Story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor
On March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day designated to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans, the Oklahoma History Center (OHC) held its ninth annual service commemoration pinning ceremony.
This day was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. military units from South Vietnam in 1973. The ceremony at OHC was a tribute to the service men and women who served in any branch of the US Armed Forces anywhere in the world during the Vietnam War era.
The free and open-to-the-public event occurred in the Devon Great Hall of the OHC, with the Capitol in the background, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The ceremony began with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 145th Army Band sharing patriotism through music.
Former Oklahoma Representative Gary Banz, now director of the Villages OKC Veteran and Patriot Initiative, welcomed the 200 people who gathered that day. The recognition pins were to honor any U.S. veteran who served on active duty or in the reserves in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, Vietnam or otherwise. Family members of any veteran unable to be present were also to receive a pin.
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director, retired Rear Admiral James “Jay” Bynum, delivered the keynote address. In his speech, he put the war and the soldiers’ contribution to freedom in perspective, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of the veterans and the importance of remembering their service.
“Today, March 29, holds a profound place in our nation’s history—it marks the 50th anniversary of the official disestablishment of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and the departure of the last U.S. combat troops in 1973,” Bynum said. “This day also saw the release of the final group of acknowledged prisoners of war from Hanoi—a poignant moment in the long and difficult road toward healing after the Vietnam Conflict.”
“While we gather to reflect on this date, we also look ahead to April 30, when we will mark 50 years since the fall of Saigon in 1975. That event brought the Vietnam War to its conclusion and, for many, represented both an ending and a beginning—a time for reflection on the sacrifices of those who served. These intertwined dates in March and April remind us of historical milestones and the enduring resilience of the men and women who served during this challenging chapter in our nation’s history.”
Bynum was a career F/A-18 pilot deployed to support Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The event was further steeped in patriotism when retired Navy Captain John Keilty, who heads up the Junior ROTC at Del City High School, inducted two of his senior cadets into the service. He mentioned they had performed with others in more than 300 honor guard presentations during their high school career.
“One of the greatest privileges a commissioned officer has is to be able to give a recruit or a Sailor the oath to defend and protect the Constitution,” Keilty said in an interview. “And being able to induct Sebastian Stanton, the Cadet CO headed for the Marines, and to Eva Black, the Cadet XO, was such an honor that I will cherish forever.”
Eva Black signed on to be a gunner’s mate in the Navy, while Sebastian Stanton signed on to be a small arms machinist in the Marine Corps. “Our Military will continue to be the best in the world when we enlist outstanding young men and women like Sebastian and Eva,” Keilty said.
The event also featured speakers and many former soldiers with their color guard representing the South Vietnamese community.
Vietnamese refugees arrived in Oklahoma City after Saigon’s fall, significantly transforming the city’s cultural landscape. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the Vietnamese population in Oklahoma City increased from 2,000 in 1975 to 10,000 by 1990, a testament to the war’s lasting impact.
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act designated March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day, to be commemorated with annual nationwide events. The act stipulates that only Vietnam War veterans and their families are recognized.
The Vietnam War saw 58,286 Americans killed in action, 155 Medal of Honor winners, and still lists 1,615 soldiers as missing in action. The Missing Man Table, sometimes called the “Fallen Comrade Table,” was displayed. It reminds viewers of fallen, missing, or imprisoned U.S. Military service members.
The commemoration ceremony continued in recognition of the services represented by having the service members gathered stand service by service. The branches were represented by 3 Marines, 12 Navy, 20 Air Force, and 30 Army service members in the audience.
The crowd honored the service members as Banz read out their names and service details, including their highest rank, to those assembled individually. Each veteran had their veteran lapel pins affixed by Del City High School Junior ROTC members as a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.
One historical quote helps put the event in perspective.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Brazelton’s (four-time Silver Star recipient and former Vietnam War POW) said at the July 8, 2015 Congressional Ceremony on the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin “I have had a number of medals pinned on me in my day and this is certainly the highest ranking and the most honors I have received for any pinning ceremony. Even though it might just be a lapel pin to a lot of people, this is like a medal to the Vietnam veterans.”
