Vietnam War Commemoration Commemorative Planned Events

Partners Reference Guide Oct 4th_Final

Vietnam War Commemoration Commemorative Planned Events

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
OFFICE OF COMMEMORATIONS

COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Director’s Welcome Letter .................................................................................................... 3
The Commemorative Partner Program ............................................................................... 4
Commemorative Partner Responsibilities ........................................................................... 5
Commemorative Partner Benefits ........................................................................................ 6
Suggested Events and Activities ........................................................................................... 7
Request for Materials ........................................................................................................... 11
Promotional Materials .......................................................................................................... 11
Educational Materials ........................................................................................................... 11
Ceremonies ............................................................................................................................ 12
Generic Ceremonial Program or Sequence of Events ................................................. 15
Commemorative Flag........................................................................................................... 17
Flag Description ................................................................................................................ 17
Flag Protocol ..................................................................................................................... 18
Commemorative Seal ........................................................................................................... 19
Seal Description ................................................................................................................ 19
Approved Use and Restrictions ...................................................................................... 20
After-Action Report ............................................................................................................. 21
Contacting the Commemoration Staff .............................................................................. 21

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

DIRECTOR’S WELCOME LETTER
Dear Commemorative Partner,
Thank you for volunteering to become a Commemorative Partner with The United States of
America Vietnam War Commemoration. This guide is advisory in nature and provided to help you
in assisting a Grateful Nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam Veterans and their families
especially those who lost loved ones. As more programs are added and become operational, we will
notify you, so that you may take advantage of new materials, new ideas and new opportunities to
integrate into your program to thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families.
This guide provides you with the mission of the Commemorative Partner Program, your
responsibilities and benefits, and the procedures necessary to order materials or event support (as
available) to enhance your activity. We have also provided brief instructions on how to conduct a
ceremony and the proper protocol of the use of the Commemorative flag and seal.
Finally, we’ve provided a format for an after-action report for which we are requesting you provide
after your events so that they can be listed on the Commemoration website to highlight your
organization’s efforts. This will assist other Commemorative Partners with their event planning.
Thank you, again, for your willingness to assist this Nation in properly thanking and honoring our
Vietnam Veterans and their families. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with
your organization. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our
website www.VietnamWar50th.com, the Commemorative Partner Program email at
CPP_vnwar50th@wso.whs.mil or phone (877) 387-9951.
Very Respectfully,

Claude M. Kicklighter
Lieutenant General, USA (Retired)
Executive Director

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

THE COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER PROGRAM
MISSION
The Commemorative Partner Program (CPP) is designed for Federal agencies, States, local civilian
and military communities, international governments, veterans’ organizations, civic groups,
industries, educational institutions, libraries, museums, business and other organizations to assist a
grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam Veterans and their families to include those
who lost loved ones during the war and those families still awaiting the fullest possible accounting of
their loved one. It is both a multi-level government and community grass-roots outreach initiative
designed to achieve the following five objectives outlined in the 2008 National Defense
Authorization Act:
(1) To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as
prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of
the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
(2) To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the
contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental
organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces.
(3) To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United
States during the Vietnam War.
(4) To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military
research conducted during the Vietnam War.
(5) To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States
during the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam War Commemoration wants this program to be as hometown-centric as possible. We
want to thank and honor the Vietnam Veterans and their families where they live.

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER RESPONSIBILITIES
During the period 2015-2017, Commemorative Partners will plan and conduct at least two
appropriate events and activities each year that will ―thank and honor‖ our Vietnam Veterans and
their families in a memorable, dignified and special manner. Events and activities should be
designed to demonstrate a sensitivity and appreciation for the solemnity of the Vietnam War and the
losses suffered by Vietnam service members.
Events or activities should meet one or more of the Congressionally-mandated objectives of the
program, and as a minimum, with an emphasis on objective one.
If partners are not able to conduct an event in a dignified, honorable and memorable way and in a
manner consistent with the Congressionally-mandated objectives, they will not be allowed to
continue their participation in the Commemorative Partner Program, nor will they be allowed to
represent to any member of the public that they are in any way affiliated with the Commemorative
Partner Program or the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.
The purpose of completing an after-action report following each activity/event is so that we may
highlight your organization’s efforts, share with other partners great ideas, and account for the
number of veterans and their families being recognized across the country.
Partners are encouraged to conduct additional events/activities before and after 2015-2017.

