PORT LUDLOW — Today Rep. Derek Kilmer will honor veterans of the Vietnam War era at a pinning ceremony as part of the war’s 50th anniversary commemoration.
The ceremony will be at Fire Station 31, 7650 Oak Bay Road in Port Ludlow, at 4:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to attend.
Kilmer will present commemorative pins created by the Department of Defense to attending United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.
“Fifty years after the Vietnam War, too many of the 7.2 million living Vietnam veterans who served our nation have not been recognized for their service and sacrifices,” Kilmer said.
“This simple pinning ceremony is a small way for our community to do something the nation should have done 50 years ago — say thank you.”
Kilmer represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula. He is running for re-election Tuesday.
The pinning program was created after a 2007 directive from Congress to establish an official commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Kilmer is one of 10,000 commemorative partners nationwide who have volunteered to host veteran pinning events.
So far this year, Kilmer’s office has presented pins to 223 veterans at events in Port Angeles, Ocean Shores and Elma, his office said.
