Photos: Vietnam War 50th anniversary
Ceremonies around the country mark March 29, designated as Vietnam Veterans Day.
Vietnam Anniversary
An honor guard stands next to a wreath prior to a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Remembering Vietnam
Raymond Sutherland, president, Rolling Thunder, Chapter 2, Maryland, was the keynote speaker at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Winchester, Va. (Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star via AP)
Vietnam Anniversary
A Vietnam veteran speaks to a reporter as they are reflected in the Vietnam War Memorial Wall prior to a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Vietnam War Anniversary
Larry Welch, U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, shows off his combat medals during a ceremony at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena to honor Vietnam Veterans.(Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War Anniversary
Vietnam veterans Mike Rosner, center, and Gary Robbins, right, attend a ceremony in Flag is raised during a commemoration at Spokane Valley City Hall. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War Anniversary
Veterans salute during a ceremony to honor them and mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Vietnam War Anniversary
Air Force veteran Charles Nolan wipes his eye during a ceremony to honor veterans and mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Vietnam War Anniversary
Parris Sandlin covers his heart as he stands near a photograph of his father Shelmon Sandlin Jr., during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Vietnam War Anniversary
Veteran Frank Adams and his wife Jane dance to Vietnam-era music to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Vietnam War Anniversary
Veterans are welcomed as they arrive to a ceremony to honor them and mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Ash Carter, Robert McDonald
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, right, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald lay a wreath to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Ash Carter, Robert McDonald
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, left, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald, center, arrive for a wreath-laying ceremonyat the Vietnam Memorial Wall. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Ash Carter, Robert McDonald
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald greet Vietnam Veterans at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Ash Carter, Robert McDonald
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald greet Vietnam War Veterans at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Vietnam Anniversary
An honor guard stands prior to a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Memorial Wall. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Vietnam Anniversary
Color guard members arrive prior to a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
Vietnam Veterans salute during the presentation of colors at the start of the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Winchester, Va. (Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star via AP)
Ashley Bruce
Ashley Bruce, a U.S. Navy veteran, places a flag on the grave of a Vietnam veteran at the Winchester National Cemetery in Winchester, Va. (Ginger Perry/The Winchester Star via AP)
Vietnam War Anniversary Indiana
The Indiana National Guard caisson escorts a wreath marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Marion, Ind. (Jeff Morehead/The Chronicle-Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War Anniversary Indiana
Veterans bow their heads behind a wreath marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Marion VA Medical Center in Marion, Ind. (Jeff Morehead/The Chronicle-Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War Anniversary Indiana
VFW State Commander William "Buzz" Weberding speaks during the Vietnam Veterans Commemoration ceremony at the Marion VA Medical Center in Marion, Ind. (Jeff Morehead/The Chronicle-Tribune via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War anniversary
Vietnam War veterans salute during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War in Ashtabula, Ohio. (Warren Dillaway/The Star-Beacon via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War Anniversary
Richard Trask, right, and Charles McQueen salute after placing a wreath at the Ashtabula Vietnam War Memorial in Ashtabula, Ohio. (Warren Dillaway/The Star-Beacon via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam War Anniversary
Alfredo Rodriguez of Cherry Valley salutes during a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Ashtabula War Memorial in Ashtabula, Ohio. (Warren Dillaway/The Star-Beacon via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Vietnam Anniversary
A Color Guard forms up prior to a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Ash Carter, Robert McDonald
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter addresses the media with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Robert McDonald
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald addresses the media at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
Ash Carter, Robert McDonald
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald addresses the media with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)
50th anniversary of Vietnam War
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, right and Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald are reflected in the Vietnam Memorial Wall as they bow their heads in silence.
Texas Vietnam Veterans Day
A group of Vietnam veterans gather for a photo at the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument in Austin, Texas. (Jay Janner /Austin American-Statesman via AP)
Ash Carter, Thomas Snee
Defense Secretary Ash Carter honors Vietnam Veteran Thomas Snee, who served in the Navy, with a commemorative pin to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. (AP Photo/Molly Riley)