HUNTSVILLE — Citing a debt of gratitude owed, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong is planning a special pinning ceremony for Vietnam War era veterans in his district.
The 50th anniversary commemoration is set for Sept. 5 to honor the dedication and sacrifices made by the veterans in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District.
According to Strong’s office, any district resident who served from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, can receive a commemorative pin and congressional recognition at the event.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War to ensure freedom would prevail over the evils of communism,” said Strong (R-Monrovia). “This ceremony will honor these courageous Americans as heroes who risked their lives in defense of freedom.
“My office is proud to participate in the Vietnam Veterans 50th Anniversary Pin Program. North Alabama has a large veteran population, and this is an opportunity to let us honor those who bravely served our nation with a small gift of gratitude for their sacrifice.”
The program incorporating pinning ceremonies for veterans was created after the passage of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.
To request a 50th commemoration pin, complete the Vietnam Veterans Anniversary Pin Program form at strong.house.gov. Pins may be requested regardless of in-person ceremony attendance.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.
The ceremony will be Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Auburn University Applied Research Institute, 345 Voyager Way in Huntsville.
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