Bosque County, DAR honor Vietnam veterans

• Debbie Stubbs (center, right) bestowed a Quilt of Valor to Vietnam War Veteran Jerry Van Dyke (center, left) during a ceremony commemorating Vietnam Veterans Day on Wednesday, March 27, at the Bosque County Courthouse in Meridian. Photo by Bosque River Valley Chapter, NSDAR
• Photo by Bosque River Valley Chapter, NSDAR Sue Felden, Bosque River Valley Chapter, NSDAR, (from left) and Bosque County Judge Cindy Vanlandingham hold a resolution honoring Veitnam Veterans Day during a ceremony on Wednesday, March 27, at the Bosque County Courthouse in Meridian.
• Bosque County, DAR honor Vietnam veterans

Vietnam War Veterans Day is held annually on March 29; this year it coincided with Good Friday.

Bosque River Valley Chapter, NSDAR hosted area Vietnam War veterans and family members at Bosque County Courthouse on Wednesday morning, March 27.

The event began with Sue Fielden, Bosque River Valley Chapter, NSDAR, Honorary Regent, leading the pledges to the flags of the United States and Texas, followed by our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” led by Vice Regent Susan Ferguson. Then an invocation prayer was given by Sue Fielden.

Bosque County Judge Cindy Vanlandingham was in attendance to help honor our Vietnam War Veterans. Judge Vanlandingham signed a proclamation honoring Vietnam War Veterans and proclaiming March 29 to be observed annually by Bosque County as Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Honorary Regent Sue Fielden welcomed the Vietnam War Veterans and all who were there to honor them. Several of the Vietnam War weterans shared comments.

Diane Hight, Founder and President of the organization Forever Young Veterans, was in attendance with her husband, Gregory Hight, Vietnam War Veteran. The Foundation dedicates time and resources to provide trips for Veterans to meaningful locations, including the War Memorials in Washington, DC.

The Foundation celebrates U.S. veterans for what they did for the country when they were young. Diane Hight spoke briefly, providing the background of the mission for “Forever Young Veterans.”

Fielden expressed that the Bosque River Valley Chapter, NSDAR, is privileged to be an official Commemorative Partner with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 officially recognizes March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Fielden stated that the Bosque River Valley DAR Chapter wants to present to every Vietnam War Veteran a certificate of Honor and lapel pin. She invited any Vietnam War Veteran present who has not already received the Certificate of Honor and lapel pin, to let her know before leaving the event.

She was pleased to also present to Judge Vanlandingham the Certificate of Honor and lapel pin for her uncle Gary Wayne, a Vietnam War Veteran who lives out of state.

Debbie Stubbs, a dedicated volunteer for Quilts of Valor Foundation, presented Quilts of Valor for two Vietnam War Veterans who were present. Vietnam War Veterans Gary Miller (US Navy) and Jerry Van Dyke (US Army) received the Quilts of Valor.

Also, Simone Wichers Voss received a quilt made by Debbie Stubbs, in recognition of her generous support of Quilts of Valor Foundation Mission and for the articles she has written honoring Bosque County Veterans.

Mrs. Toni Miller, wife of Vietnam War Veteran Gary Miller, graciously offered to give the closing prayer.