Vietnam Appreciation Weekend

World War II American Experience celebrates Vietnam Veterans with National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Living historians join us with a wide variety of uniforms, equipment, artifacts, and vehicles from the Vietnam era.

Maj. Gen. Bill Matz (Ret.) will present and sign his new book, “My Toughest Battle: A Soldier’s Lifelong Struggle with Polio.” Bill Matz earned his Ranger Tab and Master Parachute Badge and rose to the highest levels of achievement in the U.S. Army. He served in the DMZ in Korea, led troops in combat in Vietnam, was wounded in the Tet Offensive, received the Distinguished Service Cross for Valor, and led troops again during the Panama invasion—all while wearing a specially fitted combat boot and a foot orthotic device on his atrophied “polio leg.” Later duties included serving as Executive Secretary to the Secretary of Defense during the Reagan years.

Also on site will be living historians and a wide variety of uniforms, equipment, artifacts, and vehicles from the Vietnam era.