Fifty-one years ago, the last American troops left Vietnam, ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. On Friday, those American veterans were honored in Westminster.

The city hosted its inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day event Friday morning, March 29, at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park. The City Council designated the day as its annual American Vietnam War Veterans Day, a way to honor those who served in the war.

Nearly 3 million Americans served in the war, and more than 58,000 died, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Westminster Chief of Police Darin Lenyi, left, salutes William A. Ward, right, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Nick Berardino who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War speaks to the crowd as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Members of the Westminster Police Department Honor Guard present the colors as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Veterans who served during the Vietnam War salute as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Frank Berry who served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War as a linguist, is the keynote speaker as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jesse Gonzales of Santa Ana, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, blesses a wreath as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jesse Gonzales of Santa Ana, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, blesses the soldier statues as the city of Westminster hosts an inaugural American Vietnam War Veterans Day recognition ceremony at Sid Goldstein Freedom Park in Westminster on Friday, March 29, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Councilmembers have said they will pick another day, possibly June 19, to honor South Vietnamese veterans, many of whom reside in Westminster.

“I’d like to honor both,” Councilmember Kimberly Ho said. “They’re equal, but different sacrifices and service.”

Also on Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed March 30 to be “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and there were various tributes hosted around Orange County.

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