Swampscott/Lynn Vietnam Veterans Day Events Planned

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A series of events in Swampscott and Lynn will take place on March 29 to honor veterans of the Vietnam War for Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day.

The E. F. Gilmore DAV of Swampscott & Lynn will be sponsoring a breakfast for all veterans who served in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War era with a breakfast.

The breakfast will be held at the Swampscott Senior Center, 200R Essex Street Swampscott (Behind Swampscott High School) starting at 8:30 a.m.

The day was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day the United States Military Assistance Command in Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.

On and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

"It is important that we recognize the sacrifice these veterans have made and thank them for their service," said Swampscott DAV Commander Jeffrey Blonder, who added that U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton is expected to be present to address the veterans.

The breakfast is free and veterans are encouraged to bring family members who want to celebrate with them. Reservations can be made by calling Commander Blonder at 617-967-6892 or emailing him at e_f_gilmore_dav_chapter64@yahoo.com.

The city of Lynn will host a ceremony honoring Vietnam veterans at City Hall at 11 a.m. on March 29.

There will also be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Swampscott Vietnam Veteran Memorial on Monument Avenue at 10 a.m. on March 30.

All are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)