WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS

Leon County sponsors an annual recognition of the veterans of the Vietnam War.  It is held March 30, generally at 8:30 am, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on the corner of South Monroe Street and Apalachee Parkway.

It is designed to be an opportunity for the community to thank those who served during a period in which their return home was not pleasant.  During the Vietnam War, more than 2.7 million Americans served, and an approximate 58,000 were killed.  At the end of the war, veterans were not honored with parades, marches or speeches.  They returned home to silence, and in some cases, were vilified for having served their country during a very controversial war. 

Our county is home to more than 18,000 veterans, and it is estimated that about one-fourth of them served during the Vietnam War.  We need to welcome them home officially and show our appreciation for our veterans who fought for a cause they didn't always understand.  To all of those men and women--THANK YOU.