Hats Off to Our Vietnam War Era Veterans
Captain Jacob Van Meter Chapter welcomes home 134 Vietnam War Era veterans
By Joyce Miller
Chapter Registrar
Captain Jacob Van Meter Chapter welcomed home Vietnam War Era veterans with a “Hats Off To Our Vietnam War Era Veterans” luncheon on March 17, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Over 200 people attended the community event to welcome home and thank the Vietnam War Era veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices.
Linda King, Chapter Regent, called the assembly to order, and Debby Sims, Chapter Chaplain, gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Preamble to the Constitution, and the American’s Creed.
King gave a welcome and introduced dignitaries. Julia Hood, Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution Vice-Regent, gave greetings from KSDAR. Lt Colonel William Gehr, U.S. Army Retired, gave a toast to the American flag.
Chapter Vice-Regent Lisa Greene led the United States Armed Forces Medley with veterans standing with the playing of their service song.
Lorretta Sherod, State Coordinator National League of POW/MIA Families gave a tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Sharon Williams, KSDAR Second District Director, presented George Dille, Secretary of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1051, Elizabethtown, KY the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Certificate and Flag.
Joyce Miller, Chapter Registrar, introduced 68 Vietnam War Era veterans who came forward individually to be presented a “welcome home” medallion by Chapter Regent Linda King. Larue County Judge Executive Blake Durrett and Hodgenville Mayor James Phelps greeted each veteran with a handshake and thanked them for their service. Each veteran was presented with the National Defense 75th Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemorative pin, a DAR appreciation certificate, and a red baseball hat with an American flag pin.
Sharon Willians introduced 14 surviving spouses of Vietnam War Era veterans. Surviving spouses were presented with a National Defense Certificate of Appreciation and the commemorative pin for surviving spouses, as well as 10 Vietnam War Gold Star Family members. Each Gold Star Family member was presented with a National Defense Certificate of Appreciation and the commemorative pin for Gold Star Family members.
Emory Riley, Senior Pastor of Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, played and sang Lee Greenwood’s patriotic song, “God Bless the USA.” There wear tears, smiles, and hugs among the veterans, their families, and community members.
Closing remarks by Chapter Regent Linda King and closing prayer by Chapter Chaplain Debby Sims ended the very emotional service.
Lunch was served in honor of the Vietnam War veterans.
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Chapter members delivered gift bags with the National Defense appreciation certificate and commemorative pin to seven Gold Star family members and five surviving spouses who could not attend the event. Chapter members also delivered gift bags with red baseball hat with flag pin, National Defense commemorative pin, and DAR appreciation certificate to 35 Vietnam War veterans who were unable to attend the event.
Since the veterans at Carl Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center in Radcliff were unable to attend the event, 33 Vietnam veterans at the Center received a red baseball hat with the commemorative pin and flag pin and a framed DAR certificate of appreciation. Chapter members delivered the gift package on March 28, 2023. A program had been planned, but was cancelled since the Veterans Center was closed to the public because of an outbreak of Covid.
A total of 134 Vietnam War Era veterans were recognized by Captain Jacob Van Meter Chapter. and members of the community.