The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) welcomes all Vietnam War era veterans, their families and their supportive communities to Kentucky’s first major event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
The event is part of the national 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, which runs from 2013 to 2025. Its purpose is to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families’ service, honor and sacrifice.
“KDVA is honored to represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner,” said KDVA Commissioner Heather French Henry. “I urge all Kentuckians to join us throughout the Commemoration in recognizing, thanking and honoring the Vietnam Veterans and families in every community.”
The event begins at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Vernon Cooper Lane in Frankfort.
Special guests will include Gov. Steve Beshear, Kentucky’s Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Don Jenkins, “We Were Soldiers Once” author Joe Galloway, Kentucky veteran and American Idol runner-up Jimmy Rose and state and local officials.
After the ceremony, members of the board of directors for the Memorial will be available to answer questions about the memorial, the sundial design of which is unique among war memorials. The names of Kentucky’s 1,103 fallen soldiers in Vietnam, including six from Crittenden County, are carved into the base in a design that allows the shadow of the gnomon to fall on the name of each service member on the date he died. The memorial provides rubbing paper for reproducing the carved name of a loved one.
Galloway will also be available to sign copies of his books brought by attendees.
The following men with Crittenden County ties died in the Vietnam War:
- Spc. James K. Hughes, 1966.
- Pfc. Bobby J. Jennings, 1967.
- Spc. Charles L. Doom, 1967.
- Pfc. Johnny W. Lindsey, 1968.
- Spc. Leon Beard, 1969.
- Maj. Billy Joe Williams, 1970.
