The East Valley Veterans Parade is proud to announce the theme for 2023. “Vietnam Valor” in recognition of the 50 years that have passed since the conclusion of the war in Vietnam.

In celebration and thankfulness to our Veterans who served during the Vietnam War, and in honor and memory of those who did not make it home, we salute the brave men and women who answered the call to serve our Country. Together as a community, we will remember their courage, and thank them for their service and sacrifices during the war. We will also thank them for the valor have shown during the 50 years since the war’s end.

Many brave men and women served our country during the Vietnam War, it was a very tumultuous time for our country and for our veterans and their families. The East Valley Veterans’ Parade is the living symbol of the pride and love we have for our Vietnam Veterans and the 50 years that have passed since the end of the war. Join us as we lift them in honor, remember their service and give them the Welcome Home they deserve!

America’s involvement in Vietnam was a tumultuous time in our history. It was especially rough for our armed forces, veterans and military families. During the war and in the following 50 years since its end, our Vietnam Veterans have made unforgettable impacts on our country and our history. The Vietnam War was fought by young men and women from across our great nation, at an average age of only 19 years old. Together, they faced many challenges in the field that had never been experienced by previous fighting forces.

Many veterans faced an angry and aggressive public who were divided and critical of the war and events surrounding it; many veterans were not welcomed home, and many were left alone, without support as they struggled with injuries, PTSD, survivors guilt, addiction and the loss of family, friends and community support. Some veterans did return home and successfully re-adjusted to civilian life. They also went on to start businesses and pursue new careers. But many of them, injured or not, were not welcomed home by the public.

Largely, only the POW’s received any amount of public sympathy during the war and for many years after. The POW/MIA Flag was created in 1970 by the POW/MIA League of Families. It serves as a symbol that America and American Families were still waiting for news of loved ones who were missing and or imprisoned. The POW/ MIA flag officially designated by Congress in 1990 as “the symbol of our Nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation.”
The East Valley Veterans Parade invites you, your family and friends to join us on Parade Day as we officially celebrate Vietnam Veterans, give them a proper homecoming and say the words they so deserve to hear from us, our communities and our Nation – “Welcome Home” & “Thank you!”

Participate, or join us on the sidelines. Bring your families & friends and be an active participant in history as we WELCOME HOME our Vietnam Veterans during our “Vietnam Valor” parade celebration!

(The East Valley Veterans Parade Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and therefore a non-political organization. Please refrain from displaying flags that contain political messages or represent political parties, candidates, leaders, or office-holders.)