On Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at 11 a.m., Vietnam veterans from Peachtree City and the surrounding area will have an opportunity to take part in a long overdue public recognition of their military service at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony scheduled to take place at Peachtree City Christian Church, 500 Kedron Drive.
Above, GDVS Commissioner Mike Roby (center, left) and state Sen. Marty Harbin (center, right) presented members of American Legion Post 105 with their Vietnam War Certificates of Honor. The Legionnaires received their certificates at a ceremony held at the “Log Cabin” in Fayetteville in February 2016. Photo/Submitted.
This honors ceremony is a collaborative effort between state Representative Josh Bonner (District 72) and the Eden Project based in Fayetteville.
Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Service Mike Roby will join Representative Bonner of Peachtree City in the presentation of the honor certificates and lapel pins.
Vietnam veterans who sign up will receive the state’s Certificate of Honor and the Defense Department’s Commemorative Lapel Pin, both 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 Roby. “We hope to eventually present every Georgia veteran with a Certificate of Honor recognizing their service during the Vietnam War.”
Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War (from June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975, as recognized by DoD) is eligible to receive this certificate. 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 “214” to 404-656-7006. Either way, it needs to be marked “PTC Christian C&P Ceremony.”
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.
Each certificate is personalized with the Vietnam War veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, and dates of service printed over the seal of the state of Georgia and includes the official U.S. Department of Defense’s Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo. They are signed by Gov. Deal and Commissioner Roby. For more information call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Public Information Officer, at 404-656-5933.
Of the over 20,000 certificates issued since March 2015, over 16,000 have been presented in nearly 300 “Certificate & Lapel Pin” honors ceremonies across Georgia.
Peachtree City, Fayette and the counties bordering Fayette County is the home to nearly 50,000 veterans many of which are Vietnam Veterans.
Additional information about the Certificate of Honor Program and other veteran benefits is available at www.veterans.ga.gov.
