(Seguin) — Seguin and Guadalupe County are on a mission to recognize all of its Vietnam Veterans. Vietnam veterans are invited to a special ceremony today in observance of all those who sacrificed their lives from Nov.1 1955 to April 30, 1975.
Dina Dillon, of the Guadalupe Valley Young Marines says the group will continue to recognize these vets by helping to pin those Vietnam Veterans who have not yet received their commemorative 50 year lapel pin. The ceremony is set for this afternoon at the Guadalupe County Veterans Outreach Center.
“The Young Marines are part of the Vietnam Veteran 50th Anniversary Commemorative Program. We are authorized to have ceremonies and give pins or a pin to a Vietnam Veteran and honor and thank them. It has an eagle on it and it says ‘A Grateful Nation is Thankful for You.’ It’s something that we can offer the Vietnam Veterans who have not received a pin yet and that’s what we are going to do. We’ve got currently 25 people signed up. I have additional pins available so if somebody hasn’t had an opportunity to RSVP, they can always give me a call or just see me before the ceremony. If not, then we can do it during the ceremony. I just won’t call their name,” said Dillon.
Although the 50 year anniversary was celebrated in 2017, Dillon says the effort to respectively honor each Vietnam Veteran with a commemorative pin continues on this March 29th, also known as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
“Yes, it’s over 50 years already but it started in 2017 and marked the anniversary and the President back then had said this is the official date — March 29 for our Vietnam Veteran Day to honor veterans and this is when the commemorative organization started with offering a pin to thank the veterans,” said Dillon.
Dillon says the group is especially excited about hosting the ceremony this year as it will be held in the new Veterans Outreach Center.
“The Guadalupe Valley Young Marines have teamed up, this will be our third year to work with the Guadalupe County Veterans Services. We just now happen to have a building to make it really nice and official. We’ve been doing it out at the SS American Memorial the last couple of years and now that there is a building, we can offer it here and then after the ceremony, we can come in and have a little visit and snacks,” said Dillon.
Those who have already received their pin are also encouraged to stop by today for a group photo and further recognition.
In addition to the pinning ceremony, Dillon says the center will also unveil a new effort designed to give the veterans the recognition that they each deserve.
“This year, we are going to start the Honor Wall and each year, we are going to post or put a picture of them or a certificate or something like that honoring their contributions in the area and stuff like that but we will start that this year,” said Dillon.
Today’s event will also welcome special guest speaker Lt. General Brad Webb.
The ceremony will be held today from 3 to 5 p.m. The Veterans Outreach Center is located at 205 E. Weinert St. Those wishing to RSVP in advance are encouraged to call 830-303-4188 ext. 1249.