FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2024
Commissioners Issue Proclamation for
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress were honored to be part of the Roseburg VA Health Care System’s Vietnam War Commemoration 50th Pinning Ceremony held today, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. A copy of the video presentation of the entire ceremony can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
The special Roseburg VA Vietnam War Commemoration 50th Pinning Ceremony included the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Display; an opening prayer by Roseburg VA Chaplain Dwayne Brown; presentation of the colors by the United States Coast Guard; singing of the national anthem by the Coco Pella Quintet; opening remarks by Roseburg VA Health Care System (RVAHCS) Executive Director, Patrick Hull; a key note speech by Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) Director, Dr. Nakeia Daniels; a proclamation presentation by Douglas County Board of Commissioners Board Chair, Commissioner Chris Boice; pinning ceremony honoring 136 local Vietnam Veterans (plus an additional 40 Vietnam Veterans at the inpatient facility at the Roseburg VA); and the ceremonial playing of taps on the cornet followed by a 21 gun salute performed by representatives from the Umpqua Valley Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter #805.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of all three commissioners and proclaimed Friday, March 29, 2024, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Douglas County. It honors with somber reflection the United States of America’s 13-year Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War which will continue through 2025. The proclamation encouraged all citizens to rightfully honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their bravery, courageous military service, and sacrifice. Following the reading, Commissioner Boice, Commissioner Freeman and Commissioner Kress presented proclamation certificates to Umpqua Valley VVA Chapter #805 Board of Directors, Bill Duncan, Bill Mixon, Roger Boucock, Terry Weekly and Lonnie Shields.
"The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration is a vow that we as a nation will never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our U.S. Armed Forces. With conviction, we pledge our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans who were denied a proper welcome home upon returning to U.S. soil more than 50 years ago," stated Commissioner Boice.
Vietnam Veterans in attendance at the special Vietnam War Commemoration 50th Pinning Ceremony today were presented with a commemorative pin and welcomed home by a legion of honored guests including ODVA Director Dr. Nakeia Daniels, RVAHCS Director Patrick Hull, RVAHCS Acting Associate Director Kelly Bowman, Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice, Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress, and Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin.
The Vietnam War Commemoration 50th Pinning Ceremony concluded with a sincere message from RVAHCS Director Hull and expressed hope, honor, and tribute to our all veterans and their families. The Commissioners truly and sincerely Welcome Home our Vietnam Veterans. The Douglas County Commissioners would like to thank the Roseburg VA for inviting them to be part of this amazing ceremony honoring our Vietnam Veterans.
To learn more about the United States of America’s 13-year Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War visit https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov
Proclamation Attached. Photos © K.Trenkle/Douglas County. Individual photos available upon request.