A memorial observance of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords was held on January 12th by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3278 and the Ladies Auxiliary. The signing of the Paris Peace Accords occurred on January 27th, 1973, ending America’s involvement in Vietnam.
The war which officially lasted 11 years became America’s longest war. Over 58,000 Services members were killed and over 153,000 were wounded with 2,338 still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).
The first American causality was OSS LTC Peter Dewey killed on September 26, 1945, well before the major involvement of American forces. In the last engagement of the war May 12-15, 1975, fifteen servicemen lost their lives though direct enemy contact and 3 others listed as MIA were executed by the Khmer Rouge during the Mayaguez incidence.
A moment of silence and prayer was offered for the fallen and MIA.
Some amazing and horrific numbers and facts that help tell the story of the Vietnam Conflict:
- 3,403,100 personnel served in the South East Asian Theater of operations.
- 91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served. (Westmoreland papers)
- 74% said they would serve again even knowing the outcome. (Westmoreland papers)
- There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non veterans of the same age group. (from a Veterans Administration study) (Westmoreland papers)
- Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison – only 1/2 of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes. (Westmoreland papers)
- 97% were discharged under honorable conditions; the same percentage of honorable discharges as ten years prior to Vietnam (Westmoreland papers)
- 85% of Vietnam Veterans made a successful transition to civilian life. (McCaffrey Papers)
- Vietnam veterans’ personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent. (McCaffrey Papers)
- Most Vietnam veterans were drafted. 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. (Westmoreland papers)
- Approximately 70% of those killed were volunteers. (McCaffrey Papers)
Pictured above: Commander King, Aux President Denison and CH Phelps listen as SV Cdr Masters reads the background information for the Paris Peace Accords Observance.
Pictured below: The Post recognized Vietnam Veterans Ken Robinson and Tom Denison.
Photos contributed by VFW Post 3278.
