March 29 – National Vietnam War Veterans Day Observance
Memorial Day
The annual Memorial Day ceremony is co-hosted yearly by VVMF and the National Park Service to pay tribute to members of America’s armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and in all conflicts.
Learn more about this year’s Memorial Day at: https://www.vvmf.org/2023-Memorial-Day
In Memory Induction
The In Memory Program honors those who served in Vietnam, returned home and later died. Every year there is an induction ceremony to pay tribute to these men and women who sacrificed so much for their country.
Learn more about this year’s In Memory Induction Ceremony at: https://www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program/In-Memory-Ceremony/
Father's Day Rose Remembrance
Every Father’s Day, VVMF lays thousands of roses at the Memorial site. Each rose holds a personal message in honor of the fathers on The Wall, those who never had a chance to come home and start a family, and those who later died.
Red roses symbolize those killed in action. Yellow roses symbolize those missing in action. White roses with red tips symbolize those who died after the war ended.
Family, friends and visitors are invited to take part in laying roses during the event. It is a breathtaking site that demonstrates both the gratitude and the sacrifices of families impacted by war.
Learn more about the event at: www.vvmf.org/fathers-day.
PTSD Awareness Day
Some left Vietnam but Vietnam didn’t leave them. Nearly 3 million service members served in Vietnam and most returned home. But since then, thousands of Vietnam veterans have battled PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – and it has impacted their lives and the lives of their families in many ways. Returning without a proper homecoming compounded the issues veterans faced upon their return.
On June 27, 2022 – National PTSD Awareness Day – we brought light to the continuing toll of the war. The Vietnam War may be over, but the battle continues for many Vietnam veterans and their families to this day.
Watch the 2021 National PTSD Awareness Day candlelight event at: vvmf.org/PTSD-Awareness.
Agent Orange Awareness Candlelight Display
August 10, 1961 is the date thought to be the first day that the herbicide, known as Agent Orange, was sprayed in Vietnam. On August 10, 2020, VVMF held its first-ever Agent Orange awareness event. “Bring Light” illuminated the entire Vietnam Veterans Memorial site with orange candlelight — from The Wall itself to The Three Servicemen statue, the flagpole, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial statue and the In Memory plaque. Sponsoring a candle is one way to “bring light” to the suffering Agent Orange has spread since its first use on August 10th, 1961.
Veterans Day
The annual Veterans Day ceremony is co-hosted by VVMF and the National Park Service to pay tribute to all of our country’s service members and servicewomen, regardless of what conflict they served in. On this special day, prominent Americans from all walks of life come to the Memorial to deliver thought-evoking and patriotic speeches.
Watch the 2020 Veterans Day virtual commemoration at: vvmf.org/honorservice
Christmas Tree
Hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Volunteers, the Christmas Tree Ceremony is a beautiful tradition that remembers all who served and sacrificed. A Christmas tree is decorated and stands at the apex of The Wall throughout the holiday season.
Watch the 2020 Virtual Christmas Tree ceremony at: vvmf.org/christmas-2020.
See all of the photos from ceremonies and events hosted at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
See Ceremony Photos