The Francois
Godfroy Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the
Montpelier American Legion Post 156 and the Legion Auxiliary will host the
third annual Vietnam Era Veterans Commemorative 50th Anniversary Breakfast from
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 29 at the American Legion Post 156, 112 W. Green St.,
in Montpelier.
Those planning to
attend the breakfast are asked to call the American Legion at (765) 728-5783
between 4 and 8 p.m. by March 26 to say how many guests will be attending. Beverly Furniss, DAR
Chapter Regent, said all persons who served in the military between 1955 and
1975 are invited to attend and bring guests.
The breakfast will
be followed by a recognition ceremony and
a speaker.
The DAR is one
of several national organizations that is partnering with the Department of
Defense to conduct the program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the
Vietnam War. By presidential
proclamation on May 25, 2012, the Commemoration extends from Memorial Day 2012
through Veterans Day 2025.
The Commemoration
began with the Presidential inaugural event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(The Wall) in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, and per
presidential proclamation, the Commemoration extends through Veterans Day 2025.
The Commemoration
honors all United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed
Forces at any time between Nov. 1, 1955 to and May 15, 1975, regardless of
location. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 7
million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in
this time frame. There is no distinction between veterans who served
in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War
period.
The US Congress
articulated five objectives for the Commemoration:
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
these veterans.
To highlight the
service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of
federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed
Forces.
To pay tribute
to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States
during the Vietnam War.
To highlight the
advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research
conducted during the Vietnam War.
To recognize the
contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the
Vietnam War.
SOURCE: Kokomo Perspective