Vietnam Veterans event is March 28
The 7th annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Event is Saturday, March 28, at Harvest Time Guesthouse, 413 Hwy. 98 West. In keeping with President Obama’s proclamation encouraging Americans to honor its Vietnam veterans from 2012-2015, the 13-year period representing each year of the war, Tylertown’s Veterans Event Committee this year honors Vietnam veterans including the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team of the Mississippi Army National Guard, and this year includes the families of KIA Vietnam veterans of Marion County, specifically the nine families of PFC Henry Ray Expose, Fireman Ronald Chapman, SP4 George Henry Haddox, SP4 Edward Eugene Fortenberry, CPL Johnny Lee Wilks, PFC Melvin McCray, PFC Jack Joseph Jordan Jr., SP5 Thomas Michael Hux and Captain Frank Spiers.
The guest speaker for the event is Brigadier General George E. Irvin Sr., U.S. Army (Retired).
Irvin’s professional career includes acting state director of USDA Rural Development, state director of USDA Rural Development on several occasions; special assistant, USDA, Washington, D.C., 1998-2001; among other positions with USDA. He began his career as a secondary agriculture teacher with the Western Line School District in Greenville in 1971.
Irvin enlisted in the military in 1971. He attended the Mississippi Military Academy (OCS) from 1977-1978 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in June 1978.
Irvin’s total military service encompasses over 36 years; seven years as an enlisted man and over 29 years as a commissioned officer. Over the years he’s received numerous decorations from both the U.S. Army and Mississippi National Guard.
The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day begins with registration at 10 a.m.
Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jackson Regional Office, will be onsite offering updates on existing claims, processing of new claims and answering questions concerning Veterans benefits.
The public is invited to attend and show their support for veterans and active military. Lunch will be served.
For more information contact Commander Clifton “Pop” Carr, American Legion Post 120, 601-876-8762 or Alice Richmond, 601-876-3634; or email washingtonservice@yahoo.com
