There is still time to "Join the Nation"

Grace King Ellsworth, National Vice Chair, Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration

October 29, 2021

In 2008 the National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War, hence the National 50^th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration began. The Commemoration is to last for 20 years, the time the United States was in the Vietnam War. This Commemoration will end November 11, 2025.

So that means Chapters still have time to join and become a Commemorative Partner. Wouldn’t it be great if every DAR Chapter was a Commemorative Partner? How do you start the process? Go to our members.dar.org website and click on Committees, then Commemorative Events, next go to the box on the right, click forms. The first listing under the Vietnam War 50^th Anniversary Commemoration is How to become a Partner. If fact, every listing there will help you to not only become a Partner, as a Partner you may request free materials. There are ideas for many events that Chapters can have.

What are the requirements to be a Partner? Chapters agree to have two events a year for three years. I dare say Chapters are already having events that would qualify. On the Events site of the National Commemoration, (www.vietnamwar50th.com) you report what event you are planning with the free materials you would like and then after your event you file an After-Action Report. Now is the time to join or at least continue your Partnership. Flags can be presented during 4^th of July parade. Does your Chapter help put flags on graves during Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day or plan a Veteran’s Day event or parade? Wreaths across America? Vietnam War Veterans are at or in those places, so you have had an Event to Honor those Veterans.

Invite a Vietnam Veteran to a Chapter meeting and present him with a Lapel Pin and thank you Certificate. Templates are available on the National Commemorative Events site. There are many ways to have an event.

Best of all, NSDAR is a Partner and has seven contests each year that Chapters can enter. They are listed on the members.dar.org website. To get there follow the same directions as before and then click on the 50^th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Events. Follow instructions to enter.

1.Best Single Chapter Event: Honoring Vietnam Veterans at an organized chapter ceremony.

2 Best Multi-Chapter Event: This is a jointly sponsored event Honoring Vietnam Veterans. At least 2 chapters must work together to put on this event. Both, and multi chapters can send a joint report.

3. Best Chapter Vietnam War Display: This can be at a function, or in a community building (such as a city hall), or a display that can be transported to various functions.

4. Best Chapter Publication: This is a printed document, such as a book, pamphlet, program etc. that honors Vietnam Veterans. It is not news coverage such as newspaper coverage. It can however be a published magazine article.

5. Best Single State Event: Honoring Vietnam Veterans at an organized state event. Must have presented the US Commemorative lapel pin and a DAR Vietnam Veteran Certificate to the Veterans.

6. Best State Publication: This is a printed document, such as a book, pamphlet, program etc. that honors Vietnam Veterans. It is not news coverage such as newspaper coverage. It can however be a published magazine article.

7. Largest number of Vietnam Veterans honored at a single chapter organized event. Must have presented the US Commemorative lapel pin and a DAR Vietnam Veteran Certificate to the Veteran

These contests will also continue until November 2025. Winners are announced and presented at Continental Congress each year. It could be your Chapter.

Don’t let the time run out. Join the Nation today and become a Commemorative Partner to Honor and Thank those Veterans who were not welcomed home as the Heroes they actually were.

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