Blue Ridge Veterans Celebration picnic and ceremony

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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - A way to honor Veterans and their families is coming up this weekend. The annual Blue Ridge Veterans Celebration picnic and ceremony is Sunday, November 6, 2016. Part of the program includes a special recognition of the men and women who served during the Vietnam War era.

There are 7.2 million living American veterans that served during that time.  Sunday, local Veterans will be given pins are minted by the government to recognize the 50th commemoration.

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"I'm still not sure it's enough recognition for some of these folks that have served but it's been amazing to see the response from out right pleasure to a great deal of sadness because it does bring back memories of that period," said John Miller, Retired Army Colonel.

Vietnam Veterans were honored with a special pin during the 2015 event.

The event is free for Veterans and one guest. It's $5 for all others. It Sunday from Noon - 3 p.m. at the Vinton War Memorial and includes lunch, live music, a ceremony honoring our Veterans and an Exhibit of Vietnam Combat Art. The art show consists of 39 prints of the original pieces of art housed at the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington D.C.

Kroger is providing the food including entrée, desserts and drinks.

The Veterans Ceremony starts at 1 p.m. with Sarah Forgey, the Curator of the Army Art Collection, Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, the National Anthem and patriotic song by Germaine Fletcher and Prayer for Peace and benediction by VA Chaplain Harold Bryant. Col. John Miller will be presenting Vietnam Commemoration pins.

WSLS 10 is a proud sponsor and Jenna Zibton is the emcee again this year.


About the Author:

You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.