CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center working with local Veterans Service Organizations is reaching out to Vietnam Veterans and Family members in preparation for a special Vietnam War 50th Anniversary event – ‘The Certificate of Honor Program’.
Cary is a recognized commemorative partner with the Department of Defense in the 50th Anniversary program. The National committee responsible for activities has established a special recognition program to honor the unique service and sacrifice for four categories of Veterans and their families. The committee will be sending to Cary Medical Center certificates and corresponding lapel pins that will be presented during a special ceremony on Veterans’ Day in November. Bill Flagg, Director of Community Relations and Development at Cary said that the hospital will be reaching out to Veterans Service Organizations and the general public to identify those Veterans and families that have earned this special recognition.
“We are beginning now to reach out to these individuals and families in hopes of collecting the names and contact information”, said Flagg who is the hospital’s Veterans liaison.
“This is a long time in coming for these deserving Veterans and their families. We are looking forward to a very special ceremony on November 11th”.
The four categories to be recognized include:
– Former, living American POWs from the Vietnam War as listed by the Department of Defense
– Immediate family members (parents, spouse, siblings, and children) of American military personnel listed as missing in action and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War by the Department of Defense
– Immediate family members (parents, spouse, siblings, and children) of a Veteran who is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and who is not listed as missing or unaccounted for by the Department of Defense
– Surviving spouse, at time of death, of a Veteran who served on active Duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period 1 November 1955 – 15 May 1975 regardless of location of service.
Veterans or family members of Vietnam Veterans who meet any of the above criteria are asked to contact the Public Relations Office at Cary Medical Center. The hospital will soon be featuring the program on its website at carymedicalcenter.org. Veterans or families may register for the Certificate of Honor program on the hospital’s website as soon as the link has been created.
Bill Flagg said that other special events will be held during the week leading up to Veterans Day including the Annual Marine Corps League ‘Celebration of Freedom’ talent event. The program which will be held at the Caribou Performing Arts Center on November 4th, features multiple acts of local talent. Funds raised by the event benefit Veterans in need here in the County.
The United Veterans of Maine will also host a showing of two films during the week including ‘In the Shadow of the Blade’ a film featuring interviews and stories of Vietnam Veterans and ‘The Unknown’s’ a documentary film about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The organization will also host a spaghetti dinner and auction. Dates, times and locations will be announced later this year.
More information on the Certificate of Honor is available by contacting Cary Medical Center’s Public Relations Office at 498-1112 or by email at bflagg@carymed.org.
