Staff
In March of 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law designating March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This day recognizes United States military veterans who served during the Vietnam War from November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975.
The Act calls upon our nation to observe this day with programs, ceremonies, or activities that commemorate the end of the Vietnam War.
The Downey Vietnam War Memorial, a bronze sundial mounted on a pedestal and recently re-installed at the Downey Civic Center, bears the names of 23 Downey residents who fought and lost their lives in Vietnam:
Michael N. Andersen; Steven P. Barnett; Robert R. Bohler; Michael Cheroff; Ronald H. Chilcott; Pablo Duran; Daniel E. Eckenrode; Johnny L. Edwards; Juan Garay Garcia; Wayne C. Harmon; Neil E. Harvey; James C. Houghton; Charles W. Koontz, Jr.; Charles Lauer; Durand G. Liggett; John E. Lortz III; Jon L. Messer; Donald M. Munden; Steven C. Patterson; Robert A. Thompson; James D. Valov; Danny E. Ward; Clifford L. Whipple.
Mayor Claudia M. Frometa and the Downey City Council were joined by local veterans for the placement of floral wreaths at the Vietnam War Memorial.
“National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a day for us to remember and appreciate all of our Vietnam heroes and their families, who sacrificed their lives to serve our country and protect our freedoms,” said Mayor Frometa.
Mayor Pro Tem Blanca Pacheco added, “Our veterans embody the values and ideals our nation was founded on, and it is important for us to come together to pay homage to each individual and the loved ones they left behind.”
