Over 180 veterans from the Vietnam era were honored during a ceremony hosted by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) and Representative Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) at Hamburg Area High School Thursday night.
The veterans are residents of the 29th Senatorial District, which Argall represents, comprised of all of Schuylkill County and the western and northern portion of Berks County.
“Tonight’s event is a reminder of how blessed we are as a nation,” Argall said. “These veterans sacrificed a lot to serve their country during the Vietnam conflict. This commemoration event is our way of saying thanks and recognizing them for their selflessness and service.”
“We want our Vietnam War veterans to know that we remember their sacrifices,” Jozwiak said. “These veterans answered their country’s call to service and that is something we will always remember.”
During the event, Argall and Jozwiak presented each veteran and widows of Vietnam era veterans in attendance with a special Vietnam veteran’s lapel pin. Pastor Mark Johnson of the Bausman Memorial United Church of Christ in Wyomissing provided the invocation while the Hamburg Area School District’s Aerial Boundaries choir sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Seventy-two Vietnam era veterans from Schuylkill County and 117 Vietnam era veterans from Berks County participated in the program.
The commemorative event was held in conjunction with the Department of Defense as part of a nationwide tribute to Vietnam era veterans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war.
