Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Set March 30 at Cape Canaveral Nation Cemetery
By Space Coast Daily // March 27, 2019
'Grateful Nation: from Sea to Shining Sea'
BREVARD COUNTY • SCOTTSMOOR, FLORIDA – The Support Committee at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and Cape Canaveral National Cemetery will co-host the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War.
Honorees will include those held 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.
The commemoration will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30.
“Grateful Nation: from Sea to Shining Sea,” will provide all Vietnam veterans, including the less-fortunate veterans, the opportunity to receive their deserved recognition and official Vietnam 50th lapel pin.
The Lapel Pin Symbolism:
Eagle – Represents courage, honor, and dedicated service to our nation; Blue Circle – Matches the canton of the American flag and signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice; Laurel Wreath – Victory, integrity, and strength; Stripes– represents the American flag; Star – the six allies who served, sacrificed, and fought alongside one another: Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea Thailand, and the United States; Message – “a Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” is embossed not the back, closest to the heart.
“The Vietnam 50th Anniversary lapel pin, although a small token, yet deep in heart and symbolism, proudly displays to everyone that Vietnam veterans, and their service to our country, are not forgotten,” said event chair Marylou Wade.
“We mean to show our respect in honoring all our veterans and their service, from sea to shining sea. Some may not even know they are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.”
Dr. Floyd “Hal” Kushner, (Vietnam POW, 1967-1973) will be the guest speaker. Kushner, a Daytona Beach ophthalmologist, was featured in the PBS documentary “The Vietnam War,” and will share his five and a half years of horrid survival as a Vietnam POW.
Dennis Vannorsdall, Brevard County Veteran Services Manager, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the anticipated crowd of 400 people.
The program includes Reading of Names (Vietnam burials since March 2018), soloist Suzy Cunningham (NASA), Chaplain Craig “Doc” Glynn (Vietnam Green Beret medic), Vietnam Huey helicopter, and WW II C-47 flyovers, Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, Terrier Soundband ensemble, Vietnam, POW/MIA, and Gold Star wreath presentations, along with formal military honors by the U.S. Army.
A Legacy Project group from California working with the National Cemetery Administration will be filming the event for viewing on the History Channel.
The program will end with an official Vietnam 50th Anniversary pinning ceremony.
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