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Deadline extended for Vietnam vet program
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There is still time for area Vietnam veterans to sign up for the upcoming Vietnam Veteran Honors program set for 2 p.m. April 29 at Tattnall County High School on Highway 23 in Reidsville.

The sign up deadline has been pushed back to the end of the business on April 21. 

Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the ceremony can contact the GDVS Central Office via email at bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us or fax their DD Form 214 with their phone number and mailing address marked “Reidsville C&P Ceremony” to (404) 656-7006. For more information call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Project Officer, at (404) 463-3080.

The ceremony, hosted by GDVS’ Glennville Veteran Field Service Office, is open to all veterans with honorable service during the Vietnam War (from June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975; dates recognized by the Department of Defense).  This includes veterans with service in-country and those assigned in some other military capacity elsewhere in the world.

GDVS Commissioner Mike Roby will present the state’s Vietnam War Certificate of Honor to these veterans in recognition of their service during the war. Along with the state certificate, each veteran will receive the Defense Department Commemoration Vietnam War Veteran Lapel Pin.

Each certificate is personalized with the Vietnam War veteran’s name, rank, branch of service and dates of service printed over the Seal of the State of Georgia. It also includes the official U.S. Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo. They are signed by Gov. Nathan Deal and Commissioner Roby.

“It is an absolute honor to represent the governor and the state of Georgia to personally shake the hands of these heroes and say, ‘Thank you for your service and welcome home,’” Roby said. “It is gratifying to see and hear how appreciative these heroes of the Vietnam War are when presented the certificate and lapel pin as a token for their personal service and sacrifice.”

This patriotic program will include musical videos and video narrations honoring the service of Vietnam veterans and their families. Those attending the ceremony will have the opportunity to sing along to not only the national anthem, but also the military service songs, and “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood.

Veterans who have already received certificates but have not received their Vietnam lapel pins from the Department of Defense are also encouraged to attend. Please bring the certificate, framed or unframed, to receive a pin.

The recognition of these veterans is part of the U. S. Department of Defense’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service created the Vietnam War Certificate of Honor program in partnership with the Office of Governor.

Of the more than 17,000 certificates issued since March 2015, nearly 14,000 have been presented with the DoD Vietnam Veteran lapel pin in over 250 presentation ceremonies across Georgia.

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