The city of Scottsdale will host an event honoring Vietnam veterans on Sunday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center East Bowl. The ceremony is part of National Vietnam Veterans Day and is open to the public. Complimentary lunch will be provided for registered guests, and registration is required.
The Scottsdale Veterans Advisory Commission is organizing the event as a gesture of appreciation for those who served during the Vietnam era. This year’s featured speaker is Francisco “Frank” Moreno, a Vietnam veteran who served as both a U.S. Army paratrooper and helicopter pilot.
Moreno was among the 101st Airborne Division soldiers who enforced President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s desegregation order at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. He later volunteered for flight school and completed two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. During the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang at Landing Zone X-Ray, Moreno flew 14 missions into combat to evacuate wounded soldiers, rescuing 33 service members who all survived. His actions earned him the Silver Star, which is currently under review for a potential upgrade to the Medal of Honor.
Moreno has described his motivation as “brotherhood,” emphasizing his commitment to never leave fellow soldiers behind.
The event will also include a display of a Vietnam-era OH-6 helicopter from the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Southwest Chapter. Vietnam veterans attending will receive commemorative lapel pins from the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. Attendees can share messages of appreciation and support for veterans and their families.
March 29 has been recognized as National Vietnam War Veterans Day since 2017 to honor nearly nine million Americans who served during the war and their families.
In 2024, Scottsdale received recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense as a “Top Performer” among organizations participating in the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration.
Community members are encouraged to register in advance to attend this free event.
The Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce promotes an inclusive business environment through various initiatives supporting community prosperity and provides resources such as networking opportunities and professional development for its members (official website). The organization focuses on advocacy and business development efforts aimed at advancing community prosperity (official website). Operating within Scottsdale (official website), it also advocates for pro-business policies at different government levels (official website) and participates in collaborative efforts like the East Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance (official website).
