Vietnam Veterans To Be Recognized

On Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m., Vietnam veterans in Jasper and surrounding counties will have an opportunity to take part in a long overdue public recognition of their military service at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony being held at the Historic Thomas Persons Hall, 319 College Street, in Monticello.

The program is being hosted by the local American Legion Post 110, and the deadline to sign up is Friday, May 26.

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

“It is never the wrong time to say thank you to a veteran, and that is especially true for so many Vietnam War veterans who were never properly thanked when they returned home,” said Commissioner Roby. “We hope to eventually present every Georgia veteran with a Certificate of Honor recognizing their service during the Vietnam War.”

Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the ceremony can contact the GDVS Central Office via email bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us with their DD Form 214 attached or fax their information (name, address, and phone number) and “214” to 404-656-7006. Either way, it needs to be marked “Legion Post 110 C&P Ceremony.” For more information call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Project Officer, at 404-463-3080.

Interested veterans can also contact the American Legion Post at 770-617-2249 with questions concerning the ceremony.

Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War (from June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975, as recognized by DoD) is eligible to receive this certificate. This includes veterans with service in-country and those who served in other capacities.

The state’s 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 Nathan Deal.

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 and includes the official U.S. Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo. They are signed by Governor Deal and Commissioner Roby.

Of the nearly 18,000 certificates issued since March 2015, nearly 14,100 have been presented in over 260 presentation ceremonies across Georgia.

Additional information about the Certificate of Honor Program and other veteran benefits is available at www.veterans.ga.gov.