Vietnam-era veterans are invited to be pinned at ceremony in Highland Park Sept. 19

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. - The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) will host a pinning ceremony for Vietnam War-era veterans at Soul Harvest Cathedral in Highland Park Thursday, Sept. 19. MVAA Director Brian L. Love, a Marine Corps veteran, will recognize Michigan Vietnam veterans in a brief program to officially welcome home the service members.

The ceremony will include an Honor Guard, remarks by Pastor Bishop, Mayor MacDonald, Director Love, pinning for Vietnam veterans followed by light refreshments. All U.S. veterans who served on active duty between Nov. 1, 1955 - May 15, 1975, are welcome to be pinned whether they served in-country, in-theater, or were stationed elsewhere.

"I am honored to officially welcome home these brave men and women," said Love. "It is so important that the Vietnam-era veterans are recognized and appreciated for their courageous service and the hardships they endured."

Vietnam veterans and their families are invited to join MVAA at the Soul Harvest Cathedral located at 16299 John R. Street in Highland Park.

More than 400,000 Michigan service men and women served during the Vietnam War era and more than 2,600 gave their lives in service to their country and their names are among the 58,318 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.