November 1 is the anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War for the U. S. The Vietnam War was between North and South Vietnam, with the U. S. and others backing the South and the Soviet Union, North Korea, and China backing the North. The French had previously supported South Vietnam and when the French withdrew in 1955, the U. S. assumed that role. The dates of the war span November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975 when the capital of South Vietnam, Saigon, was captured by the North. U. S. troops had left Vietnam by March 29, 1973, the date the Vietnam war was over for the U. S.
About 2.7 million U. S. Soldiers fought in the Vietnam War. The U. S. lost 58,318 Soldiers in the Vietnam War; 303,644 were wounded. One hundred fifty Panhandle Soldiers lost their life in the Vietnam War; their names are inscribed on the Vietnam Monuments at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial. Many Vietnam veterans are still suffering today from exposure to Agent Orange and the trauma of battle. Please thank these veterans for their service to our country.
We encourage our veterans and their families to contact our Veterans Referral Coordination Center at the War Memorial if they need any type of assistance. The Texas Panhandle War Memorial is proud to partner with Combined Arms and the Texas Veterans Network to provide excellent service referrals for veterans and their families. The mission of the War Memorial is to help veterans and their families by assessing veteran and family member needs and finding appropriate service providers to meet those needs. As a Combined Arms Community Leader, the War Memorial has access to the vast array of services that fall under the umbrella of Combined Arms and the Texas Veterans Network. This is a collaborative effort across Texas.
Whatever the veteran’s need – employment, housing, financial assistance, reintegration, transportation, counseling, or general information – The War Memorial will find the right provider for them. This service is free; the veterans have earned it. Some benefits are available to the veteran’s family. Our navigators are trained to know the resource providers in our community and can connect the veteran or family member with those services. We will follow up and ensure that the veteran or family member and the resource connect, and their needs are being met.
Come and visit our museum of military artifacts, displays, and photographs from WWI to Afghanistan. The War Memorial has the only Military Chapel in the Panhandle, available for weddings and funerals. Our high-tech Education Center features five interactive computer kiosks, each with information on 11 U. S. wars. We also have oral histories of the Vietnam War and World War II. Visit our gift shop for military tee shirts, ball caps, and military memorabilia.
We invite you to visit our Museum or visit our Navigators Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our telephone number is 806-350-8387. Follow us on Facebook and visit our website www.TexasPanhandleWarMemorial.com
