Join DAR at the National Welcome Home Event to Honor Vietnam Veterans

Kris Wood and Diane Halvorson, National Vice Co-Chairs, Commemorative Events, Camp Legacy

March 14, 2023

This month marks the sixth year of honoring and recognizing Vietnam Veterans and their families on Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, 2023.

"29 March is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. "

"The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are more than 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 10 million families of those who served from Nov 1, 1955 - May 15, 1975."

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans

To honor and recognize the 7 million veterans and 10 million family members of those who served, Daughters are being offered the opportunity to participate in the National Welcome Home event to honor and recognize Vietnam veterans. The Camp Legacy - Welcome Home is being hosted by the official United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. The event will be held on the National Mall, in Washington, DC, May 11-13, 2023. The National Society has been invited by the Vietnam War Commemoration to host a tent that will be a welcoming place for our Vietnam veterans, their families and guests to visit.

Members are encouraged to join the nation in welcoming home our Vietnam veterans by inviting veterans and their family members to watch the live stream of the event. Live streaming opportunities include the opening ceremonies, Saturday concert and a DAR podcast, highlighting DAR's involvement in the war effort. More information on live streaming will be shared at a later date.

Volunteers Needed:

If you live in the DC area or would like to travel to DC for the event, we are looking for member volunteers to help staff the tent. Volunteers will be welcoming veterans home, asking them to sign the “Welcome Home” banners and presenting Vietnam veterans with a custom made Honor - Respect - Never Forget DAR Challenge coin. Volunteers will be required to walk long distances and to stand for an entire three hour shift. If you are not able to do this, please do not sign up.

As DAR members, we want to stand out in the crowd of thousands, therefore there is a "uniform" for those participating in person at the event. You MUST purchase and wear the DAR Honor, Respect, Never Forget shirt. The shirts are available for purchase through CustomInk, also part of the uniform is white pants or a white skirt.

Daughters at home may purchase the shirt as well. It is the perfect shirt to wear at this event or your local welcome home Vietnam Veteran Commemoration, we appreciate your support of this project.

Purchase your Honor, Respect, Never Forget shirts here.

DAR members that have served in the military will be given first priority for volunteer positions. The remaining opportunities will be on a first come, first serve basis.

If interested in volunteering in-person in Washington DC, sign up for a shift here.

Read the volunteer requirements carefully before signing up!

The Vietnam War 50th Commemoration webpage has travel and lodging information here.

Photos Requested:

To honor, respect and never forget all Vietnam Veterans, the walls of the DAR exhibit will display photos of DAR members who served and Daughters who welcomed home Vietnam Veterans along with their families. Therefore, we are requesting your photos FROM the Vietnam war era, circa 1960’s and 1970’s that tell this story. These photos can include children and or spouses greeting their loved ones coming home.

If you have photos taken during the 1960s or 1970s and you would like to have them included in the DAR tent, please email your photos to Cheryl Odell at [email protected] Deadline for photos is March 20, 2023. (By submitting the photographs, the sender grants permission for their use to NSDAR.)

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