Events

The Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Trail is located in Price County and has 13 markers to represent the 13 years of service and sacrifice of the brothers and sisters in arms. The markers denote events of the war that were deemed important by Vietnam Veterans. The trail is a commemorative project to remind the public of the sacrifices made by this group of unheralded veterans.

Interview inserts into local papers on Vietnam Veteran interviews.

Farmington has over 200 Vietnam veterans living in the community but there is no veterans organization for them to gather and meet. The veterans will be able to to do this when they attend the "Bring your own brown bag" lunches which will be held at the Farmington Town Hall from 11 am to 1 pm the second Wednesday of each month until December 2017. The main focus is to give the veterans a place where they can casually gather and share but a short program will be designed by sometimes inviting guest speakers. The local DAR chapter will present certificates to all Vietnam veterans who attend.

To make veterans and the public aware of the 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam war; handing out information on Vietnam veterans issues, agent orange issues, and health concerns for Vietnam veterans. Tabletop display is held at the VA Hospital the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month for 8 hours per day.

We have contacted local Retirement Homes and the local VA to come to their site and have a program to honor Vietnam Veterans and their families. We feel this is truly reaching out into the community to honor those Vietnam Veterans who are unable to attend events.

Can you add sending 1 set of posters (every one of them). This is for an exhibit he is doing in San Diego that will go till 2017, so I think based on what he’s doing, we can send 1 of everything. Opening ceremony of new permanent exhibit on the Vietnam Experience on the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Exhibits, displays, timelines, oral histories, and personal stories tell the experiences of San Diegans in the Vietnam War on 4/30/2015. Exhibit opens to public on May 1st, 2015.

This summer in recognition of the 50th anniversary of US involvement in Vietnam, the First Division Museum will present the exhibit, Five Years in the Jungle: Vietnam Experiences of the 1st Infantry Division 1965-1970. The exhibit will include an array of artifacts collected by 1ID units and individuals during service in Vietnam. A significant portion of those objects will be on display in a representation of the division’s in-country museum where visitors will experience how soldiers would learn about the threats they would face in Vietnam. In 1967, the 3rd Brigade created a museum as part of the Combat Introduction Course to help familiarize new soldiers with the weapons, uniforms, equipment, and methods of the NVA and VC. Division HQ took this model and created a museum that served the same purpose for all soldiers who joined the 1st ID. The museum recreation will even include several pieces from the original in-country museums. Another exciting component of the exhibit will be a floor map of the division’s AO. The illustrated map will colorfully depict III Corps Tactical Zone highlighting 1ID areas of operation and will include an inset of both North and South Vietnam for context. Visitors will be able to walk on the map to get a close up look at locations. Surrounding the map will be artifact clusters that tie to specific battles, individuals, locations and unique stories highlighting the entire five year period of the 1st ID’s deployment. Through these artifacts, including significant amounts of captured material, the story of soldiers engaging a skilled and determined enemy will come into focus. In addition, there will be a timeline highlighting important events during the Vietnam War, photo enlargements that portray the different environments found throughout III Corps and a music interactive that will allow visitors to listen to music and create their own playlists. Visitors should leave the exhibit with a better understanding of the experiences of 1st Division soldiers during the Vietnam War and a better understanding of those difficult years.

The New York National Guard's Military History Museum partners with Skidmore College to open a new exhibit May 1 honoring the service of the Capital Region's Vietnam Veterans. Students from the Skidmore College History course, "The Vietnam War in American Memory," taught by Professor David Kieran, gathered the oral histories of 11 Vietnam era-veterans from Saratoga Springs. A joint effort between the students and the NYS Military Museum and Veterans Research Center will be featured in a new public exhibit through November 2015 as part of Department Skidmore students learning about the Vietnam War in Professor Kieran's course sought out 11 area veterans and completed individual oral history assignments to learn more about Vietnam Veterans' diverse experiences. Through collaboration with Courtney Burns, Military History Director and curator of the NYS Military museum, a collection of the students' work, including veteran artifacts from Vietnam and materials that document their experiences, will be exhibited at the museum. The nation marked the start of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War in 2012 and New York State, the New York National Guard, the City of Saratoga Springs and the Military Museum are all Commemorative Partners with the Department of Defense to honor the service of Vietnam Veterans and their families. Events hosted at the museum are intended to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans. The exhibit featuring the Vietnam Veterans experience and their oral histories will be on display at the museum through Veterans Day 2015.

