Vietnam veterans to be honored tomorrow

The recognition ceremony, hosted by NAS Jacksonville and the Greater Jacksonville Area USO, will be held in Hangar 117. Crenshaw and Vitale will present each veteran with a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in honor of their service to our country.

Crenshaw, the U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District, which encompasses nine counties and includes both NAS Jacksonville and NS Mayport, has recognized in past ceremonies more than 1,200 veterans from both World War II and the Korean War. This year's ceremony will add another 250 veterans to that total.

Eligibility for this year's ceremony includes members of the armed forces who were awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. The medal was awarded to those who served in Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace between July 3, 1965 and March 28, 1973. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period were also eligible for the medal. Armed Forces members who qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal by service in Vietnam between July 1, 1958 and July 3, 1965 will also be recognized this year.

"Vietnam veterans served our country with honor during one of our most tumultuous times as a nation," said Crenshaw. "They answered the call of duty, but when they returned home many did not receive the recognition they properly deserved. These brave individuals helped fight for freedom and democracy at a time when their country needed them and this ceremony will help show our appreciation."

The master of ceremonies will be NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. He will identify