Douglas County Proclaims March 29 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

Douglas County commissioners formally recognized Sunday, March 29, 2026, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Douglas County during the Roseburg VA Health Care System’s Third Annual Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event, held Wednesday at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman took part in the ceremony, which honored Vietnam veterans and their families through a day of recognition, remembrance, music, and ceremonial presentations. The event was hosted by the Roseburg VA Health Care System and centered on welcoming home veterans whose service was too often met without the gratitude they deserved.

A video of the ceremony is available on the Douglas County Government Facebook page.

Proclamation presented during ceremony

The proclamation, presented by Commissioner Tim Freeman on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, declares March 29 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Douglas County and encourages residents to honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their courage, service, and sacrifice.

The document also reflects on the broader national commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, which concluded in 2025, and recognizes March 29 as the day chosen to permanently honor Vietnam veterans. That date marks March 29, 1973, when the United States Military Assistance Command in Vietnam was disestablished and the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.

In the proclamation, county leaders said the commemoration stands as a promise that the country will never again allow veterans to return home without the welcome and respect they earned.

“The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration is a vow that we as a nation will never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our U.S. Armed Forces,” Freeman said during the ceremony. “With conviction, we pledge our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans who were denied a proper welcome home upon returning to U.S. soil more than 50 years ago.”

Copies of the proclamation were also presented to Vietnam veterans in attendance.

Event brought veterans, families and supporters together

The annual Welcome Home event included a reception and lunch for Vietnam veterans and their families, along with a full program of tributes and presentations.

Among the featured elements of the event:

• Reception and luncheon for Vietnam veterans and their families
• Memorial veterans wall, flag displays, and boot displays
• Welcome from Roseburg VA Health Care System Chief CDCE and master of ceremonies Traci Palmer
• Opening prayer by acting Chief RVAHCS Chaplain Patrice Borne
• Presentation of the colors by the Umpqua Valley Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 805 Honor Guard
• Opening remarks from RVAHCS Interim Director Dr. Christina Hansel Cellura
• Presentation from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, delivered by Appeals & Special Advocacy Director Joe Glover
• Remarks on the Honor Flight program from VVA Chapter 805 President Bill Duncan, with Southern Oregon Chapter Director Ken Wilson also in attendance
• A patriotic musical performance by Navy Band Northwest
• A ceremonial 21-gun salute by the VVA Chapter 805 Honor Guard, followed by taps performed on cornet by Navy Band Northwest
• A community response from Dennis “Ande” Anderson, a Vietnam veteran

Challenge coin ceremony honored each attending veteran

One of the event’s central moments was a special coining ceremony, during which each attending Vietnam veteran received a commemorative challenge coin in recognition of their service.

The significance of the coin was explained by retired U.S. Marine Corps Major Dr. Shawn Tyson, who shared the story behind the tradition before the presentation began.

Coin presenters included:

• Joe Glover, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
• Dr. Christina Hansel Cellura, Roseburg VA Health Care System
• Tom Kress, Douglas County commissioner
• Chris Boice, Douglas County commissioner
• Tim Freeman, Douglas County commissioner
• John Hanlin, Douglas County sheriff
• Brad O’Dell, Douglas County undersheriff
• Dan Loomis, Douglas County clerk
• Dr. Shawn Tyson

Music honored every military branch

The ceremony also featured a patriotic medley by Navy Band Northwest, including selections such as God Bless America, The Liberty Bell, Shenandoah, an Armed Forces hymn medley, Americana Medley, and the Navy Hymn.

The band also performed anthems for each military branch while Vietnam veterans were invited to stand during the anthem representing their branch of service:

• Army — The Army Goes Rolling Along
• Marine Corps — The Marines’ Hymn
• Navy — Anchors Aweigh
• Air Force — The U.S. Air Force
• Space Force — Semper Supra
• Coast Guard — Semper Paratus

A day centered on recognition and respect

The event concluded with a door prize drawing and closing remarks from Palmer, but the larger theme of the day remained clear throughout the ceremony: recognition, gratitude, and a long-overdue welcome home for Vietnam veterans.

County officials thanked the Roseburg VA Health Care System for inviting them to participate and for continuing to organize the annual event honoring local veterans.

A copy of the complete video presentation of the ceremony can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.