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Vietnam Vets Honored At 50th Anniv Ceremony

Courtesy Department of Defense

The VA Black Hills Health Care System is hosting a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration in Rapid City today. Its purpose is to welcome home Vietnam veterans and to recognize their service and sacrifice. 

As part of the nation’s continuing effort to recognize those who served in Vietnam, veterans of that conflict will receive a lapel pin during an honoring ceremony in Rapid City.

VA Black Hills Health Care spokesperson Teresa Forbes explains.

Credit Courtesy U.S. Army
Combat operations at Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam, November 1965.

“We’ll have some brief remarks and presentations,” says Forbes. “And then we’ll have a call forward for Vietnam veterans for a formal ‘Welcome Home” and they’ll receive a lapel pin. So it’s just our opportunity to provide a long-overdue ‘Welcome Home’ to our Vietnam veterans.”

A VA Benefits Claims Clinic is scheduled prior to the “Welcome Home” ceremony. During this clinic veterans can discuss claims for compensation benefits as well as enrollment and eligibility for health care with VA representatives.

A Veterans Town Hall meeting is also on the agenda. During that open forum VA officials will share updates on and hear directly from beneficiaries about VA services.

Event information:

Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration: May 23, 2016 – VFW Post 1273 – 420 Main Street – Rapid City, S.D.  

Benefits Claims Clinic: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony: 5:00 p.m.

Veterans Town Hall: 5:30 p.m. (commences at close of Commemoration Ceremony)