Quilt making for Vietnam vets in the community including the name and date of service on each one. Then, invited the veteran to a luncheon to present to them with a certificate. This is ongoing.

The State of Arkansas has in excel of 4,000 Masons and half of them are of the age of Vietnam Veterans. This program will go to the major Jurisdictions within the state located in Little Rock, Springdale/Fayetteville, and Jonesboro and then to the smaller lodges dispersed across the state in 11 different districts.

WAR: RAW Healing Military Trauma Through Expressive Are. Free exhibit at the State of Wisconsin Veterans Museum, which contains multiple exhibit pieces created by Vietnam Veterans. Info at: http://www.wisvetsmuseum.com/exhibitions/temporary/

Each week a different Vietnam veteran will be profiled in full-page newspaper features. The profiles are published online at www.trib.com/honor with additional photos, audio and other assets. in 2017, a hardcover book of all the profiles will be published. A book signing event will be hosted and each veteran featured will be gifted a copy of the book by our sponsors and fellow commemorative committee members.

Honoring the Vietnam Veterans

We are working with the Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs to award a Certificate of Honor to all local Vietnam Veterans.

To present veterans from Erie Co. New York with certificates from the DAR and label pins to thank them for their service.

Memorial Service held once a month.

Our agency (NYS DVA) advocates and assists Veterans and their families, including conducting numerous and on-going Outreach events, for example- recently honoring female Vietnam Veterans at NYS's Vietnam Veteran Museum. The materials we request will help us to specifically connect with and honor Vietnam Veterans.

We hold PTSD workshops at our AL Post. During each event we recognize those who served and continue to serve this great nation. We wish to recognize our Vietnam Veterans by presenting them their Vietnam Lapel Pin.

Honor the POW/MIA's of Vietnam

This reunion is held every other year. This will mark the 50th year that USMC Tanks landed in Vietnam. We will hold interviews with members that will post to our web site, have a Reunion Banquet with guest speaker, our tribute to our fallen heroes. We will also lay a wreath at the wall, and just spend time catching up with one another.

Display set up. Used especially for the 4th of July, and will through Veterans day, distributing pins and stickers.

Display at the Valley County Historical Museum and mementos were passed out.

Display at the Dawson County Historical Society.

Retiree Appreciation Days (RADs) are designed to offer a one stop shop opportunity a great source for Retired Soldiers and Family members in our area to get the latest information for on programs and services. The RAD provides an opportunity Retired Soldiers and Family Members to renew acquaintances, listen to guest speakers, renew ID Cards, get medical checkups, and various other services. The RAD also includes special events such as the Round-up dinner and golf tournament. This year is dedicated to recognizing Vietnam Veterans and Gold Star Families.

The exhibit, created for J.L. Throckmorton Library by the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, focuses on the relationship between U.S. Army Special Forces (SF) and the Montagnards during the Vietnam War. SF Soldiers trained Montagnards, an indigenous people living Vietnam's mountain highlands, as a part of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) program. As a result, SF Soldiers and Montagnards forged strong bonds. After the war, many Montagnard refugees chose to live in North Carolina to be near their Special Forces comrades. The exhibit features Vietnam era Montagnard weapons and cultural objects.

Our Chapter has 5 Veteran Service Officers who assist veterans in filing claims. They would like to extend their thanks to Vietnam Veterans that they assist by presenting them with a lapel pin.

The Memorial is open year round to educate the public on the Vietnam War and the veterans who served in it. It is run by veteran volunteers and supported by various veteran organizations.They would like a commemorative flag to fly at the memorial museum.

Upcoming events at NH State Veterans Cemetery include 100 Nights of Remembrance closing ceremony on Sept. 11 and Veterans Day ceremonies throughout the state.

I travel throughout an 11 state area and visit with many veterans, their families and various veteran organizations. Am in need of materials to hand out to people so word can spread about the commemoration. Am working on a Purple Heart Event in Branson, Missouri to take place 21-23 April 2016. Last year had 250 Purple Heart Recipients, and their spouses, in attendance, mostly Vietnam veterans.

The nature of this request is to request materials that will enhance our numerous events which highlight the service given by Vietnam Veterans. Thanks for your outstanding support you have given us in the past.

Series of monthly lectures and discussions, on Marine Corps operations in Viet Nam, 1965-72. This is a duplicate off the event - we have already received maps and posters and tin pins from your office. All we are requesting are the lapel pins, so they may be formally presented to the Viet Nam veterans belonging to the local Marine Corps League chapter, ina ceremony.

