ATLANTA (AP) — Gov. Nathan Deal has announced a new program aimed at honoring the state's 234,000 Vietnam veterans with "certificates of honor."

Deal told about 250 people in the Capitol on Monday that the state appreciates Georgians' service during the Vietnam War, which claimed the lives of 1,584 people from the state.

Also on hand were Pete Wheeler, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, and retired Lt. Gen. Claude Kicklighter, now director of the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Commemorations.

Deal says a new program will be unveiled next week that will allow all Georgia Vietnam veterans to receive personalized certificates like those handed out to veterans at the ceremony.

The event was hosted by the Georgia Department of Veterans Services and the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association.