Harrisburg – State Senator John DiSanto and Perry County Commissioners Brenda Benner, Paul Rudy Jr., and Stephen Naylor will honor local veterans of the Vietnam War era during a ceremony on Sunday, July 29, 2018, as part of the Ickesburg Bicentennial Celebration.
“As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, it is important to take this opportunity to show our appreciation for the Americans who served on active duty during these wartime years,” said DiSanto. “I am honored to recognize the contribution and sacrifices of these veterans on behalf of their country.”
“When I heard Ickesburg was bringing in the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall as part of their bicentennial, I thought it would be the perfect occasion to incorporate a Vietnam Veterans Pinning Ceremony for Perry County into the event,” DiSanto continued.
During the ceremony, Senator DiSanto will present eligible veterans with the Commemorative Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin designed as “A Lasting Memento of the Nation’s Thanks.” The Perry County Commissioners will present a certificate of recognition.
To be eligible for the pin, the recipient must be a living veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, regardless of service location.
Commissioner Chairman Benner, speaking for the commissioners, said, “We are pleased to offer the assistance of the Perry County Veterans Affairs department in organizing this event, and we are proud to pay tribute to our Vietnam War era veterans for fighting for freedom and American security.”
Eligible veterans are asked to register online at www.senatordisanto.com/vietnam-veterans-50th by July 1. Registrations may also be made by calling Senator DiSanto’s office at 717-582-2454 or Perry County Veterans Affairs at 717-582-5133.
The Veteran’s Ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Willie Snyder Park, 10350 Raccoon Valley Road, Ickesburg. An optional church service conducted by Faith United Church will precede the ceremony at 10:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be available following the ceremony from the Perry Historians. It is recommended that non-veteran attendees bring lawn chairs in the event available seating reaches capacity.
For more information about services for veterans in Perry County, please visit www.perryco.org/Dept/VA/Pages/VeteranAffairs.aspx and www.senatordisanto.com/veterans-resources/.
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801