Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Honors over 150 Vietnam War Veterans

(Glen Ellyn, IL).... Vietnam War Veterans were honored and thanked yesterday for their service during the Vietnam War by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Veterans at the College of DuPage.  During the ceremony, over 150 Veterans were honored with a 50 year commemoration pin.  This national commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by the President as follows: In 2007, the 110th Congress incorporated language in H.R. 4986 authorizing the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.  

"The celebration is to honor and thank veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war, or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States, and to thank and honor the families of these veterans," said IDVA Director Erica Jeffries. "These veterans put their lives on the line for us. They deserve our recognition and respect for the sacrifices they undertook for our nation."