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Pierce County designates March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day
Summary
The Pierce County Council and Executive proclaimed March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day and invited local veterans to accept the proclamation and speak to the council.
The Pierce County Council and Executive proclaimed March 29, 2025, as Vietnam War Veterans Day during the March 25 council meeting, honoring local veterans and reading statistics cited in the proclamation.
Vice Chair Herrera read the proclamation into the record, reciting figures included in the document: approximately 2,700,000 U.S. service members served in the Vietnam War; more than 58,000 U.S. service members died; 1,047 of those fatalities were from Washington state and 111 were identified as Pierce County residents. The proclamation also cited the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency figure that 1,244 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War and estimated about 30,400 Vietnam War veterans live in Pierce County.
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kurt Scott accepted the proclamation and spoke about his family’s Vietnam-era service, post-war health impacts and gratitude for recognition. “It is a privilege to be here and speak,” Scott said, and described long-term health effects experienced by veterans, including an account of his father’s death from presumptive Agent Orange–related conditions.
Council members offered remarks of thanks and reflection. Council member Denson called the proclamation “beautiful” and said the event was touching for local veterans; others noted veterans’ ongoing civic contributions.
Ending: The council invited veterans to join the dais for a group photo and encouraged community commemoration of Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, 2025.