This will be the 9th annual New York Mets Military Appreciation day which is held in conjunction with Fleet Week New York. Veterans will be lining the warning track, promotion ceremonies on the field, video shout outs, joint services color guard, military/veteran outreach organizations will also be present to provide veterans services

Museum is open five days a week to all persons for military history. Large display of Vietnam era.

To honor & thank the attending veterans for their part in the Viet Nam conflict. This is an annual event/reunion that I have had the honor of attending with my dear friend, Donald Scott. I would like to present each attendee with a pin. I will be representing my DAR Chapter, the San Fernando Valley Chapter. It was an honor to present the lapel pins to the veterans! They were all really pleased to be recognized for their service. Many of the wives thanked us afterwards. Sergeant 1st Class Bennie Atkins, a Medal of Honor Recipient, was the speaker.

The Softball league has 8 /14 man teams of softball players 60 years and older. There is a following of another 35 guys that come to watch the games. played every Monday evening. There are four committee members from the Purple Heart Chapter 453 in the league and we decided that we would have 1 night in November as a special night to honor the men that play in this league and we will open it up to any man in the Palm Bay Community that would like to be recognized as being a Viet Nam Veteran. Men will line up between first and third as the announcer will call each mans name and he will be pinned. We will have the Palm Bay High School ROTC Unit provide us with an honor guard and fife and drum band. After which a Game will be played

Purpose of event is to honor the veteran for their service by offering them an opportunity to "come together" once a month to visit with other veterans. Refreshments are provided and there is a guest speaker each month.

Interview VV veterans and publish interviews in "County Life Marshall" magazine. Plan to provide interviewed veterans with a pin and certificate of appreciations. If the veteran has expired, will ask family to provide information regarding their service. Hope to start with this 1 day and continue interviews as Vietnam Veterans are identified.

Lt. Colonel Jerry Ericsson (Ret) spoke at Star of Destiny, NSDAR to relay his experiences as a decorated helicopter pilot in Vietnam and how the war forged the future of his life. As a tribute to him, Star of Destiny has purchased an engraved brick in Lt. Col. Ericsson's name and it has been placed in the Vietnam section of the Veteran's War Memorial, Plaza of Liberty in McAllen, Texas

A large display case in the City of Eagle City Hall building will be filled with items to honor and remember the eight servicemen from Idaho that to this day remain Missing in Action from the Vietnam War. After learning of the display, a local veterans group arranged a viewing for its members who came together with friends and family to view the display.

NSDAR Silver Bow Chapter, MT will coordinate efforts with VFW Post 1448 and VFW Auxiliary 1448 of Butte, MT to honor the 24 Montana soldiers killed in the Vietnam conflict. Personal stories and oral histories will be thoughtfully collected from the families of these heroes, to be archived for posterity

We would like to order 300 Vietnam Veterans Pins for our members at Vietnam Veterans Chapter 899 located in Bordentown New Jersey. We would like to start this event this Saturday during our monthly meetings until every members have been present a pin.

Exhibit and bring pictures and stories to the library

To Honor Vietnam Veterans.

The purpose of this event is hold an appreciation luncheon honoring the Vietnam Veterans within our congregation along with their families. We will have a "then and now" slide show highlighting each veteran along with their job description and highlight their contributions while serving during the Vietnam War. A proclamation and plaque will be presented to each Vietnam Veteran by a member of the clergy and lunch will be served.

President General Young will be honoring Vietnam veterans at every stop during her official travels to meet with chapter regents.

The FFA Commemorative Partner event was held in conjunction with a leadership panel referred to as "Leadership Giants Panel". Student delegates attended the session as one of several break-out discussion events. About 300 students and faculty advisors participated. Panelists included: Major General Robert M. Dyess Jr. (US Army); Dr. Conniee Baggett, PhD (Penn State University); and, Major General Arnold Fields (USMC Ret). Fields provided an overview of the Vietnam War Commemoration and encouraged individual chapters to become Commemorative Partners. FFA officials asked participating students to write "Thank You" notes to veteran, which would be taken to various veteran homes and similar venues and presented to Vietnam veterans. Two symbolic Vietnam veterans were invited to the event and were presented the lapel pin at a formal ceremony attended by many students, faculty, and convention guests. FFA has over 7,000 student chapters across the US. The Commemoration's strategic objective is to enlist all chapters as Commemorative Partners. FFA chapters reside at local high schools in every state and represent the very communities that the Commemoration hopes to mobilize as agents to thank and honor Vietnam veterans. The Commemoration should robustly support this Commemorative Partner, which could potentially become one of the Commemoration's most significant contributors. FFA members will attend a leadership workshop led by a panel of Vietnam Veterans including Major General Fields. After the discussion, members will be encouraged to write thank you notes to Vietnam Veterans, which will be sent to Sharon Hodge at VVA. This workshop is conducted during the National FFA Convention& Expo, which is a closed event and attended by 64,000 FFA members, parents and agriculture teachers/advisors.

