By Allison Green
U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees and a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, today presented Vietnam veterans from West Michigan with commemorative lapel pins to honor their service in the Vietnam War. The ceremony, which was held at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, is part of a national effort to honor the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
“Michigan is home to more Vietnam veterans than any other era, and it is an honor to present these heroes with a token of recognition for their incredible sacrifices on behalf of our nation,” said Senator Peters.
“It is the spirit and valor of our brave men and women in uniform that makes our military the finest in the world. As we observe the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, we honor all those who answered the call of duty during a tumultuous time in our nation’s history.”
Senator Peters’s office offers the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins to living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975. Michigan veterans interested in receiving their lapel pin should complete the form available here.
Senator Peters, the son of a World War II veteran and a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, has been a strong voice in Congress for our nation’s veterans and service members. Last year, President Obama signed into law Peters’s amendment to help veterans erroneously discharged from the military due to behavior linked to mental traumas, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Peters has also co-sponsored legislation that would extend VA disability and health care benefits to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard deep-water naval vessels, as well as legislation to study the impact of Agent Orange exposure on the health of children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans.
