on March 29. It’s an opportunity to thank and honor the nation’s #Vietnam #veterans and their families for their #service and #sacrifice, as well as recognize the contributions of the armed forces, support organizations and American citizens during the war; highlight the technology, scientific and medical advances made in that time; and recognize the contributions of the nation’s international allies. Attend an event this weekend! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Election Day in America
It’s #Election Day in the U.S.A.! If you haven’t already #voted, it’s time to make your voice heard. While The Organizing Blog and Vietnam Veterans of America don’t endorse specific candidates, we encourage readers to keep former and current military service members’ best interests at heart when #voting. Do a little research to find out which of the candidates asking for your vote have the best records and positions on veterans benefits, VA funding, foreign policy and the kitchen-table issues important to veterans. Then, proceed to the polls and exercise your right as a citizen to cast your #ballot in a free and fair election. #VeteransVote
Veterans and the Vote
#Veterans are familiar with the struggle for #freedom and #democracy, having fought to protect the nation’s ideals at home and overseas. Once released from active duty, one of their most basic and important civic duties is to exercise the right to #vote.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 16 million veterans in the United States today. Numbers are expected to decline in the near future, as the nation’s smaller #military engages in fewer and more limited conflicts. About 6% of the population has had military service as of 2022.
In the presidential election, both parties have veterans on the ticket for the first time in 20 years. Prior service doesn’t predict policy, so fellow veterans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the candidates’ records on veterans issues before voting.
It’s a significant voting bloc that’s motivated by a range of issues. Veterans respond to “kitchen-table issues such as healthcare, education and the economy,” says The Hill, “but they are also concerned with, and directly affected by, national security and foreign policy matters.”
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs encourages veterans to vote and can point veterans and active-duty service members to voter registration resources, even those overseas. “VA is working to ensure all veterans can enjoy the rights that they earned and fought for,” VA says.
Vet the Vote is a national campaign to recruit veterans and military family members to become poll workers who can support safe, secure elections in a divisive political climate. In volunteering, veterans “show that it’s still possible for Americans to work together in patriotic service.”
If you would like to vote in honor of a veteran, many states have programs that allow registered voters name a veteran to ceremonially dedicate their vote — for whomever — to a specific veteran. File a form naming your honoree, and you’ll get a certificate, bumper sticker or lapel pin.
While its nonprofit status prohibits endorsement of specific candidates, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) continues to advocate on behalf of veterans, and encourages every veteran from every era to exercise their right to vote by Nov. 5. #Vote!
Thank a Veteran During Black History Month
Military careers became more attractive to African Americans following the desegregation of the armed forces during the Korean War, says The Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech, since they offered employment, education and training. As a result and in spite of the Vietnam War’s unpopularity, African American service members played key roles as soldiers, medics, pilots, sailors, marines and nurses. Celebrate Black History Month in February by #thanking a #veteran or making a #donation of time, money or used goods to organizations such as #VVA and ClothingDonations.org. #BlackHistoryMonth.