Vietnam veterans across the country are continuing to be honored following the 2011 declaration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account and connect your subscription to it by clicking here.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
ROCHELLE — Vietnam veterans across the country are continuing to be honored following the 2011 declaration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
Locally, the Rochelle chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will be holding a luncheon on Thurs., May 25 at 12 p.m. at the Roberts Armory to give special recognition to local Vietnam Vets.
The event will include the luncheon, a short program with a speaker and the awarding of certificates, commemorative pins, and bumper stickers to area Vietnam veterans.
Back in 2011, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced its program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war with the intent to “thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of those veterans.”
Individual DAR chapters across the country were then encouraged to join in the commemorations. In 2014, Rochelle’s DAR voted to become a commemorative partner, with Mary Lou Kator as chairperson of the Vietnam Commemorative Committee.
The commemoration includes all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the period of 1955 to 1975 and makes no distinction between those who served in-country, in-theater, or stationed elsewhere.
Vietnam Day
Recently President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 (S. 305) into law designating every March 29 as National Vietnam Veterans Day. March 29, 1975 was the final day U.S. troops were in Vietnam, after 20 years of involvement.
Commemorative Luncheon details
Area Vietnam veterans are invited to attend the luncheon on May 25 at 12 p.m. at Roberts Armory WWII Museum, 2090 Brush Grove Road, Rochelle. Please RSVP by May 22 to Mary Lou Kator’s email at ml.kator@comcast.net. Please include the name of the Vietnam veterans, branch of service, rank of discharge and the name of the guest attending, if any.
“Our chapter is honored to recognize the Vietnam veterans,” Kator said. “Along with the luncheon and guest speaker, we will present pins — we have a couple new types of pins along with bumper stickers as well.”
Along with the Vietnam Veteran lapel pin, new this year is the “Lone Soldier” and Family Tin Pins. Measured at nearly two inches, these pins can be worn by supporters of Vietnam veterans and their families. Also new this year is the “We love our Vietnam veterans,” “Vietnam War, I served, and “Join the Nation, thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families” bumper stickers.
