DFW News App

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, several local groups have teamed up on Saturday, March 29.

The “Never Forgotten and Forever in Our Hearts” commemoration will be held at the Lake Wichita Veterans Memorial Plaza from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Martie James, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said the group will hold a pinning ceremony, wreath laying, certificates, and more.

“We are looking forward to seeing as many of the Vietnam veterans as possible and their families,” James said. “Just want to let ’em know that we appreciate that they, when the county called them for duty, they were willing to step up and do what needed to be done even in a time that was going through political and social unrest.”

Sonja Gandy, honorary regent, said this is personally emotional for her because her father served in Vietnam, and she now works with veterans who struggle with PTSD.

“When our soldiers, our men and women, came back from Vietnam, they were not accepted as the men and women from World War II and World War I,” Gandy said. “And we still have Vietnam veterans who are struggling with the stigma of being a part of that era. Right now, we have 6 million veterans from Vietnam still living here in the US and abroad and 9 million family members who served with them, and that’s another group we want to recognize and honor.”

This event is free and open to the public.