Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler will host a recognition ceremony Monday for Vietnam veterans in which the veterans will receive a special lapel pin.
The event will be at 1 p.m. at the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17 Post Home, 5054 Monticello Road, Jefferson City; admission is free, and it is open to the public.
"The main purpose of the event is to thank the Vietnam veterans for their service (and) to give them recognition," said Lauren Mann, press secretary for Hartzler.
"The congresswoman felt like we should really do something in-person to represent these veterans and get to talk with them, get to meet them, get to thank them in person. And that's kind of what sparked her inspiration to plan this," Mann added.
The blue and gold lapel pin is engraved with an eagle on the front and a special message on the back. As of Friday, 130 Vietnam veterans had registered and will receive pins during the program.
Along with the presenting of pins, the event will include remarks from the congresswoman, a posting of colors by the Smith-Cotton U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), the singing of the national anthem by the Lewis and Clark Middle School choir, remarks from Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and more, Mann said.
Word of the event was spread through "people who have been involved in Missouri Veterans Commission, local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) chapters, local DAV (Disabled American Veterans) chapters" and other organizations, Mann said.
To pre-register, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/vietnam-veteran-recognition-event-tickets-264948958467.