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER BENEFITS
Upon approval as a Commemorative Partner, organizations will be sent a starter kit of
commemorative materials (see items a-f below) to develop and implement their programs.
The following benefits and entitlements are authorized for Commemorative Partners:
a. Certificate of Commemorative Partner designation signed by the Secretary of Defense and
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
b. A commemorative flag for appropriate events
c. Use of the Commemoration’s Seal, without modification, and for approved purposes
d. A poster prescribing the objectives of the Commemoration
e. A copy of the Presidential Proclamation recognizing Vietnam Veterans and launching The
United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
f. Commemorative Partner Reference Guide
Other benefits include:
a. Use of the Commemoration events calendar at the www.VietnamWar50th.com website to
upload events and post-event material (under development). The calendar will allow any
Vietnam Veteran to see what is going on locally and nationally to recognize their service.
b. Access to event promotional materials (Public Affairs publications such as pamphlets,
newsletters, fact sheets)
c. Access to the Commemorative Poster collection through the Education Program (up to 10
posters) (under development)
d. Access to exhibits on an ―on-loan‖ basis (under development)

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

SUGGESTED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
These projects and activities are intended for military units or installations and civilian organizations
and communities. Active duty installations should endeavor to involve the civilian public, retired
military, (including those in veterans’ and nursing homes or hospitals), and with an emphasis of
involvement by our Nation’s youth at every possible opportunity.
A. Military Installation Activities
Perform a tattoo or formal retreat to dedicate or mark a significant event or holiday.
Publish service, unit, ship, or activity history brochures.
Include Vietnam War Commemoration activities in your unit's official briefing and
Commander's Calls.
Include significant dates in history in base newspapers and on official social media sites.
Obtain and display Vietnam Campaign Streamers for unit guidon staffs in accordance with
Service regulations.
Dedicate National Guard and Reserve annual training periods honoring a specific Vietnam
Veteran or Vietnam War campaign.
Dedicate or rededicate a street, area or honor a Vietnam Veteran or Vietnam War campaign.
Highlight the contributions of the USO by having installation morale, welfare, and recreation
agencies present performing and fine arts programs, such as art exhibits, and 60's -70's
musicals, concerts, variety shows, and plays.
Have installation club/recreation programmers plan social recreation activities around
1960's-1970's themes to serve as educational and cultural enlightenment, especially for teens
and young adults.
Include the Vietnam Commemoration logo on agency/command letterhead, programs and
other appropriate publications.
Include a Vietnam veteran message with your official mail and on military and civilian pay
statements.
Produce videotaped messages from local commander to veterans, social, civic, and school
groups, to be used when the commander cannot personally attend the gatherings.
Dedicate military installation open house each year for the period 2015-2017 to recognizing,
thanking and honoring Vietnam Veterans and their families.
For military units that are still active and participated in the Vietnam War, organize one
reunion during the period 2015-2017 to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their
families.
For annual POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies, invite former Vietnam POWs and
family members still awaiting fullest possible accounting of their loved ones from
surrounding communities.

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

B. Ceremonies and Civilian Community Events
Participate in state/local Vietnam Commemoratives.
Have a Mayor/City Council provide a proclamation on significant dates such as Memorial
Day, Fourth of July, Veterans Day, etc.
Participate in local parades with color guard or marching unit in Vietnam-era uniforms.
Coordinate with U.S. Postal Service for a ceremony on first-day issues of Vietnam
commemorative stamps.
Identify distinguished local individuals who served during Vietnam and include them in your
commemoration activities.
Invite local officials and veterans to speak about their Vietnam War experience at town
meetings or organizational functions including professional development or leadership
sessions.
Develop Vietnam themes for events such as graduation ceremonies, festivals, balls, races,
runs, and organization days.
Rededicate the names of streets, buildings, or trees to commemorate local veterans, Medal of
Honor recipients, well-known veterans or campaigns.
Organize volunteer groups, military and civilian, to visit veteran's individual or group homes,
care facilities and hospitals.
Conduct wreath-laying ceremonies to honor Vietnam Veterans at national, state and local
cemeteries and at Vietnam Veteran War Memorials/Monuments.
Organize volunteer groups to assist local veterans’ groups in restoring Vietnam monuments
and memorials.
Host a luncheon for retirees and veterans and encourage guests' participation in other
activities. If feasible, hold it at a veteran's home, care facility or hospital.
Encourage local veterans’ organizations to be involved in a hometown homecoming picnic
or other events honoring those who served in Vietnam.
Plant trees as living tributes to the men and women who served in Vietnam. Include a
marker or plaque identifying the tree(s) as a tribute to these veterans. This type of event also
affords the opportunity to include state/local/city park/officials, National Park Service, or
scout troops in community-wide tributes.
Develop a bumper sticker with a Vietnam message "Fort/Base/Ship/State/Community (such as
San Antonio, Texas or Norfolk Naval Station) is proud to be a Vietnam Commemorative Partner."
Participate in a Vietnam community run, walk, bicycle or motorcycle rally event.
Hold a Vietnam hanger dance with 1960's-1970's style music and dress.
Conduct a U.S. Flag and/or POW/MIA or Vietnam War Commemoration commemorative
flag exchange between older veterans to active duty service members to show a connection
between the generations of veterans.

