12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
For Immediate Release
Feb. 23, 2017
Contacts:
Lynn O’Brien (Kowall): 248-245-9755
Connie Platte (Bieda): 517-373-8360
Save the Date: Kowall and Bieda announce Fraser event honoring Gold Star Mothers and Vietnam era veterans
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall and Sen. Steve Bieda on Thursday announced they are sponsoring a formal Vietnam veteran lapel pinning ceremony on Monday, March 20 in commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the war.
Kowall, R-White Lake, and Bieda, D-Warren, are hosting the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Event to Thank and Honor Vietnam Veterans and Their Families” in Fraser to give long-overdue recognition to Vietnam War era veterans, Gold Star Mothers and their families. They encourage all interested residents and veterans to join them in paying tribute to the men and women who were too often forgotten when they returned home.
Kowall said the event, made possible in part by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 20, at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6691, 17075 Anita Ave., in Fraser. The Post 6691 Auxiliary will serve lunch.
RSVP to Post Commander Larry Rosseel at LPRosseel@comcast.net or Lynn O’Brien in Kowall’s office at 517-373-0563.
Gold Star Mothers Elsie Mannerow and Mary Jean Linville, whose sons were killed in action in Vietnam, will be the guests of honor. Each will receive an “In Memory Of” pin exclusively presented to Gold Star Mothers. Teri Johnson, president of the Michigan department of Gold Star Mothers, will attend the ceremony. Johnson’s son, Army Sgt. Joe Johnson, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.
The lawmakers will provide a Vietnam War Commemorative Lapel Pin to U.S. veterans who served on active duty at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 – May 15, 1975, regardless of location. The symbolism attached to the lapel pin is significant, Kowall said.