March 29, 1973 was the last day American troops were in South Vietnam . In 2009 a state law came into effect: Vietnam Veterans Day in Texas. This recognition is commemorated on March 29.
C-141 Tail Number 60177 was the last of the 285 C-141’s built by Lockheed to leave active service. She flew 100 POWs out of Hanoi on 12 February 1973, some of them tasting freedom for the first time in six years. Each POW put their shot-down date on the face of the oxygen panel during their flight to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. Many of the POWs she brought home were brought back for the ceremony and one last flight by this gracious lady. Most of them are old men now but their enthusiasm, emotions, and excitement were evident during this flight and retirement ceremony. She was then flown to Dayton, Ohio where she will spend her final days in the Air Force Museum.
*Credit to Peter Thompson and Kiet Nguyen (R. Seal) for sending me this video.
My hat is off to all who have served and are currently serving our nation here and around the world.
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