DowntownSD

On March 29th, in commemoration of the 51st anniversary of when the last U.S. troops left Vietnam and the final group of American prisoners of war (POWs) were freed and left Hanoi, the USS Midway Museum will pay tribute to all U.S. military veterans who served during the Vietnam War.

51st Commemoration Ceremony
March 29, 2024, at 9 a.m.
USS Midway Museum Flight Deck
Free and open to the public

The ceremony’s guest speaker is retired Navy Cmdr. Curt Dosé. A Navy pilot with nearly 200 combat missions over North Vietnam, Curt will not only describe his harrowing experience during that war but also his return to Vietnam more than 40 years later. It is a powerful story larger than the war itself and speaks to the healing that can takes place over decades. A special wreath-laying and missing-man flyover will also highlight the ceremony.

For over two centuries, U.S. servicemembers have shed their blood in wars and combat missions across the globe. Yet, those who served in Vietnam were among the first to not receive the heroes’ welcome they unequivocally deserved upon their return. For the USS Midway Museum, it’s essential that we continue to honor these extraordinary veterans, even five decades later, for their selflessness and sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

It’s important that all Americans understand that the responsibility for war should never fall on the shoulders of those who fight. It’s also critical to ensure that future generations remember the valor and resilience demonstrated by our Vietnam War veterans on the distant battlefields of Southeast Asia.

Watch last year’s 50th Anniversary of the end of Vietnam War Ceremony video on Midway’s YouTube channel here.