Important military milestone to be observed at Milwaukee County War Memorial Center

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Half a century ago, that's 50 years, marks the beginning of the end of the Vietnam War in late-Jan. 1973, when the Paris Peace Accords took place.

This also marked the initiation of returning Prisoners of War back to their home countries.

More than 57,000 soldiers were killed during the conflict, pitting the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States.

The Milwaukee County War Memorial Center will pause to pay tribute to this occasion with a special homecoming of sorts on Wednesday, March 29. The event will consist of a procession, lunch, panel discussion and wreath laying.

The overall event runs from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The lunch and discussion are already sold out, but the public is welcome to attend the wreath-laying at 2 p.m. in the Veterans Gallery.