KINGSFORD — March 29 will live on in perpetuity as the day chosen to celebrate the veterans who served during the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by then-President Donald J. Trump, designating March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

March 29, 1973, was the official day the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, was disestablished and the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.

It is also the day that Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. Although this is the official day that combat troops departed Vietnam, the United States still had a huge active present there. We remained active in Vietnam until the fall of Saigon, on April 30, 1975, when the embassy was overrun by the citizens of the country trying to escape the advancing army of occupation.

During the Vietnam War, the American citizens became increasing disenchanted with the government and its position on the war. There were protests, riots and ridicule of the U.S. military personal at the time. Soldiers returning from Vietnam were encouraged to not wear their military clothing because of the extreme negativity of the American citizens. Soldiers were spat on, things were thrown at them, they were called some very vile names, including baby killers and murderers.

Many of these brave men and women suffered lifelong mental health issues, to include PTSD, depression, anxiety, and disassociation to name a few.

We now know these military service members were exposed to a defoliation chemical, known as Agent Orange, that was found to cause a variety of cancers, heart conditions, thyroid issues, diabetes and Parkinson’s. Pregnant women suffered miscarriages, stillbirths and children born with life-threatening illnesses.

These men and women banded together and lobbied Congress to pass laws that recognized many of these conditions to be caused by Agent Orange. With this came the original “presumptive” conditions for the Vietnam War veterans. This allowed for these service members to file claims for those presumptive conditions and be compensated for the illnesses and injuries they suffered because of their exposure to Agent Orange.

Still today, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars service organizations, to name a few, fight for them and all veterans to make sure that the government continues to add presumptive conditions to the list not only for the Vietnam veteran but all veterans who have served.

In recent years we have seen the passage of the Blue Water Navy Act, PACT Act and the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Improvement Act. All of these have passed due to the persistent and dedication of the aforementioned service organizations. If not for Vietnam veterans raising their collective voices and pushing for acknowledgement of service-related illnesses, the fight for compensation would be even more difficult than it is today.

Many veterans who followed after these brave men and women, are receiving benefits because of that fight.

In Dickinson County, we recognize and honor all military veterans. The Dickinson County Veteran Service Office is where every veteran can come in and be helped. We provide help in filing claims, answering questions and providing all around services and information to veterans. Whether they need help getting services at the VA, getting copies of their military records, food insecurity, homelessness, financial issues, jobs, etc., we are available to provide help and referrals to the appropriate agencies. Each veteran has their own story, and we are interested in hearing that story and honoring our veterans every day of the year.

On Friday, March 28, the Veteran Service Office invites all Vietnam veterans and their families to come in for a social from 10 a.m. to noon. The office will provide coffee and cookies to thank and honor veterans for their service.

Upcoming events:

— Every Friday through Lent except April 4: Fish fry from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain. Menu includes smelt, cod or shrimp, with fries or homemade chips, for eat-in or take-out. Call 906-774-5797 to place an order.

— Every Tuesday: Bingo, doors open at 4 p.m., at the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain.

— Last Sunday of each month: All-you-can-eat breakfast served from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 145 in Norway.

— March 26: Dickinson County Veterans Alliance meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain.

— March 28: Honoring Vietnam veterans with a social from 10 a.m. to noon at the Dickinson County Veteran Service Office, 2301 Woodward Ave. in Kingsford. All Vietnam veterans and their dependents are invited to join for coffee and cookies.

— Every third Thursday of each month: DAV meeting at 6 p.m. at the VFW on U.S. 2 in Iron Mountain.

— Every second Thursday of each month: American Legion Kingsford meeting at 6 p.m. for dinner, with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. Call 906-747-7697 for more information.