A visitor touches a name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — Dozens of Vietnam veterans and their supporters gathered Thursday afternoon at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War.
The ceremony began with opening remarks and a procession led by the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the Military District of Washington and a rendition of the National Anthem.
“We’re here together — brothers and sisters in arms — with friends and people who are part of our lives,” said Jack McManus, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Veterans Tom Burke, left, and Ed Wilkinson carry a wreath to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard of the Military District of Washington prepares to show the colors on April 24, 2025, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Veterans Tom Burke, left, and Ed Wilkinson place a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
A veteran holds his hand over his heart on April 24, 2025, for the Pledge of Allegiance during a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
McManus also recognized the children of troops killed in Vietnam who attended the ceremony.
“They’ve endured the pain of 50 years for a war this country wouldn’t recognize their [parents’] service in,” he said.
VVA member Grant Coates also spoke and emphasized the importance of remembrance.
“We, as Vietnam veterans, have an obligation to never forget. We must keep the stories of the dead alive, keeping their existence current,” he said. “Reflecting back over 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, we never forget. It’s still raw.”
Medal of Honor recipient Paris Davis speaks at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
A bugler plays Taps at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Veterans Larry Googins, left, and Grant Coates shake hands at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on April 24, 2025, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The keynote speaker was Paris Davis, a Medal of Honor recipient.
“The fight we had and the things we did — we hope they made America a little bit better,” Davis said. “You’re here to share the birthday, the 50th birthday of what we did and where we did it.”
Following the speeches, veterans made their way to the memorial to lay three wreaths. Standing at attention before the wall, they listened in silence as a military bugler played taps, bringing the ceremony to a close.
