On March 30, 2024, San Jose participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. A few svcMOAA members attended. Since the Obama era, all military who were on active duty between 1965-1975 are considered “Vietnam Veterans.”  Before, you had to have had boots on the ground there. The logic was you COULD have been sent over. You were ready.

The event featured a reading of all 142 Sons of San Jose who were killed in the conflict. I noticed that 1968-69 had the most deaths. A few Blue Star moms were in attendance. SJ Mayor Mark Mahan and his predecessor, Sam Liccardo, gave short talks.  San Jose State provided the AFROTC cadets as the honor guard.