OXFORD – Those who fought in Vietnam were honored for their sacrifice and service yesterday during a ceremony at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford in observance of Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

The ceremony featured a color guard from the Utica Chapter 944 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Members of the Greene American Legion Post 692 also participated. Prayers were offered by Rev. David Spiegel of the First Baptist Church of Norwich Ralph Hinman of Bible Baptist Church of Norwich.

According to the Vets’ Home newsletter, the Echo, Vietnam Veterans’ Day was established by former NYS Governor David Paterson in 2008 as a day to recognize all veterans of the Vietnam War for their sacrifice. March 29 marks the anniversary of the date the last U.S. troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam in 1973.

According to the Echo, at least 4,120 New Yorkers were among the 58,195 Americans killed in combat during the war. Their names appear on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.

“Honoring our nation’s veterans and remembering those who died in conflict is an important tradition, and so are the incredible sacrifices made by the men and women who served in the nation’s armed forces and fought bravely in Vietnam,” wrote the publication’s editor.