VALDOSTA, Ga. — At 2 p.m. May 4, Vietnam veterans from Lowndes and the surrounding counties will have an opportunity to take part in a long overdue public recognition of their military service at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony scheduled to take place at Crossroads Baptist Church, 3001 Country Club Drive in Valdosta.

This honors ceremony is hosted by Halcyon Hospice and Crossroads Baptist Church. The deadline to sign up is 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.

Georgia Department of Veterans Service Commissioner Mike Roby will join Halcyon Hospice and the church in presenting the State’s Certificate of Honor and the Defense Department’s Commemorative Lapel Pin to those Vietnam veterans who sign up, both presented for honorable military service during the Vietnam War.

“It is never the wrong time to say thank you to a veteran, and that is especially true for so many Vietnam War veterans who were never properly thanked when they returned home,” Roby said. “We hope to eventually present every Georgia veteran with a Certificate of Honor recognizing their service during the Vietnam War.”

Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War (from June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975) is eligible to receive this certificate. This includes veterans with service in-country and those who served in other capacities.

Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the ceremony can contact the GDVS Central Office via email bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us with their DD Form 214 attached, or fax their information (name, address, and phone number) and DD Form 214 to (404) 656-7006. Submissions should be marked with “Valdosta certificates.”

For more information call Brian Zeringue, GDVS Director of Public Information, at (404) 656-5933.

Vietnam veterans may also receive this honor posthumously. Surviving spouses may receive the state certificate and a Defense Department Certificate of Honor and lapel pin as long as the required documentation (veteran’s DD Form 214) is presented with the sign up application.