National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Event / Allen, TX

ALLEN, Texas — Veterans and community members gather as the city of Allen celebrates National Vietnam War Veterans Day during a ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center.

Established by the 2017 Recognition Act, this day marks the 1973 departure of the last U.S. combat troops.

• Kevin Purcell of the Allen Community Band performs “Rivoli” to open the program and later plays “Taps” during the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)

• (L-R) (Red Shirt) Chuck Daniel, Navy veteran; (Tan Jacket) Jim Blythe, Navy Veteran; (Black suit) Vice Admiral David Brooks Robinson/USN (Ret.) the guest speaker; Ken Taylor, Army veteran and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1122 president; (Plaid Jacket) Chuck Wright, Marine veteran, Texas Veterans Commission in discussion before the program begins. At the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)

• Allen High School, MCJROTC Regiment presents colors as the audience says the Pledge of Allegiance. At the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)

• (L-R) Ken Taylor, Army veteran and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1122 president presented a compass to Vice Admiral David Brooks Robinson/USN (Ret.) Navy Cross recipient, the guest speaker and master of ceremony John Bagwell, Army veteran, Bronze Star & Purple Heart recipient. At the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)

• (L-R) Vice Admiral David Brooks Robinson/USN (Ret.) Navy Cross recipient and United States Naval Academy graduate class 1963 guest speaker, talks to his friend Allen Clark, United States Military Academy graduate class of 1963, recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star & Purple Heart. At the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)

• (L-R) Dick Thompson, USAF veteran, US Air Force Academy Class of 1966, recipient of the Silver Star & Distinguished Flying Cross; James Hinds, program singer; Vice Admiral David Brooks Robinson/USN (Ret.) Navy Cross recipient and United States Naval Academy graduate class 1963, guest speaker; Natalie DuPre, program singer, one of the top 12 finalists in the Miss Texas competition in 2025 and Ken Taylor, Army veteran and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1122 president. At the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)

• Vice Admiral David Brooks Robinson/USN (Ret.) Navy Cross recipient for Heroism during the Vietnam War when he was the commander of the USS Canon a patrol gunboat while participating in Operation Market Time on the Bo De River and he is a United States Naval Academy graduate class 1963 was the guest speaker with the USS Canon displayed on the screen. At the City of Allen’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Allen Senior Recreation Center. (Photo by Patrick Nugent/USAF Ret.)