CHENANGO COUNTY — In 2008, New York State enacted a law designating March 29 as National Vietnam Veterans Day. This day is dedicated to honoring the US military veterans who served during the Vietnam War.

The National Conference of State Legislatures states that "Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families and is part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home more than 40 years ago."

It is generally viewed that on March 29, 1973, remaining combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived home to American soil.

The Vietnam War saw over 8 million US troops in service, as estimated by the US Department of Defense. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, approximately 3.4 million American soldiers were deployed to Southeast Asia, and of that number, there were over 58,000 deaths.