One of the most devastating conflicts the United States has ever taken part in, this 20-year war was fought in the area around Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia as both North and South Vietnam faced off.

The fall of the South Vietnam capital of Saigon on April 30, 1975 — soon to be 50 years ago — effectively spelled the end of the Vietnam War.

It was a somber day marked by an appropriately dreary overcast, though no rain interrupted the event, which celebrated a holiday created by Congress in 2017 that commemorates March 29, 1973 — the day the last American combat troops withdrew from Vietnam. The war didn't officially end until 1975.

On Saturday, those who fought in that conflict gathered at the USS Hornet in Alameda for a ceremony marking National Vietnam War Veterans Day and they reflected on what lessons may have been learned or forgotten.

As the nation pauses to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans, National Vietnam Veterans Day provides a poignant reminder of the courage and resilience of those who served in one of the most controversial wars in American history.

Veterans and officials gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor those who served during the Vietnam War.

A ceremony at Lake Wichita Veterans Memorial Plaza recognizes Vietnam vets on 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration.