ST. GEORGE — In a continuing effort to ensure every veteran of the Vietnam War is properly thanked for their military service, the Color Country Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is inviting all local Vietnam veterans to visit the Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit on Patriot Day, Sunday, September 11, 2022, for a Welcome Home reception.

Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of duty location (in-country, in-theater or stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period) are eligible to receive a special Commemorative Lapel Pin that was designed especially for them.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration program was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. It was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense and signed into law in January 2008.  Commemoration activities began in 2012 and are scheduled to continue through Veterans Day 2025.

Color Country Chapter, a registered “DOD Commemorative Partner”, has hosted two Welcome Home ceremonies in the recent past, both garnering national recognition awards from the National Society DAR.

“Although hundreds of Vietnam veterans have already been honored to date, there are hundreds more in Washington County who have not,” said Valerie King, honorary chapter regent and Wreaths Across America location coordinator.  “It is our goal to connect with and honor every Vietnam veteran and present each with their much-deserved lapel pin while there’s still time to do so,” King said.

If you or someone you know served during the Vietnam War period and would like to be recognized at the Wreaths Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit visit on September 11, 2022, please contact Karen Mangano, the chapter’s DAR Service for Veterans committee chair, at [email protected] or by phone at 435-414-8890. The veteran’s name and branch of service is needed to register.

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit crisscrosses the nation to share its mission:  REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those who have served and TEACH the children the value of freedom.  To learn more about this wonderful exhibit, click this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK6rgTEndQU.

Admission to the exhibit is FREE and residents of all ages are encouraged to drop by during its brief stay in St. George.  All veterans who visit the exhibit will receive a special gift from Color Country Chapter.