Commander of Post 129 Huntsville Chris Sauer, a veteran, salutes while taps is played during an event marking National Vietnam Veterans Day at Layton Commons Park in Layton on Monday.
According to www.vietnamwar50th.com, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, signed into law by former President Donald Trump, designates March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The website says the date is a fitting choice since March 29, 1973, was the day the last U.S. combat troops departed the country.
During Monday’s events in Layton, Gary Harter, executive director of the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, and Dennis Howland, a national at-large director of Vietnam Veterans of America, placed a wreath at a replica of the Vietnam Memorial while others left mementos. According to Utah Vietnam Veterans of America, the wall at the Layton park is 80% of the original size of the memorial in Washington, and it is the only replica of its size west of the Mississippi.
