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Last updated on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners granted the John Wallace Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to place their traveling flag display on the courthouse lawn.
Kenna Hodges told the commissioners that the flags will represent 91 veterans from Lawrence who have passed away this year. 23 of the flags in the center of the V formation will represent those from Lawrence County that served and died in the Vietnam War.
The flags will be on display during the Welcome Home/Appreciation Day celebration for Vietnam War veterans Saturday, May 9 on the Lawrence County Courthouse lawn.
According to Lawrence County Veterans Services Officer Brad Bough, who will emcee the event, activities will pay tribute to the millions of military veterans who served during the Vietnam War.
"These military veterans did not get a proper welcome home after the war," Bough says. "They didn't receive the recognition they rightly deserved. The welcome home event will remember the thousands that died fighting in the war and is being held to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the official ending of the Vietnam war."
John Wallace DAR will be providing certificates of appreciation to Vietnam veterans in conjunction with the welcome home activities.
Martha Cox, chairman of the project, is requesting a form be completed to assist with the completion of the certificates.
Veterans or their families can contact Cox by email at tccox1@hotmail.com to request a form. Mail the completed form to Martha Cox, 318 Dixie Highway, Mitchell, IN 47446.
Eligible wartime periods per the Department of Veterans Affairs for Vietnam era veterans are Feb. 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975, for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam (actual boots on the ground) during that period; otherwise, it's Aug. 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975.
The certificates for veterans will be distributed at the event.
John Wallace DAR is a commemorative partner with the Department of Defense and through this partnership, they may request certificates for former, living prisoners of war; in memory of a Veteran listed on the Vietnam wall in Washington, D.C; for unaccounted for or missing in action as listed by the Department of Defense; for a surviving spouse of a deceased Vietnam veteran who died after the war of other causes.
These certificates may be requested on the same form, but they will be prepared by the Department of Defense.
Certificate request forms are also available at the Bedford American Legion, Mitchell American Legion, the Mitchell VFW and the Oolitic VFW and the Veterans Affairs Office at the Lawrence County Courthouse.
The event will also feature a motorcycle ride, food and family entertainment.
Bikers participating in the ride should arrive at Revere's Food & Fuel at 9 a.m. The ride commences at 10 a.m. and concludes at noon on the courthouse square.
Following a series of salutes and speeches, local bands Loose Ends and No Expectations will perform at Harp Commons until 8 p.m.
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