Name: 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War at Arlington National Cemetery
Start: 2024-09-27T11:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-09-27T13:00:00-04:00
Location: Arlington National Cemetery Welcome Center

Special tram tour focused on the Vietnam War at Arlington National Cemetery
About this Event

The Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) History Office and the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is hosting a special public tram tour in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Join us as we visit graves and memorials connected to this conflict and honor the contributions of all branches of the armed forces in the Vietnam War.

This tour is being held in honor of the annual Missing in Action/Prisoner of War (MIA-POW) day commemorated each September. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in 2025, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from the experts at the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration and appreciate the importance of this conflict in our nation’s history.

The tour will visit the gravesites of five servicemembers, one from each service. These stops include figures such as the graves of General Colin Powell and Staff Sergeant Donald T. Dionne Sr., an Air Force flight engineer who died while ferrying orphans out of Saigon during Operation Baby Lift in 1975. Other stops will include the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association’s Memorial Tree, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room exhibit, where ANC’s curator will showcase artifacts related to the Vietnam War.

This public tram tour will be approximately 2 hours long. It is free but does require pre-registration through Eventbrite. Because this is a tram tour, there will be limited space available. Registration is on a first come-first serve basis.The tour will include visits to five gravesites – one representing each military service – as well as a viewing of the Changing of the Guard and a tour of the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room.

Those interested who pre-register will meet in the Welcome Center behind the Bugler Statue beginning at 1030am. There, members of the tour team will scan Eventbrite tickets and escort attendees to the tram. This tour will be held rain or shine—please dress appropriately for weather conditions. There will be walking involved, so wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to walk on both sidewalks and uneven grassy terrain. Regardless of temperature, be sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated! The tour will conclude at the Welcome Center.