Vietnam War Veterans Honored at Franklin VFW Ceremony

| March 27, 2018

FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Veterans of the Vietnam War were honored at a pinning ceremony held on Monday morning at the Franklin VFW Post 1835.

The event was held at 10:00 a.m. It opened with a brief welcome and the Presentation of Colors led by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.

Representatives of the offices of U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, State Senator Scott Hutchinson, Representative, R. Lee James, and Venango County Veterans Affairs attended the event.

The Franklin Silver Cornet Band played the National Anthem, and those gathered recited the Pledge of Allegiance before LCDR Gary Atkinson, USN (retired) gave the invocation.

Bob DeSousa, State Director for Senator Toomey, spoke on behalf of the senator at the event. He thanked those in attendance and introduced the pins being presented, which were created by the Department of Defense 50th Vietnam Commemorative Commission.

DeSousa also noted that with this ceremony, almost 4,000 Vietnam Veterans have been recognized in Pennsylvania.

“Senator Toomey feels very strongly that our Vietnam Veterans were not given the same welcome as our World War 2, Korean, and my generation Veterans, and while our country may be a little late to it, we’ve not forgotten. It’s important to say welcome home to our Vietnam Veterans,” DeSousa said.

Kim Scott, District Office Manager, also read a statement on behalf of Representative R. Lee James.

“We know this honor is late in coming to the 2.59 million Americans who served our country between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975,” the statement began.

“A grateful nation thanks and honors you. Congratulations, and that you for serving our country.”

Senator Toomey was also unable to attend the event but made a video presentation for those in attendance.

“I am proud to represent nearly a million Veterans who call Pennsylvania home,” Toomey said in the video.

“Earlier this year, President Trump signed a bill into law that I authored with my Democratic colleague, Joe Donnelly. It designated each March 29 as National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day. And we’ve been able to help many Veterans receive the medals and honors that they rightfully earned during their service but actually never received.”

After Senator’s Toomey’s video, the presentation of pins began. Each Vietnam veteran in attendance was called up to receive their pin in turn.

The event closed with a final musical number provided by the Franklin Silver Cornet Band.


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