By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Vietnam veterans and their spouses are invited to the 8th annual Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Dinner hosted by the Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) as a way to thank veterans for their service in the Vietnam War.
Chapter Regent Sandy Bewell said the annual dinner began when past Chapter Regent Theresa Tuttle heard a story of service members serving in Vietnam who looked up, saw the moon, and saluted the flag they knew had been placed there.
“Theresa decided that those like her husband deserved a proper thank you and welcome home,” said Bewell. “So that’s what we do. We thank and say ‘welcome home’ to those who attend our free meal of homemade spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, and desserts.”
The dinner will be held Friday, Aug. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Boat and Canoe Club in Grand Rapids, and is free for all Vietnam veterans and their spouses. Cost for additional guests and attendees is $5, and RSVPs are not needed.
“We typically have over 300 veterans and spouses attend annually,” said Bewell.
Those individuals who have not yet received their 50th anniversary commemorative lapel pin and certificate will receive one at the event.
One of the oldest chapters in the DAR, and the second oldest in Michigan, the Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter was chartered in 1896 and named for Sophie de Marsac Campau, the wife of Louis Campau, a founder of Grand Rapids.
DAR was founded in 1890 and is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization whose focus is promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and better education for children. DAR is also a commemorative partner with The United States of America Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration that was established by Congress to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War.
The Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter would like to thank this year’s venue sponsor, Carl A. Johnson American Legion Post #2.
