Vietnam Veterans to be honored in Monroe next month

Over the past two and a half months, George Walton Academy students were engaged in a humanities intensive study on the Vietnam War entitled “I Did It For You.” This culminated in a special reception on March 25 as a show of appreciation to local veterans of the Vietnam War.

But they’re not done yet, said Rebecca Williams, director of marketing and strategic communications for GWA. 

“On Sat., April 28, 2018, at 3 p.m., Vietnam Veterans from Monroe and the surrounding area will be honored at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony at First Baptist Church of Monroe (202 McDaniel Street, 30655). This honors ceremony is a collaborative effort between the students, faculty, and administration of George Walton Academy. The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, April 17, 2018,” Williams said. “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 Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs  Commissioner Mike 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 Department of Defence) 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 “GWA C&P Ceremony.

For more information, call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Public Information Officer, at (404) 656-5933. 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 Roby and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.

Williams said of the nearly 21,000 certificates issued since March 2015, more than 16,500 have been presented in nearly 300 “Certificate & Lapel Pin” honors ceremonies across Georgia. Monroe, Walton and the counties bordering Walton County is the home to some 67,000 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.

The video Youtube video below is a photographic wrap up of the Vietnam War study by GWA students with a musical background provided by the GWA Chorus.