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CAP Members Join National Salute to Vietnam Veterans
Civil Air Patrol members from around the Mid-Atlantic Region participated in the Air & Space Forces Association’s Celebration of Character & Courage: Vietnam War 50th event Jan. 13 at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
The event honored the service, courage, and legacy of Vietnam War veterans and Gold Star Families and served as a renewal of American commitment to account for those who remain missing 50 years after the war’s end.
About half the 31 CAP volunteers served as ushers, handed out programs, assisted veterans, and scanned tickets. The others sang in the choir at the front of the cathedral, which included the West Point Glee Club choir and other veterans groups.
“This event allowed our cadets to be part of something much bigger than us,” said Lt. Col. James Zavala, CAP event 
coordinator and deputy commander for cadets for the National Capital Wing’s Mount Vernon Composite Squadron.
After the ceremony, the hundreds assembled proceeded to the Washington Hilton for a reception. Vietnam veterans received official commemoration pins, shared their stories with Wreaths Across America Radio, and bonded with fellow servicemembers and families over their shared experiences.
To learn more about AFA’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and submit your own stories, visit AFA.org/Vietnam50.
Civil Air Patrol Volunteer, CAP's biannual magazine, marled the 50th anniversary of the war’s end with a cover story in the Spring 2023 issue and profiles of CAP members who served during the conflict.
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Lt. Col. Paul Cianciolo
Public Affairs Officer
National Capital Wing