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 Scheider, 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.”

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