Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

MILITARY

Defense secretary, congressional leaders mark Vietnam War, hail veterans at Capitol ceremony

Associated Press
Published | Updated
  • 3e0c7ecf-
    Image 1 of 3

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter, leads applause to thank the military service members who served in Vietnam during a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (The Associated Press)

  • 1dbe4af6-
    Image 2 of 3

    House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, speaks during a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (The Associated Press)

  • cdea8362-
    Image 3 of 3

    Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, speaks about his experiences as a soldier fighting in Vietnam, during a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Ash Carter and congressional leaders are thanking Vietnam War veterans for their service and presenting pins to dozens of veterans at a Capitol ceremony.

House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell joined lawmakers at a ceremony Wednesday marking 50 years since U.S. ground troops arrived in Vietnam.

The ceremony comes a day after President Barack Obama held an unprecedented meeting with the head of Vietnam's Communist Party as the U.S. presses to conclude talks on a groundbreaking Asia-Pacific economic pact.

Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, himself a Vietnam veteran, told the Capitol crowd that he and other veterans feel a special bond. Hagel adds that he is grateful that the nation's attitude toward veterans has greatly improved since he returned from Vietnam.