Ceremony set to honor local Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam veterans from DeKalb County and surrounding counties will have an opportunity to take part in a public recognition of their military service at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. at the American Legion Harold Byrd Post 66, 30 Covington Road, Avondale Estates. 

The state’s recognition of these veterans is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. The Georgia Department of Veterans Service created the Vietnam War Certificate of Honor program in partnership with the Office of Governor Nathan Deal in 2015.

The honors ceremony is the collaborative effort between American Legion Post Harold Byrd Post 66 and the GDVS Decatur Veteran Field Service Offices. The deadline for Vietnam veterans to sign up for the ceremony is Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby will present Vietnam veterans who sign up with the state’s Certificate of Honor and the Defense Department’s Commemorative Lapel Pin, both presented for honorable military service during the Vietnam War.

“It is never the wrong time to say thank you to a veteran, and that is especially true for so many Vietnam War veterans who were never properly thanked when they returned home,” said Commissioner Roby.  “We hope to eventually present every Georgia veteran with a Certificate of Honor recognizing their service during the Vietnam War.”

 Georgia veterans with honorable service during the Vietnam War (from June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975) are eligible to receive the Certificate of Honor. This includes veterans with service in-country and those who served in other capacities.

Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the ceremony can contact the GDVS Central Office via email bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us with their DD Form 214 attached or fax their information (name, address, and phone number) and DD Form 214 to 404-656-7006. Submissions should be marked “Avondale Estates C&P Ceremony.” 

For more information, call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Director of Public Information: 404-656-5933.

Vietnam veterans may also receive this honor posthumously. Surviving spouses may receive the state certificate and a Defense Department Certificate of Honor and lapel pin by providing the required documentation (veteran’s DD Form 214) with the sign-up application.