Vietnam Pins Awarded on Veterans Day

ON SUNDAY, 08 NOVEMBER 2015. POSTED IN MEMORIAL DAY, PVVM UPDATES & NEWSrn

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rnVeterans Day at the Memorial will be jam-packed with an address by former PA Adjutant and Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig, a performance by the Philly Pops and the awarding of 50th Anniversary Commemorative pins to all Vietnam Veterans in attendance.rnrnMaj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig will deliver the keynote address at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Until this past February, Gen. Craig commanded the Pennsylvania National Guard and was responsible for the National Guard units – Army and Air – allocated to the state. His responsibilities also included supervision of the six state-owned veterans' homes and programs for Pennsylvania's one million veterans.rnrnA highlight of the day will be the presentation of 50th Anniversary Commemorative pins to Vietnam Veterans in attendance. The Memorial Fund Board is hosting the presentations with the Philadelphia Regional Office and Insurance Center, which is holding "Welcome Home" events in the region in partnership with the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration, whose lead federal agency is the Department of Defense. Local VA officials will be presenting the pins at the conclusion of the regular ceremony.rnrnThe Philly POPS Festival Brass will play a selection of patriotic songs and marches, as well as other music from the Great American Songbook. The performance will replace the recorded music selection normally played prior to the ceremony from noon to 12:30 p.m., when the event starts.rnrnImmediately following the ceremony, the Memorial will join with the Independence Seaport Museum at 211 S. Columbus Blvd. as it hosts a separate observance of Veterans Day memorial aboard Spanish-American War Cruiser Olympia from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The ceremony will be performed by the Living History Crew and fellow Vietnam veterans and will include the firing of Cruiser Olympia's signal guns.rnrnTours of historic ships Cruiser Olympia and Submarine Becuna will follow. Guests who attend the ceremony will also receive complimentary access to the Museum for the remainder of the day. Those veterans interested in attending the ceremony should contact the Museum at seaport@phillyseaport.org or 215-413-8616 as space is limited.