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National Archives Foundation Joins “Camp Legacy” Celebration in Honor of Vietnam Veterans

May 10, 2023

Washington D.C.— May 11-13, 2023—The National Archives Foundation will join 93 organizations in taking part in the Vietnam War Commemoration’s “Welcome Home!” event, Camp Legacy, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. This congressionally chartered effort will recognize and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their enduring legacy of service.

In November 2017, the National Archives Foundation funded the exhibition “Remembering Vietnam” at the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery in the National Archives in Washington, DC. This 15-month exhibition delved into the holdings of the National Archives records to tell the story of the Vietnam War and to investigate critical questions that persist about how and why the U.S. became involved in the conflict. 

The National Archives Foundation is a proud partner of the Vietnam War commemoration. As part of the Camp Legacy commemoration, the foundation will host a booth with images, videos and information from the “Remembering Vietnam” exhibition. 

The foundation’s booth will be located on Independence Avenue at the JFK hockey fields adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.

Camp Legacy will feature music and drill team performances on the parade ground with additional performances ranging from military and high school bands to a Native American flutist and the Angel Force band comprised of top Los Angeles session musicians, including James Raymond, the late David Crosby’s son and bandmate. 

Alternating with performances will be panel discussions inside the Rally Point Tent that will address such topics as the building of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (the Wall), servicewomen in Vietnam, the mission to locate service members still unaccounted for and lessons from curators on how to preserve your family members’ Vietnam service artifacts. 

The Golden Knights Army parachute team will perform at West Potomac Park daily at 4 p.m.

Special programs during “Welcome Home!” will include a celebration of International Nurses Day on May 12 featuring Vietnam veteran nurses and a wreath-laying ceremony at the nearby Vietnam Women’s Memorial. That night, the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team will host a “Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home at Nationals Park” with pregame ceremonies and an in-game salute.

For updated information about the event, visit https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/welcomehome.

About the National Archives Foundation
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.