Join us in Merrimac on National Vietnam War Memorial Day to honor the life and service of Merrimac resident, Henry "Hank" Cross, a navy veteran who served on the U.S.S Forrestal during a devastating fire in 1967, which killed 134 crewman (including Amesbury resident William Justin). During one of the worst naval disasters in the Navy's history, Cross helped contain the fires which burned for 12 hours and destroyed 83 aircraft. Mr. Cross (August 21, 1942 - February 14, 2025) exemplified the 9 million people who served during the war, humble and brave.  

Established in 2017 by President Obama, March 29 marks the day in 1973 that the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam returned to the U.S.