Vietnam Veterans in Southwest Arkansas are invited to a ceremony to recognize their service at Hope’s 1939 Courthouse.  The 13th annual National Vietnam War Day ceremony will start at 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 29th.

One of the event’s organizers, Bonnie Raff of the Daughters of the American Revolution said, “The Vietnam War lasted 13 years.  The veterans returning home were treated very poorly!  This was the first war in recent times that we didn’t go into the war to win it. It has sometimes been called a peacekeeping mission.”

She continued, “The Department of Defense has tried for 13 years to undo the injustice done to the people who returned to the U.S.”

Veterans, their families and supporters are welcome to join the ceremony. At last year’s Vietnam War Day, a U.S. flag was honorably retired and six veterans of that war were presented with eagle pins.  The 12 names of fallen soldiers from Hempstead County were also read. Afterward, a wreath was laid in front of a commemorative flag.