Las Cruces observes Welcome Home Veterans Day at Veterans Memorial Park
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (March 31, 2025) – On March 29, the Las Cruces Vet Center held “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” at Veterans Memorial Park honoring local veterans during several commemorations. White Sands Missile Range Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Cordery, Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez, and New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services leadership attended the event. The day opened with the raising of the Garrison flag and the reading of the 398 New Mexicans who fell in the war to a crowd of over 150 people who gathered to honor those who served.
The United States withdrew combat support units from Vietnam on March 29, 1973, ending the Vietnam War as a result of the Paris Peace Accords which were signed on January 27, 1973, to end the conflict and restore peace in the region. The Vietnam War lasted 20 years ending in 1975, and more than nine million Americans served on active duty during those two decades.
March 29 is recognized annually as National Vietnam War Veterans Day to honor those who served in the war fighting against the communist North Vietnam. Due to many Americans opposing the conflict, many of these service members returned home to poor treatment from the public. To honor the sacrifices these service members made, the federal government started this observance in 2012.
Cordery was a keynote speaker for this observance and told incredible stories of those who were impacted by brave American service members in the war, including a close friend who was saved along with his father and several prisoners of war by a team of American soldiers from the North Vietnamese. After becoming an American citizen, to show his thanks to those Vietnam veterans, he joined the U.S. Army and became an Airborne Ranger, and every day owes his life and freedom to those who served in the Vietnam war.
“This is just one of many stories that tells the importance of the Vietnam War. So many lives saved, and futures changed because of your service. This is why it mattered,” said Cordery.
Cordery also reflected on how current service members are appreciated and thanked for their commitments because of the lessons learned from the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans returning home. Cordery, who’s father also served in the Vietnam war, reflected on his deep admiration of the New Mexico veterans and those who had fallen in the war.
“Our great nation owes you and those like you in cities across the country a debt of gratitude. Those of us serving in today’s modern military will never know what it was like for each of you when you came home. We won’t know what it is like because you all blazed a path for better treatment of Americas sons and daughters. Making sure that every service member returning home from defending our nation is greeted with cheers and thanks. You fought to ensure that we always return to a better place,” said Cordery.
“This event in recognizing our veterans is so important as they are represented in our community. Our veterans stand united, with courage, and with pride in serving their country and community. That is the example we need especially now. This is a tremendous healing process for our veterans as well to know they are seen, appreciated, valued, and loved,” said Enriquez.
Advocacy groups attended the event offering information to veterans in need of assistance. Veterans in crisis can connect with qualified responders at the VA’s Veterans Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255, texting 838255 or visiting www.veteranscrisisline.net.