Oklahoma History Center to Honor All Vietnam War–Era Veterans in Pinning Ceremony

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma History Center (OHC), in association with Villages of OKC, Humana Market Point and Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight, is proud to host a pinning ceremony honoring all the servicemen and servicewomen, active or reservists, who served anywhere in the world during the Vietnam War era—the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. The event will be held in the Devon Great Hall of the OHC on Tuesday, March 29, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This event is free and open to the public.

March 29 was designated as Vietnam Veterans Day by the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, to be commemorated with annual nationwide events. Guided by the stipulations in that act, only Vietnam War veterans and their families are recognized. However, the Vietnam War Commemoration organization is providing recognition pins to honor any U.S. veteran who served on active duty or in the reserves in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, Vietnam or otherwise. Family members of any veteran not able to be present may also receive this pin.

The ceremony will include a welcome to the OHC from Trait Thompson, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, followed by remarks from newly appointed Secretary of Military Affairs John Nash; Capt. Bob Ford, a Huey helicopter pilot during the war; and Michael Do, representing the South Vietnamese community. The 145th Army Band—the “Governor’s Own”—will play its repertoire of patriot music, various service songs and a special tribute to the fallen.

The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. For additional information, call 405-522-0765 or visit www.okhistory.org.

The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.