A VFW Post in the Land of 10,000 Lakes held a special ceremony to commemorate Vietnam War veterans for National Vietnam War Veterans Day in March.
Many Vietnam War veterans attended a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony earlier in April at VFW Post 4456 in Gilbert, Minn. VFW POST 4456 PHOTOAs reported in Virginia, Minnesota’s Mesabi Tribune, emotions ran high at VFW Post 4456 in Gilbert, Minnesota, during a moving tribute for the area’s Vietnam War veterans. Attendees were amazed by the display of respect shown to Vietnam War veterans in attendance and the war’s KIAs from the region.
"The whole thing was something I'll never forget," said VFW Post 4456 Auxiliary member Candace Barshaw, according to the Mesabi Tribune. “The emotion was so strong.”
National Vietnam War Veterans Day was first observed in 2017 after then-President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act. Prior to this, Minnesota’s first Vietnam War Veterans Day was in 2008 after then-Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty issued a proclamation, making Minnesota one of the first states to recognize the day.