North Shore communities will observe National Vietnam War Veterans Day with events and ceremonies on Friday and Saturday.
In Salem, a dedication of a new fire truck will honor all Salem veterans, with particular recognition to Vietnam veterans. The dedication will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Salem Fire Department Headquarters, 48 Lafayette St. All are welcome to attend a reception at Salem VFW, 95 Derby St., immediately following the ceremony.
Beverly will hold two events on Saturday to honor Vietnam veterans. The first will be held at 10 a.m. at the Vietnam Memorial on the grounds of Beverly Hospital, 75 Herrick St. That will be followed by an 11 a.m. Remembrance Ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial Plaza at Ellis Square in downtown Beverly.
In Swampscott, the Lynn/Swampscott Disabled American Veterans Chapter 64 will host a DAV Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Swampscott Senior Center, 200R Essex St. An RSVP is required. Contact Commander Jeffrey Blonder at 617-967-6892 or by email at e_f_gilmore_dav_chapter64@yahoo.com.
On Saturday, Swampscott will hold a Vietnam Veterans Day Wreath Laying at 10 a.m. at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial on Monument Avenue. Light refreshments will be served. No RSVP is required.
Cape Ann Veterans Services will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial on Stacy Boulevard in Gloucester on Friday at 11 a.m., followed by a Veterans Luncheon at noon at the Gloucester Elks Lodge No. 892. The events are open to all veterans and their families.
Surrounding communities are also invited to attend a Vietnam War Memorial Rededication Ceremony at North Andover High School on Saturday at 10 a.m. Guest speakers will include Timothy Sullivan, a former Vietnam POW, and Jon Santiago, secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Services of Massachusetts.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day was established in 2017. March 29 was designated as the date to commemorate the day in 1973 when the last U.S. combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the day the last prisoners of war were released, according to The United States of American Vietnam War Commemoration website.