SDHC Seeks to Honor Veterans Through Programming
Beginning in 2012, March 29th was commemorated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day in honor of the U.S. active-duty military personnel who fought, and all too often died, during the conflict that lasted from November 1,1955 to April 30, 1975. President Barack Obama’s proclamation of Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29, 2012, marked the 50th anniversary of the date when the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam and the last of 591 U.S. prisoners of war were released. Five years later, President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, making the date of March 29th a permanent, annual day of recognition designed to honor all men and women who served during the conflict, as well as their families.
The Vietnam War, a conflict that lasted 19 ½ years, took a tremendous toll. The United States formally entered the conflict with combat troops in March 1965, with U.S. involvement peaking in 1969 and withdrawal beginning in 1969. Of the more than 3 million U.S. military personnel who served during the era, 1.5 million saw combat, and 58,220 died. Moreover, 150,000 were wounded; 21,000 were permanently disabled; 830,000 (15%) suffered from PTSD. And many of those veterans call South Dakota home.
As of early 2026, a total of at least 18,606 Vietnam veterans currently live in South Dakota, comprising a significant proportion – nearly 35% – of the state’s total of 60,000 veterans. Ranking only behind the number of veterans who served during the Gulf War Era (27,336), the number of Vietnam-era veterans living in the state is declining, and it is imperative that their service and their sacrifice continue to be acknowledged, honored, and appreciated. SDHC is privileged to take part in that effort.
Over the years, SDHC has taken great pride in honoring our military men and women. From programs like Literature & Medicine in 2010, to the Veterans’ Writing Contests incorporated into the annual Festival of Books for several years, to Veterans’ Writing Workshops sponsored by our Speakers Bureau program, SDHC seeks to provide unique opportunities for veterans to share their stories and experiences. Cuts to SDHC’s federal funding in the Spring of 2025 have placed a temporary hold on all programming efforts, including those for veterans; but SDHC remains committed to the development of future programming and welcomes suggestions and recommendations for this effort. If you have an idea or request for future programs designed for veterans and their families, SDHC want to hear from you, and we welcome you to send those ideas to Program Coordinator, Stacy Chidaushe, at stacy@sdhumanities.org