Georgia is home to more than 234,000 Vietnam War veterans, and the state seeks to honor them with a new program to be unveiled next week.

Hosted by the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, “Vietnam Veterans Day in Georgia: A Salute to Georgia’s Vietnam Veterans” will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 30, in the North Wing of the State Capitol Building in Atlanta.

Distinguished guests include Governor Nathan Deal and Claude M. Kicklighter (Lieutenant General, Retired, U.S. Army), Director of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Commemorations.

The culmination of the event will be the unveiling of Georgia’s Certificate of Honor program for Vietnam War veterans. Governor Deal will formally award the first certificates to representatives from several Georgia veterans service organizations, and details will be announced for how every Georgia Vietnam War veteran may receive a personalized certificate through the new program. Program details will be published afterward at the GDVS website, veterans.georgia.gov.

“So many Vietnam War veterans were never properly thanked for their service to our country,” said GDVS Commissioner Pete Wheeler. “They risked their lives on our behalf, and the least of what we owe them is respect and gratitude. With this Certificate of Honor program, the State of Georgia acknowledges and respects the service of every Vietnam veteran.”
The ceremony and certificate program are part of Georgia’s ongoing efforts to recognize Vietnam veterans during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the war.

This ceremony is the fourth in a series honoring the service of Vietnam veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war. As an official Commemorative Partner of the U.S. Department of Defense in the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, the State of Georgia will be hosting commemorative events through Nov. 11, 2025.