Local VVA chapter awarded 'honorary partner' status in Vietnam War Commemoration
On April 20 several members of the Martha Devotion Huntington Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution joined the Vietnam Veterans of America Bay Village/Lakewood Chapter for their April meeting. The DAR members presented the VVA chapter with a Vietnam War Commemoration flag and stand, and a certificate of appreciation signed by the Secretary of Defense.
The certificate read: “The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, Department of Defense, recognizes Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 249 as an Honorary Partner. This distinction is reserved for and conferred upon organizations consisting solely of those who “bore the battle” or “bore the loss” of the Vietnam War. A grateful Nation honors your collective service and untold sacrifices. Welcome home! Done this 8th day of March 2023. Signed Lloyd J. Austin, Secretary of Defense.
The Vietnam War Commemoration (VWC) is a national 50th anniversary commemoration, authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense, and launched by President Barack Obama in 2012. Its primary objective is to thank and honor our Vietnam veterans and their families, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the Nation. That includes all military members who served from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.
No distinction is made between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve, none could self-determine where they were stationed, and all were seen in the same way by a country that could not separate the war from the warrior, as we do today.
One of the symbols of this thanks is a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. The pin features an eagle’s head representing courage, honor and dedicated service; stripes representing our Nation’s flag; and six stars representing the United States and its five allies who served and sacrificed alongside one another; all encircled by a ring of blue, drawn from the canton of our national flag and signifying vigilance, perseverance and justice. The phrase "A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” is embossed on the reverse side, along with the Commemoration’s name.
At the meeting, DAR members presented commemoration pins to 11 Vietnam veterans and thanked them all for their service. If you are a Vietnam veteran, or the widow/widower of one, and would like to be honored and receive your Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, or surviving spouse pin, please email MKW50@gmail.com.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with more that 10 million families of those who served in the Vietnam War era. Join the Nation … thank a Vietnam veteran!