03-25-26 Commissioners Issue Proclamation For Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day (Photo) - 03/25/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2026

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman were honored to be asked to be a part of the Roseburg VA Health Care System’s Third Annual Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event held today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.  A copy of the complete video presentation of the ceremony can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

The Third Annual Roseburg VA Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event included:

• A reception and luncheon for Vietnam Veterans and their families
• Memorial Veterans Wall, flag, and boot displays
• Welcome by Roseburg VA Health Care System (RVAHCS) Chief CDCE and Master of Ceremonies Traci Palmer
• Opening prayer by Acing Chief RVAHCS Chaplain Patrice Borne
• Presentation of the colors by the Umpqua Valley Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter #805 Honor Guard.
• Opening remarks by RVAHCS Interim Director, Dr. Christina Hansel Cellura.
• Special Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans proclamation presentation by Douglas County Commissioner and Veteran Services Liaison Tim Freeman
• Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) presentation was presented by ODVA Appeals & Special Advocacy Director, Joe Glover
• Palmer invited VVA Chapter 805 President Bill Duncan to the podium to talk about the veteran Honor Flight program.  Southern Oregon Chapter Director for Honor Flights of Oregon, Ken Wilson was in attendance to talk about the program with veterans. 
• A beautiful patriotic musical medley including God Bless America, The Liberty Bell, Shenandoah, an Armed Forces Hymn Medley, Americana Medley and the Navy Hymn was performed by the Navy Band Northwest (NBN).  NBN also proudly played anthems for each of the United States Military branches while Vietnam Veterans were asked to stand during their respective branch anthem - Army: "The Caisson Song" (also known as "The Army Goes Rolling Along"), Marine Corps: "The Marines' Hymn", Navy: "Anchors Aweigh", Air Force: "The U.S. Air Force", Space Force: "Semper Supra", and Coast Guard: "Semper Paratus"  
• The story behind the significance of the challenge coin was shared by retired United States Marine Corps Major, Dr. Shawn Tyson.
• A special coining ceremony was held, during which each attending Vietnam Veteran received a specially designed commemorative coin in honor of their service. Coin presenters included ODVA Joe Glover, RVAHCS Interim Director Christina Hansel Cellura, Douglas County Commissioner Tom Kress, Douglas County Commissioner Chris Boice, Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin, Douglas County Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, Douglas County Clerk Dan Loomis, and Dr. Shawn Tyson.
• A ceremonial 21-gun salute was presented by the Umpqua Valley Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Chapter #805 Honor Guard was followed by the playing of taps on the cornet performed by the Navy Band Northwest. 
• Palmer then invited Dennis “Ande” Anderson to the podium.  Ande, a Vietnam Veteran volunteered to provide a statement of response about the Welcome Home event from the Vietnam Veteran Community.  

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners proclamation was presented by Board Chair Commissioner Tim Freeman, on behalf of all three commissioners and proclaimed Sunday, March 29, 2026, as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Douglas County. They continue to honor with somber reflection the United States of America’s 13-year Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War which concluded in 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.  During the reading copies of the proclamation certificates were presented to Vietnam Veterans in attendance.    

"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 Freeman.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Welcome Home Event concluded with a door prize drawing and a sincere message from Palmer.  The Commissioners truly and sincerely Thank and 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/.

###

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 and Photo Collage Attached. Photos © K.Rodriguez/Douglas County.