Battle Creek VA Medical Center

Color Guard from Fort Custer National Cemetery at the Commemoration Event.

The Battle Creek VA Health Care Delivery System honored Vietnam Veterans in honor of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration on March 29,2016 along with other VA facilities throughout the United States.

This is partnership with Department of Defense 50th Anniversary Commemoration initiative to Honor and Thank as many of the 7.2 Million living Vietnam Veterans and the 9 million families of those who served from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

History makes crystal clear the importance of this Commemoration. We can not change the past, but we can take the time now to honor those who served during the Vietnam era.  Vietnam was a long war, and accordingly a long commemoration period is planned. By presidential proclamation, the Commemoration extends through Veterans Day 2025.

We will be forever grateful to the service of the Vietnam Veterans.  Other events will take place in the future to honor these Veterans.  "The staff throughout the Battle Creek VA Health Care Delivery System works hard every day to thank all Veterans and to provide the best care possible for the Veterans that we serve. " said Dr. Mary Beth Skupien, Ph.D., Medical Center Director.

As World War II and the Korean War reached their 50th anniversary, our nation commemorated our warriors' service and sacrifice.
Now, authorized by Congress and the president, and on behalf of the nation, we have the opportunity to do what should have been done 50 years ago: welcome our Vietnam Veterans home with honor, and thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice.  "Our goal is to formally recognize and thank each of the over 18,000 Vietnam Veterans served by the Battle Creek Health Care Delivery System. " said Skupien.

March 29 is significant because March 29, 1973 marked the withdrawl of ground troops Vietnam and the end of the United States active involvement in the Vietnam War.   Many communities throughout the country celebrate March 29 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.