On Saturday morning, October 28, 2017, at 11 a.m., Vietnam Veterans from Seminole  and surrounding counties 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 American Legion Post 157 – Seminole County (GA Highway 39 South, Donalsonville, 39845).    

Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, October 18 (10/18/17). 

Vietnam Veterans that 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 GDVS Commissioner Mike Roby, who will participating in the ceremony.  “We hope to eventually present every Georgia veteran with a Certificate of Honor recognizing their service during the Vietnam War.”

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 “American Legion 157.” For more information call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Public Information Officer, at (404) 656-5933.

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.

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 Governor Deal and Commissioner Roby.

Of the nearly 19,000 certificates issued since March 2015, some 15,200 have been presented in over 270 presentation ceremonies across Georgia.

Seminole and its surrounding counties are home to about 5,000 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.