AUGUSTA, Maine — The Veterans Administration of Maine is holding a ceremony Tuesday to honor and thank those who served in the Vietnam War between 1955 and 1975 “regardless of location” and to remember the sacrifice made by those who didn’t return.
“They didn’t get treated well when they came home,” Jim Doherty, a spokesman for the VA in Maine, said of Vietnam veterans. “What we’re trying to do is make up for that.”
Gov. Paul LePage and his wife, Ann, are scheduled to attend the ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Togus Theater, also known as Building 210 at the VA Togus Medical Center.
“Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration and National Cemetery Administration will be participating and will recognize all Vietnam veterans that attend,” Doherty said in an email.
Maine lost 341 soldiers in the Vietnam War and some combat veterans never were honored for their service and sacrifice upon their return stateside, which is why it is so important to thank them now, Doherty said.
Under a presidential proclamation by Barack Obama, a 13-year commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War started on May 29, 2012, and runs until Nov. 11, 2025, which is Veterans Day.
Similar events are scheduled at VAs across the country, Doherty said.
The Maine event is also an opportunity to reach out to veterans to see if they need any services from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Togus, the state’s sole VA medical center.
“Vietnam veterans do not need to register for the event and only need to arrive prior to the 10 a.m. commencement of the formal program, during which the Vietnam veterans will be presented commemorative pins and a commemorative certificate,” Doherty said. “We would also like to extend a cordial invitation to all veterans, families, friends and the general public to come recognize and honor Maine’s Vietnam veterans.”