El Paso County honors 50th anniversary of end of Vietnam War, veterans recount service and difficulties on return

El Paso County’s Commissioner's Court on April 28 adopted a resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and recognized local Vietnam veterans and the families of those killed or missing in action.

The resolution memorialized U.S. service members who served from 1955 to 1975 and cited the official casualty figure cited in the meeting: 58,281 American service members killed during the Vietnam War, including 209 from El Paso. The court’s resolution expressed condolences to families and affirmed a commitment to care for veterans.

After the resolution was presented, representatives of Vietnam veterans and other local veterans organizations addressed the court. A speaker from the Vietnam Veterans of America described the continuing needs of aging Vietnam veterans, the experience of being poorly received at home after returning from the war, and the work local veterans have done to create memorials and keep those memories alive. County veteran services staff and other veterans thanked the court for the recognition and urged ongoing support for veterans services.

The court approved the resolution by motion (mover: Judge Ricardo Samaniego; second: Commissioner Coronado), and the motion carried. The courthouse recognized veteran attendees and invited them to appear for a group photograph and remarks.

The discussion included personal remembrances and calls to ensure veterans’ legacy and needs are not forgotten as the Vietnam generation ages.