It’s an observance that often gets lost amid the major events of the day, but Monday was National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The day is observed annually on March 29, but sadly, it has been pushed farther back in our collective conscience over the past two years, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing cancellation or postponement of events in many communities. Still, we need to let our Vietnam Veterans know they aren’t forgotten.

On March 29, 1973, the last American combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last known prisoners of war held in North Vietnam returned to American soil. The first Vietnam Veterans Day was observed exactly one year later, on March 29, 1974.

Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam, fewer than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest of them estimated to be around 64 years of age. Those lucky enough to survive the jungles of Southeast Asia faced other health threats at home. Though Agent Orange exposure is never an official cause of death, it has led to a host of complications, including lung cancer, heart disease and kidney failure.

It is not asking too much to remember those who served at the difficult time, or to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, They include:

Thomas Edward Adams, Maybrook, Army, Dec. 31, 1967.

Gary Bruce Baker, Montgomery Army, June 2, 1967.

Robert Francis Berger, Rock Tavern, Army, May 7, 1970.

Richard Wayne Crawford, Wallkill, Marine Corps, Sept. 6, 1967.

Steven Matarazzo, Montgomery, Army, Dec. 15, 1967.

James Van Ness Muller, Bloomingburg, Army, Oct. 31, 1967.

Arvi Rohtvali, Gardiner, Army, June 25, 1968.

Robert French Starbuck, Montgomery, Marine Corps, Feb. 4, 1967.