Chambana Sun

In an April 10 Facebook post, Rep. Chris Miller (R-Charleston) marked National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

“March 29th was National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day to remember, honor, and thank our brave Vietnam War veterans,” he wrote. “Thank you to these incredible Americans, and thank you to our brave men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line, each and every day, to ensure we can live freely in the greatest country the world has ever seen!”

The Housing Assistance Council reported Illinois is home to 570,264 veterans, noting 36.6% of them served in the Vietnam War.

This year's National Vietnam War Veterans Day is the 50th anniversary of the celebration. And for the first time, on March 29, 2023, Illinois had a celebration of the first official "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" after lawmakers voted to celebrate the day as such.

Fox32 News reported that "The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Legion Post 73 and the Military Order of the Purple Heart hosted a pinning ceremony in Taylorville on March 29.

In 2012, in a proclamation highlighting the the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, then-President Barack Obama said: "Now, Therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 28, 2012, through November 11, 2025, as the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to honor our Vietnam veterans, our fallen, our wounded, those unaccounted for, our former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities."

Miller was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the International Trade & Commerce Committee.