USINDOPACOM and Vietnam Veterans of America co-host Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony

28 March 2025

From U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

HONOLULU, Hawaii — U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, along with Vietnam Veterans of America, Oahu Chapter 858, co-host a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025.

Download

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers a keynote address during the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025.

SLIDESHOW | images | 250328-N-PC065-1596 Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers a keynote address during the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

SLIDESHOW | images | 250328-N-PC065-1417 The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250328-N-PC065-1524 The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250328-N-PC065-2025 The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

The joint Service Color Guard presents the colors during the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025.

SLIDESHOW | images | 250328-N-PC065-1305 The joint Service Color Guard presents the colors during the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

The University of Hawaii Navy ROTC Drill Team performs during the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025.

SLIDESHOW | images | 250328-N-PC065-1709 The University of Hawaii Navy ROTC Drill Team performs during the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, March 28, 2025. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of USINDOPACOM, provided a keynote address at the ceremony, where he recognized the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans and gold star families. He also highlighted lessons of professionalism, duty and readiness that current service members carry with them, to continue the legacy of those who came before them.

“Here in Hawaii, 80 years after World War II and 50 years after Vietnam, we understand the strategic importance of this location,” Paparo said. “We understand what it means to be the vanguard of American security in the Pacific. And we understand these lessons because you taught them to us.”

The University of Hawaii Navy ROTC Drill Team performed during the ceremony, and along with Kaiser High School JROTC, assisted with the laying of ceremonial wreaths.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived on American soil.