FORKS — U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer on Sept. 4 will conduct a Congressional pinning ceremony for Vietnam era veterans as part of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War.
The ceremony will be at 4 p.m. at the Forks campus of Peninsula College, 481 S. Forks Ave.
Kilmer — who represents the 6th Congressional District which includes the North Olympic Peninsula — will present a commemorative pin to veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of theater.
“We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period,” Kilmer’s office said. “All were called to serve and none could self-determine where they were stationed.
“A spouse or next of kin may claim a pin on behalf of a deceased, eligible, veteran.”
The City of Forks and members of the city council, along with Peninsula College, the American Legion Post 106, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9106, are working together to organize the event, Kilmer’s office said, adding that Boy Scout Troop 4467 will present the colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the pinning ceremony.
Community members are encouraged to attend to show their support for their friends and neighbors who served in Vietnam.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served during this time frame.
Veterans interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Mary Jane Robins at MaryJane.Robins@mail.house.gov or 360-797-3623. RSVPs also are accepted at https://tinyurl.com/PDN-pinning.
