State Rep. Tony Dale, R-Cedar Park, is inviting anyone in his district—especially veterans and their families—to the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument dedication on March 29.

The monument dedication ceremony will run 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Guests can find parking in downtown Austin and arrive as early as 8 a.m. to find seating at the Capitol's north side, Dale said. Attendants are asked to RSVP at the ceremony's EventBrite page so planners can assess how many people will be at the event. Tickets are free and registration is not required.

March 29 marks exactly 41 years since the last American forces left Vietnam, Dale said.

"We do anticipate more than 3,000 now attending the event, and I suspect it may go higher than that," Dale said. "That's not only a great testament to the organizers of the event, but shows the place of honor that Texans hold their veterans in, and I'm really encouraged by that."

The Texas Legislature in May 2005 approved the construction of Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument to honor the estimated 500,000 Texans who served in the Vietnam War from 1954–1975.

"Getting authorization to use a piece of the Capitol grounds is not one that's taken lightly, because it's certainly a place of honor for all Texans," Dale said. "So it's a big statement just having a monument there."

In the war, 3,417 Texas soldiers died and 105 Texans remain listed as missing in action, according to event organizers.

Dale said leaders such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Plano, a former Vietnam prisoner of war, will speak at the ceremony. Guests will find military equipment on display. The Capitol will host exhibits about the Vietnam War and its veterans, he said.

"Inside the monument will be over 3,400 dog tags of the Texas veterans that were either killed in Vietnam or are still listed as missing in action," Dale said. "It's a special thing that will be inside the monument forever."