FORT HARRISON/ HELENA, MT,--March 6, 2017

Montana Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, March 30, 2017.
Montana, a Proud Partner with The U.S.A. Vietnam War Commemoration, is commemorating Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day on March 30, 2017 throughout the State.
This is a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Event sponsored by The Montana Governor's Office, the Montana Department of Military Affairs, The Montana Military Museum, American Legion Post #2 (Lewis & Clark Post), the Oro Fino Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Veterans Administration (See www.vietnam50th.org.) "Proud partner(s) with The U.S. A. Vietnam War Commemoration".
In 2011 the 62nd Montana Legislature enacted into law House Bill 255, entitled, "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day". The act established that annually on March 30th that Montana should recognize and thank its Vietnam Veterans with appropriate tributes.
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This date was chosen based on the language of the 1973 Vietnam Peace Accords, in where the United States agreed to remove the remaining military units from the Republic of Vietnam within 60 days of signing that document. Approximately 5500 personnel remained in Vietnam on March 29th, 1973. Based on travel, March 30th was the arrival date in the US.
In 2011, the United States Senate passed a congressional measure recognizing the 30 of March 2011, and every year to follow as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. The Montana Legislature simultaneously acted with the passage of HB 255. This established the day following the official end day of United States military presence in RVN.
Montana state/community level event(s) are encouraged to recognize the over 36,000 Montana men and women who served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1959-1975. 268 Montana men paid the ultimate price either killed in action (KIA) or died from non-hostile causes during this period. Twenty-two (22) Montanans were recognized as Prisoners of War (POW) and/or Missing in Action (MIA). Today five of our Montana POW/MIA's has been returned home and efforts to locate and return the remainder go on day by day.

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Currently there are approximately 34,181 Vietnam men and women veterans who call Montana home. This is as of September 2016 (reference VA.Gov statistics). This number includes Vietnam veterans who have moved to the Big Sky after the close of the Vietnam War.
Helena Area Activities: A program is scheduled to be conducted at the Montana State Capital Complex on March 30th, 2017. This program will be a combination of Veterans Honor Walk around the Capital Complex followed by a Ceremony at the Freedom Tree where the Vietnam POW-MIA plaque, re-dedicated on September 16th, 2015, is located.
Governor Steve Bullock, Major General Matthew Quinn is scheduled to speak. , proclamation plus letters from the Governor, Congressional and local support are to also be read
Dr. Richard Fox, Phd, a Vietnam Veterans with two tours in Vietnam ans noted historian concentrating on the legacy of Custer in Western History currently the Chairman of the Helena Area Military Affairs Committee is the keynote sspeaker. Come and help us recognize our Vietnam Veterans, Families and Friends.
A reminder as to the schedule:
1000-1030 - Gather at the Veterans and Pioneers Building (Montana Historical Society corner of Roberts and 6th Avenue East. 1030 hours Step off: Walk will progress west in front of the State Capital to North Montana. Turning south the Walk will continue on
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Montana Avenue to Lockey Avenue; Turning east on Lockey Avenue, the Walk proceeds to the southeast corner of the Capital building (Freedom Tree/POW-MIA Memorial site) where the Ceremony will be held. The Honor Walk will be on the sidewalks only.
The Ceremony will start at 1100 hours. The Ceremonial site is located outdoors so dress appropriately. In case of inclement weather the actual ceremony can be moved into The Atrium of the Mazurek building
Vietnam Veterans, Gold Star Families, POW-MIA families' can receive a 50th Anniversary Pin for attending. Just ask the Walk Marshalls.
Questions: Call 406-235-0290/406-443-3475