Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced that she will be hosting a Veteran’s Day pinning ceremony for Vietnam War veterans in Dracut on Wednesday, November 10^th. The event will be held at 4:30pm at the Dracut High School Auditorium and feature nearly 60 Vietnam veterans receiving the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.

“It’s an honor to partner with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor the service of these incredible veterans,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Each of them and their loved ones have sacrificed so much to protect the values we cherish as a nation, and we owe them a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. I’m glad that our community is able to come together for this ceremony to show our Vietnam veterans our deep appreciation for all they’ve done and all they continue to do.”

Trahan is hosting the event in partnership with the Dracut Department of Veterans’ Services and the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, a national 50th-anniversary commemoration organization dedicated to honoring Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. The veterans who will be recognized on Wednesday all served in the Vietnam War between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, and are from Dracut or nearby communities. Additional attendees for the event, which was supposed to be held last spring but postponed because of the pandemic, include Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Cheryl Lussier Poppe, State Representative Colleen Garry (D-36^th Middlesex), and Dracut Town Manager Ann Vandal.

The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin features a bald eagle in the center representing the courage, honor, and dedicated service of every veteran. The eagle is displayed in front of the American flag with six stars representing the servicemembers of the six allied nations who fought alongside American soldiers during the war. Trimming the front of the pin is a blue circle matching the color of the American flag and symbolizing vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Within the blue trim is a laurel wreath signifying victory, integrity, and strength. Finally, on the back side of the pin, a message reads “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”

In 2007, the United States Congress passed legislation to conduct a nationwide program commemorating the 50^thanniversary of the Vietnam War. The program was launched in 2012 by President Barack Obama and concludes on Veterans Day in 2025, marking 50 years from the Vietnam War’s end in 1975. As part of that program, the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration and its Commemorative Partners like Trahan have partnered together to honor the 6.2 million Vietnam veterans living at home and abroad, as well as the 9 million families of all who served.

The event is open to members of the public. Details for members of the press interested in attending will be sent at a later date. Questions about the event can be sent to Trahan.Press@mail.house.gov.

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