Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan performs at the U.S. Air Force Memorial during a special concert to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War.

Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan performs at the U.S. Air Force Memorial during a special concert to honor the veterans of the Vietnam War. The concert was a collaboration between the U.S. Air Force Band and the Headquarters Air Force Vietnam Commemoration Partner Program. Sullivan is part of Celtic Aire, the Band's premier Celtic and Folk ensemble. The group performed selections by singers and songwriters of the Vietnam Era. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Chief Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz)

Fans of the U.S. Air Force Band listen to Celtic Aire, the Band's premier Celtic and Folk ensemble, as they present a special program of singers and songwriters of the Vietnam Era at the U.S. Air Force Memorial. The concert was a collaboration between the U.S. Air Force Band and the Headquarters Air Force Vietnam Commemoration Partner Program to honor veterans of the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Chief Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz)

Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans

Published Aug. 1, 2016
By MSgt Eric Sullivan

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Air Force Band recently partnered with the Headquarters Air Force Vietnam Commemoration Partner Program to present a concert honoring veterans of the Vietnam War. The event were held on July 22, and featured Celtic Aire, the Band's premier Celtic and Folk ensemble.

For this special commemorative event, Celtic Aire presented a concert entitled "Singer/Songwriters of the Vietnam Era", featuring artists such as John Denver, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and The Eagles. Joe Timmons, a spokesman for the Partner Program, called the music "...beyond amazing!" and remarked that the entire concert was "...a terrific Vietnam Veteran tribute."

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration was mandated by Congress and formally initiated by a Presidential Proclamation on Memorial Day of 2012. Their mission is to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including former prisoners of war and those still listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice.

The committee organizes programs to thank and honor the families of these veterans and to highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the war and the contributions of organizations that supported the Armed Forces.

They also pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the conflict as well as highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the war.

Finally, they also strive to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the Allies of the United States during this period.

The U.S. Air Force has been an official Commemorative Partner since June 2014, and has since participated in numerous events to include a collaboration with the Band and Maryland Public Television to highlight the service and sacrifices made by so many during the conflict.

Future programs include a commemorative event in conjunction with the 2017 Andrews Air Show and the publication of an Air Force in Vietnam Chronology.

Part of the USAF Band mission is "to honor those who have served", and we are proud to have been a part of this effort to recognize the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans. We look forward to working with the committee and Headquarters U.S. Air Force again in the near future. Keep an eye on our website for future program information.