Governor Kathy Hochul designates March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day across New York State to honor the service and sacrifice of those who served

New York – Across New York, landmarks will glow in vivid colors Sunday night as the state pauses to remember a generation of service members whose sacrifices shaped American history. Governor Kathy Hochul has officially proclaimed March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in New York State, marking a moment of reflection and recognition for those who served during one of the most difficult periods in the nation’s military history.

The proclamation coincides with a solemn anniversary. March 29 marks the day in 1973 when the final group of American combat troops departed from South Vietnam, bringing an end to the long U.S. military presence in the conflict widely known as the Vietnam War. That withdrawal included roughly 2,500 American service members, closing a chapter that had stretched for years and left lasting impacts on veterans and their families.

To honor that legacy, the governor directed that 15 prominent landmarks across the state be illuminated in green, yellow and red on Sunday evening. Those colors hold deep symbolic meaning. They mirror the ribbon colors of the Vietnam Service Medal, an award presented to those who served in the conflict.

“Today, New York State landmarks will be lit in green, yellow and red — the colors of the Vietnam Service Medal — to recognize New York’s Vietnam Veterans and to honor those who died while serving their state and nation,” Governor Hochul said. “Many who served in Vietnam did not receive the appreciation and respect they had earned when they returned home. That is why today, and every day, we take the time to honor their courage and thank them for their service.”

The illuminated sites stretch from New York City to the state capital and beyond, creating a statewide tribute visible to millions of residents and visitors alike. Among the most recognizable locations participating in the tribute is One World Trade Center, whose towering silhouette has become one of the defining landmarks of New York’s skyline.

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Other locations scheduled to shine in the commemorative colors include the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Kosciuszko Bridge, and the Grand Central Terminal Pershing Square Viaduct. In Albany, buildings such as the State Education Building and the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building will also participate, alongside the sprawling Empire State Plaza complex.

Additional sites include the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge, the Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan, the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse, and the gateway at Albany International Airport. The illumination will also extend to the Fairport Lift Bridge spanning the historic Erie Canal, a structure long associated with the region’s heritage.

Together, the landmarks form a symbolic chain across the state—one that links urban centers, transportation hubs, historic sites and civic buildings in a shared gesture of remembrance.

For many veterans, such gestures carry special weight. The end of the Vietnam War did not bring the kind of homecoming celebrations that previous generations of soldiers had experienced. Instead, many returning service members found themselves navigating a deeply divided national mood, with public opinion about the war often spilling over onto the troops themselves.

Officials say commemorations like Vietnam Veterans Day are meant to correct that painful gap in recognition.

New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen emphasized the importance of remembrance and respect in a statement accompanying the proclamation.

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“On Vietnam War Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courage, sacrifice and enduring strength of All Who Served during one of the most challenging chapters in our nation’s history. For far too many Vietnam Veterans, the recognition and respect they deserved did not come when they returned home – but today, New York stands united in gratitude and remembrance. I thank Governor Hochul for her continued leadership and steadfast commitment to ensuring that All Who Served are seen, honored and supported. As our landmarks shine in the colors of the Vietnam Service Medal, may they serve as a visible reminder that their service is never forgotten, and that in New York, we proudly say what should have always been said: Welcome home.”

The numbers behind the remembrance are significant. Officials estimate that approximately 180,000 Vietnam-era veterans live in New York State today, many of them continuing to play active roles in their communities decades after their military service ended.

Yet the cost of the war is etched permanently into the nation’s memory. A total of 4,119 service members from New York lost their lives during the conflict. Their names are inscribed on the polished black stone of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where visitors from around the country come each year to honor those who never returned home.

State leaders say the annual observance serves not only as a tribute but also as a reminder of ongoing support available to veterans and their families.

The Department of Veterans’ Services works to connect former service members with benefits, counseling, and other assistance programs. Veterans can reach the department through its hotline or schedule meetings with accredited Veterans Benefits Advisors either in person or virtually. Mobile outreach vans also travel across the state, providing secure spaces where veterans can confidentially discuss their needs and access available services.

For those experiencing crisis, officials note that immediate help is available through the national 988 hotline, where veterans can press 1 to reach specialized support.

As darkness falls on March 29, the colored lights appearing across bridges, towers and civic buildings will carry a quiet message—one that echoes across generations.

It is a message of remembrance, gratitude and long-awaited acknowledgment for those who served during the Vietnam War and the families who stood beside them.