Memorial Day 2012: 50 Years Later, Honoring Vietnam Veterans

COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration

Interactive Timeline

National Announcement and Proclamation Ceremony

Memorial Day at The Wall, May 28, 2012

Presidential Proclamation for the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

May 28, 2012 - Vietnam veterans never got the homecoming many feel they deserved. On Monday, a group of veterans, the Department of Defense and others will begin the first of many ceremonies to honor those who served and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. Events will be planned over the next 13 years, concluding with the fall of Saigon. Many will gather Monday at the Vietnam Memorial Wall for a wreath ceremony, including President Obama.

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KEYES: He spearheaded the effort to build the memorial wall, and worked with the government on today's event. Scruggs says no president has spoken there since 1993, and he thinks president Obama will have something important to say to veterans today, especially since this commander-in-chief was too young to be a part of the Vietnam era.

SCRUGGS: It's probably even better to have someone who is thanking, almost, his elders for something they did. There's a more humble quality associated with it. Transcript>>>

President Obama's Speech at the Vietnam War Memorial