Virtual Tributes Being Accepted For Vietnam War Veterans Day

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs is collecting virtual tributes of Montgomery County Vietnam War and Vietnam-era veterans. The tributes will be shared on the group's website for National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which is on March 29.

The day recognizes U.S. Armed Forces and Uniformed Services personnel who served between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, regardless of the location of service.

"A special day has been created to honor the veterans who served in Vietnam and during the Vietnam era," said Wayne Miller, a Vietnam veteran who now chairs the County Commission on Veterans Affairs. "This website enables people of our current generation to learn more about the Americans who served during the Vietnam War. The website provides details on how the war influenced the rest of their lives. It also pays tribute to those who gave their lives when asked to serve their country."

To share your story, or the story of a friend or family member, email Carly.Clem@montgomerycountymd.gov and provide the following information:

• Servicemember or veteran's name.
• Your name (if submitting on behalf of a servicemember or veteran) and your relationship to the individual.
• Branch of service and rank
• Years of service
• Brief narrative of their service
• Live in or once lived in Montgomery County. If you attended high school here, name school from where you graduated
• Photo(s) (preferably one during service time and one present-day)

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are 36,264 veterans living in the county. Of that total, 10,467 are Vietnam War or Vietnam-era veterans, according to county officials.

About 130 residents were killed in Vietnam, officials said. Their names are on the county's Vietnam Memorial Wall at Rockville's Memorial Plaza. A video about the memorial dedication can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QwL-Z81Uk.