Certificate, Lapel Pin Ceremony To Honor Local Vietnam Veterans

DOUGLASVILLE, GA – On Saturday morning, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m., Vietnam veterans from Douglas county and the 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 Douglas County Courthouse located at 8700 Hospital Drive in Douglasville.

This honors ceremony is the collaborative effort between Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson, State Senators Donzella James (SD 35) and Mike Dugan (SD 30) and Douglas County Chairwoman, Dr. Romona Jackson-Jones.

Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby will present Vietnam veterans that 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.

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“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) 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 DD Form 214 to (404) 656-7006. Submissions should be marked with “Douglasville C&P Ceremony.”

For more information call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Director of Public Information, at (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 as long as the required documentation (veteran’s DD Form 214) is presented with the sign up application.

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 Georgia Vietnam War Certificate of Honor 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 over 22,500 certificates issued since March 2015, over 17,600 have been presented in over 310 “Certificate & Lapel Pin” honors ceremonies across Georgia.

There are over 116,000 veterans who reside in Douglas and the bordering counties; 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.

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