Honoring the Past - Inspiring the Future A time to enjoy amazing aerial performances, static displays, battle reenactment, authentic Vietnam era Helicopters, Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, USAF F-16 Falcon, USN F-18 Hornet, and many vintage aircraft from WWII forward honoring those who have served and sacrificed to keep our country free. We expect at least 500 Vietnam Veterans as well as 850-1000 family members during this weekend air show. We are requesting 200 Lapel Pins, which is smaller than the number of Vietnam Veterans expected, as we want this to be a special occasion for our Vietnam Veteran and to be presented by one of our own Vietnam Veterans. We are not sure of the logistics to have one of our own available as well as a photographer for the presentation is the reason for the lesser number. This should be an exciting event and we are all looking forward to it and will make sure it is a success. We also have a specific request that the Bumper Stickers are the one with the UH-1 Helicopter if at all possible.

As Chair for our Chapter, I plan to continue to present the message about the Commemoration, try to get more partners and set up programs for next year. The supplies I am ordering will help me with these presentations. I like to hand out actual samples of the materials available to me. Since these will be informal get-togethers, I do not need lapel pins at this time. I already have 2 meetings in the scheduling stage. Note: This is how I was told to request these items since I don't have an actual event at this time.

Publicly honor and recognize Vietnam Veterans with the State Certificate of Honor and DoD Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin presentation. All events will be directly supported by GDVS Central Office and attended by GDVS personnel either from Atlanta or from the local Veteran Field Service Office.

Co-hosted by State of Georgia, Georgia Dept. of Veterans Services, JFHQ- GA Veterans will receive a certificate, signed by Gov. Deal, that expresses gratitude; also, family members of deceased vets.

Video interviews with Vietnam Veterans. A copy of the interview will be given to the veteran and a copy will be mailed to the Library of Congress for archiving.

Visual exhibit of mementos and pictures from local Vietnam Veterans to show how it was in Vietnam and what the folks at home were doing to support the men and women in Vietnam.

*Luncheon Speaker on Oct 30 to inform representatives from WVA, NC, MD, DC, DE, and SC about the Vietnam War Commemoration - Commemorative Partner Program *Recognize, thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice

State Visits

During the 2015 Fall Board of Directors Meeting, PVA desires to thank and honor 35 of their members that served during the Vietnam Era, for their service, valor and sacrifice and present a Vietnam Lapel Pin. Each member continues to serve in key strategic positions making an invaluable contribution to PVA and the nation. VWC Director provide overview of program to all BOD Mbrs.

Vietnam War Commemoration staff ran out of pins at the VVA National Convention, so this is follow-up request for pins so we can thank and honor our Ohio chapter members.

Beaverton Post #124 is refurbishing and relocating one of the oldest Vietnam Veterans Memorials in the United States. The Memorial, dedicated in June 1968, lists all the Oregonians killed in the war as of the date of dedication, many added later. The building where this memorial was for almost fifty years had sold and the remodeling put the memorial in harms way. The Beaverton Post has removed the Memorial from its old location and it is safely stored. The Post is presently securing funds to build the Memorial's permanent home in our Veterans Memorial Park. This is an expensive project, approx $130,000. We have secured $63,000 to date but we are reaching out to the community, organizations and corporations for financial help. Please visit our website for more information: www.beavertonpost124.org .

To openly state the sincere thank you and show the admiration due the Vietnam Veterans.

Lt. James Monroe Chapter of NSDAR will recognize local Vietnam Veterans for their service with a program and refreshments. The invitation will be open to the community.

