ANDER CRENSHAW

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE · SERVING FLORIDA’S FOURTH DISTRICT

Congressman

For Immediate Release June 23, 2008

Contact: Jeremy Steffens (202) 225-2501

 

Crenshaw Invites Vietnam Veterans to Participate in Ceremony

Congressman to Honor Vietnam Veterans at Annual Mayport Ceremony

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congressman Ander Crenshaw announced he will again recognize the contributions of Vietnam War veterans living in the 4th Congressional District of Florida by presenting them with certificates of Special Congressional Recognition in honor of their service to our country.  Last year’s ceremony acknowledged 269 veterans.  This year’s recognition ceremony will be held on November 7, 2008, at Naval Station Mayport, but to participate, all eligible veterans must register before October 3, 2008.

Members of the armed forces who were awarded either the Vietnam Service Medal or the Vietnam Campaign Medal are eligible for this year’s ceremony.  The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to those who served in Vietnam and its contiguous waters and airspace between 3 July 1965 and 28 March 1973.  In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period were also eligible for the medal.  Armed Forces members who qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal by service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 will also be recognized. 

The Vietnam Campaign Medal was awarded to those who served for six months in South Vietnam during the period March 1, 1961 to March 28, 1973 or served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN armed forces for an aggregate of six months. Criteria for both medals are set by the Department of Defense and recipients should have the medal listed on their DD-214s.  If you are a Vietnam veteran and were eligible to receive either the Vietnam Service Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal and live in the 4^th Congressional District, please contact Congressman Crenshaw’s office or go to his website to obtain an application.

“Vietnam veterans served our country with honor during one of our most tumultuous times as a nation,” said Congressman Crenshaw.  “They answered the call of duty, but when they returned home many did not receive the recognition they properly deserved.  These brave individuals helped fight for freedom and democracy at a time when their country needed them – this ceremony will help show our appreciation.”

To determine eligibility for the certificate, veterans must complete an application and submit a copy of their service discharge document.  Veterans must be a current resident of the 4^th Congressional District of Florida to participate in this program.

The deadline for submitting applications for this year’s ceremony is October 3, 2008.  Applications can be obtained on Congressman Crenshaw’s website, which can be found at http://crenshaw.house.gov/, or by contacting his local offices at 904.598-0481 or 386.365-3316 or for those in the 850 area code, 888.755-5607.  Completed applications and documentation should be mailed to the following address: 1061 Riverside Avenue, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32204.

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