SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Governor Larry Rhoden, in coordination with the South Dakota Department
of Veterans Affairs (SDDVA), is proclaiming Sunday, March 29, 2026, as “Welcome Home
Vietnam Veterans Day.”
The Governor and SDDVA call on all South Dakotans to recognize the courage, service, and
sacrifice of the men and women who served during the Vietnam War. By giving so much of
themselves, these heroes remind us that democracy is worth defending.
More than 27,000 South Dakotans were called upon to stand up and fight in Vietnam, and 192
of them made the ultimate sacrifice. By establishing an annual Welcome Home Vietnam
Veterans Day, the people of South Dakota can express their gratitude and honor the men and
women who served, thanking them for their selflessness, devotion, and bravery.
“On Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, we proudly say the words that should have been
spoken decades ago: Welcome Home,” said Jeremiah Schneider, Secretary of the South Dakota
Department of Veterans Affairs. “For too long, these brave men and women carried the weight
of sacrifice without the recognition they deserved. They fought with honor, endured hardships,
and upheld the values of freedom and duty during one of our nation’s most challenging
chapters. Their courage safeguarded liberty for generations, and their resilience is a testament
to the American spirit. Let us stand united in gratitude and ensure that every Vietnam veteran
knows they are respected, cherished, and finally welcomed home with the honor they earned.”