A March 24 ceremony at Key West’s Veterans Memorial Garden in Bayview Park honored veterans who served in the military during the Vietnam War era — Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.
The event was organized by Monroe County Veterans Affairs, the City of Key West and the Florida Keys chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and featured speakers from the local active-duty military community as well as city and county officials, including County Mayor Jim Scholl, a retired Navy fighter pilot.
The ceremony was part of a 13-year commemoration that started in 2012 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
By proclamation signed by then-President Barack Obama, the Vietnam War Commemoration will continue through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025, when the commemoration period sunsets.
In 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act designated every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The date was chosen in recognition of March 29, 1973, when the last American troops departed Vietnam. On and around the same day, Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.
The Key West event was held March 24 so as not to interfere with the NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular featuring the Blue Angels.
At the ceremony, Vietnam-era veterans received commemorative lapel pins.
“These courageous veterans dedicated themselves to our nation, regardless of where they were needed. We owe them our gratitude for their sacrifices and patriotism, and we must always remember those who are missing in action or who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Monroe County Veterans Affairs Director Cathy Crane.
Any Vietnam-era veteran who could not attend the ceremony can submit a request for a pin by calling 305-453-8777.
