Georgia Governor Nathan Deal will issue a proclamation declaring March 29, 2014 as Vietnam Veterans Day in Georgia at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25 in the North Wing of the State Capitol.

The theme of the ceremony, which falls on National Medal of Honor Day, is “A Tribute to Georgia’s Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipients,” and the Georgia Department of Veterans Service will individually recognize each of the state’s 12 native sons who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

One of those native sons, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James E. Livingston (Major General, Retired, U.S. Marine Corps) will be on hand to give remarks.

Also on hand will be Claude M. Kicklighter (Lieutenant General, Retired, U.S. Army), Director of the Department of Defense Office of Commemorations.

“Vietnam veterans deserve our sincere respect, appreciation, and public recognition,” GDVS Commissioner Pete Wheeler said. “We gather to honor the brave Georgians who served in that conflict, and we honor the service of every man and woman who put on a uniform and answered their nation’s call to service.”

Program participants will include the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association, the West Atlanta/Douglas Choral Society, and the Westlake High School Junior ROTC.

An estimated 254,000 Georgia residents — approximately one-third of the state’s total veteran population — are Vietnam War veterans.

As the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War begins, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service invites all Georgians to pay tribute to the service and sacrifices of these brave men and women.