SEA GIRT — The 254th Regiment of the New Jersey National Guard held a Vietnam Veterans Recognition and Commemorative Ceremony on Monday to kickstart Veterans Appreciation Month.
The event was held at the National Guard Training Center inside the Regional Training Institute building, in remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the last U.S. troops vacating Vietnam and the disestablishment of the US Military Assistance Group Vietnam in March of 1973.
President of the Monmouth County Chapter of the Association of the United States Army [AUSA] Edward Thomas, who served as the master of ceremonies for the event, said that they had invited 75 veterans and their families from 11 local organizations, which included additional chapters of the AUSA from Fort Dix and northern New Jersey chapters.
“Vietnam veterans represent nearly 10 percent of their generation, they fought under challenging conditions and when their service ended they were not always welcomed when they returned home,” Mr. Thomas said. “So today, in some small way, we want to welcome you [our veterans] back and thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Following the guest speakers, Mr. Thomas recognized each of the veterans individually by their organizations, welcoming them to come forward and receive specially made memorial pins and coins.
According to retired Sgt. Maj. Myles Cappiello, who is also the president of Special Forces Association Chapter XIX, these tokens had been made by the Special Forces Administration and the Association of the United States Army specifically for the event and the veterans in attendance. These oversized golden coins were engraved with the words “Grata Domon,” which translates to “welcome home” in latin.
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