“My Vietnam Battle Buddy” Essay Contest Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration October 30 - November 20, 2015 What – The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, along with Nautilus®, honors our Vietnam veterans with the second event in 2015 commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, the “My Vietnam Battle Buddy” essay contest. Vietnam veterans and family members will have an opportunity to share stories and memories of their experiences of having a “Battle Buddy” and how it affected their lives. Family members may also enter by sharing memories on behalf of their veteran family member. When – October 30 - November 20 (event duration includes Veteran’s Day, November 11) Why – The 50th Vietnam Anniversary Commemoration events recognize Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices and to show our respect and gratitude for their service. This event invites customers to write a 200 words-or-less essay about their experience of having a “Battle Buddy” and the difference this made during their time in the Vietnam theatre. A photo may be attached along with their essay. Many Exchange customers have had family members serve in the Vietnam War or were part of the war themselves. The goal is to increase awareness of their Vietnam veterans and to honor them for their service. Customers enjoy entering contests and winning prizes. Customers also like sharing special moments and stories about what they have experienced themselves or how they have helped a loved one. Who – Nautilus® (sponsor) will award prizes to four winners: - 1st Place Winner – Schwinn 470 Elliptical Bike - 2nd Place Winner – Schwinn 270 Recumbent Bike - 3rd Place Winners – (2) Schwinn 170 Upright Bike Where – Contest information and instructions will be available October 30 at http://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/patriot-family/contests.htm, under the Patriot Family Connection. Customers can submit their entries through this site.

MARKETING TOOLS FOR OUR OFFICE. WE HAVE A SEPERATE TABLE JUST TO HONOR THE VIETNAM VETERANS THAT COME INTO OUR OFFICE, THIS PULLS MAY OF THEM INTO KNOWING ABOUT THE PROGRAM, AND IN RETURN LETS ME KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO BE RECOGNIZED.

Participated in Operation Stand Down. Gave out toiletry kits with personal care items and "thank you for your service" cards.

Our DAR chapter's Historic Preservation is collecting questionnaires regarding Vietnam Veterans experiences. This is an ongoing project and will conclude in March 2016. These questionnaires will be converted into a narrative form and compiled for the Katy Library.

The Lapeer County Committee members proposed to the county newspaper that they run an interview of a Vietnam Veteran once a month for the three years of the National Commemoration. The Lapeer County Press agreed and has run full page up to 1 1/4 pages of individual interviews of Lapeer County Vietnam Veterans. The articles have been very educational and have given a very real picture of the war from our heroes eyes. This publication covers more than Lapeer County. Public publication 2015-2018 Anticipated attendance is a guess as I don't know the county distribution hard copy and internet.

Three DAR members assisted the Yazoo City Chamber of Commerce and the Yazoo City DAR group as they hosted the Vietnam Veteran Moving Wall.

The Witness to WAr Foundation, in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War, has conducted, or assisted with, 92 interviews with Vietnam veterans all across America. Martin Madert attended the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association, Mobile Riverine Force Association, and Combined Action Program reunion in 2015 and preserved the stories of those in attendance. In addition to some individual interviews conducted in veterans' hometowns, these interviews cover a wide variety of experiences that our young soldiers faced between 1961-1975. The response to the project was very positive and the foundation has been invited back to continue its work at their next reunions. Many new contacts were made and made aware of the Commemoration's goals which may lead to further interviews in areas that might have been previously untouched. Locations of interviews conducted: -Peachtree Corners, GA: Aug. 10-14, 2015 with Joe Galloway -Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Assoc. Reunion, Washington, DC: Aug. 25-28, 2015 -Patriots Colony, Williamsburg, VA: Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2015 -Mobile Riverine Force Assoc., Indianapolis, IN: Sept. 3-5, 2015 -Washington, DC: Sept. 21-24, 2015 with Joe Galloway -Georgia: Individuals in Athens, Atlanta, and Columbus -Combined Action Program Reunion, San Diego, CA: Nov. 8-11, 2015 -South Carolina: Individuals in Camden and Charleston: Dec. 2015

The chapter compiled the Illinois Vietnam War Era Honor Roster Volume II to honor these veterans. This book lists Illinois Vietnam veterans and include name, rank, branch of service, service years, and identifies if they veteran was a war veteran or era veteran.

Presentation of the DoD 50th Anniversary Commemorative Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to Pentagon visitors.

Vietnam Veterans were able to show their military items, photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia. Veterans moved some of their items out to Commemoration shows. Lapeer County Commemoration group moved items from museum to exhibits and back to museum through the 3 years. On special days Vietnam Vets were at the museum to greet people and talk to them about the exhibit the last being 12/20/17.

U.S. Representative Martha McSally will be honorsing the Vietnam War veterans of Arizona's 2nd District.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall will be honoring the Vietnam veterans of Michigan with a personal presentation to Vietnam veterans that visit. Please contact the POC for more information.

Project Healing Waters outings