According to the Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 38 Paragraph 3.2(f), Vietnam Era is the period from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975 inclusive for those who served in the South Vietnam during that period and from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975 inclusive for all other cases. Military personnel served during the periods are considered to be on active duty during the Vietnam era no matter where they had been stationed around the world.
Since the beginning and end of the Vietnam War remain ill-defined, it is necessary for the Federal government to declare definite dates for that era. Those dates, however, do not necessarily reflect the dates of any historical events happened before or after the war. The definition helps veterans of the Vietnam War receive privileges from U.S government and other organizations. Veterans benefits are also determined based on this definition.
The Vietnam war is over but for many Americans, the consequences of the conflict still exist, especially long-term psychological trauma to veterans and their family members. Many research have reported that there were tremendous mental health problems of the survivors in Vietnam war such as major depression or aggressive behaviours. Psychosocial issues also affect women and children in their families.
In appreciation of what the Vietnam vets have done, the U.S government has adopted new policies to improve their well-being and quality of lives. The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 was passed to provide equal opportunity and avoid discrimination against Vietnam “active duty” veterans, especially disabled veterans, in the workplace. A lot of activities were also carried out to help Vietnam veterans integrate normally into the community such as providing vocational training and job placement consultancy services, creating jobs for skilled disabled veterans of the Vietnam era, together with increasing of compensation rates and allowances to veterans.
Those activities and services serve as a lasting memorial to those who served and passed away in the Vietnam War.