12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
This is a joint effort with the Moore, OK VFW and Moore, OK American Legion Chapters. We are doing mass advertising through newspaper/websites/television/individual posters at Libraries, churches, etc. The event will be held in an auditorium with stadium style seating and a room for refreshments. We are inviting several state government officials and military members who were in Vietnam, possibly prisoners to speak.
The big event is now history and what a wonderful event it was. It was estimated that we had over 250 in attendance; so many that we used the big auditorium at Hillsdale College. Lola Ames and Betty Worley collected and prepared 155 framed Appreciation Certificates which we presented along with the new Bronze lapel pin to each Vietnam Veteran. The Vietnam Veterans and families enjoyed speakers: Major General Myles Deering, Adjutant General, State of Oklahoma, and State Senator Anthony Sykes. They listened to the Moore High School group, the Mane Attraction, sing the: "National Anthem" and "In Flanders Field" and an old American jazz number "Sugarfoot Stomp" by the Jazz Ensemble from Moore High School.
Representatives from the three organizations who sponsored the event spoke: Betty Worley, Regent of Malcolm Hunter Chapter NSDAR, a Commemorative Partner, Mike Devenitch, VFW, and the representative from American Legion of Moore. We heard poems from a Vietnam Vet Chuck Norris, that were touching; Mike Eaton, the quartermaster from the Moore VFW explained "America's White Table" and Kathy Griffith, Moore Veteran's Council welcomed the Veterans and read a proclamation from the city. After the closing prayer, the visitors lined up on the left aisle while veterans walked to the front to receive their certificate and lapel pin. Veterans walked on to the Walk of Honor to be thanked by visitors before they left the auditorium. Chapter members served cookies, coffee, and lemonade to guests after the event.