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C. Exhibits
Display Vietnam veteran exhibits at malls and county fairs.
Conduct open houses with Vietnam veteran exhibits.
Collect and display Vietnam photos, memorabilia, letters, and diaries of Vietnam veterans,
equipment, and other items of historical significance, prominently in libraries, schools, and
unit area where all unit members and visitors may view. For added significance, make the
reproduction a permanent display and invite unit members to visit and sign at a small
ceremony. Photograph/videotape the event.
Encourage library displays of books with Vietnam themes.
Use posters and facsimile reproduction of photographs, documents, or quotes to create a
Vietnam corridor in a facility.
Encourage model airplane builders to display Vietnam-era aircraft and ships.
D. Educational Activities
Develop "Adopt-A-School" programs or "Programs of Excellence" with local schools that
highlight Vietnam as a special study program throughout the Commemorative period.
Co-sponsor with military service organizations, reserve officers associations, or patriotic
organizations, trips to Vietnam training sites, museums, and monuments, to learn about the
sacrifices and accomplishments of veterans.
Encourage school groups to visit military installations; discuss significance of Vietnam and
how it relates to our military history and our country today.
Invite members from a local military installation to visit schools to discuss the importance of
the Vietnam War.
Ask other Commemorative Partners to visit local schools and colleges to get them involved
in the Commemoration.
Encourage schools, particularly those with 7th through 12th grades, and local colleges and
universities to become a Commemorative Partner especially those schools with Junior and
Senior ROTC programs.
Encourage youth organizations to conduct and participate in Vietnam commemoration
programs.
Encourage students/youth to participate in Vietnam map, essay, poster, and speech contests.
E. Cultural and Performing Arts
Military bands be prepared to conduct ―Bob Hope‖-type shows from the Vietnam period in
communities all across America.
Dedicate military and civilian concerts and productions to the Vietnam veterans, their
families, and home front supporters. Ask those Vietnam Veterans in the audience to stand
for appropriate recognition.

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

Encourage high school bands and chorale groups to provide a Vietnam-era music concert
primarily in honor of Vietnam Veterans.
Encourage local theater groups to perform Vietnam-era musicals or plays and dedicate
productions to Vietnam Veterans and their families.
F. Organization Communications and Products
Designate a representative to actively represent your organization on local community or
state Commemorative committees for events honoring Vietnam Veterans and their families.
Enhance organizational Vietnam War commemorative events with the addition of a local
Vietnam Veteran or national speaker at schools, social, veteran and civic groups.
Produce videotaped messages to Vietnam Veterans and their families from local military
installation commanders and community leaders.
Print or silk-screen a Vietnam War battle streamer bookmark for use in schools and libraries.
Develop Public Service Announcements for events to be used on local radio and TV
stations.
G. Memorial Services
Conduct wreath-laying ceremonies to honor Vietnam Veterans at national, state and local
cemeteries and at Vietnam or Veteran War Memorials/Monuments, particularly during
Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
For Memorial Day or Veterans Day, locate Vietnam Veterans, their families or descendants,
and include these people in your commemorations. Determine if descendants and currently
serving (National Guard, or Reserve units, in particular, often have grandchildren serving in
their Father, Mother, or Grandfather/Grandmother's unit).
Suggestions for potential events and activities are also located on the Commemoration website at
www.VietnamWar50th.com.

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

REQUEST FOR MATERIALS
Event support and promotional/educational materials must be requested a minimum of 60-90 days
prior to event to ensure timely approval and delivery.
Materials will be sent out to Commemorative Partners 15-30 days prior to event taking place on an
―as available‖ basis. In addition, many materials can be downloaded through the Commemoration
website at www.VietnamWar50th.com.
The Commemoration program will provide additional resources and information, as available,
throughout the commemorative period, to partners to help ensure scheduled events are successful
and meaningful.
We encourage the use of local resources as much as possible to include Veteran Service
Organizations and nearby active military, Reserve or Guard installations.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
Commemorative Partners will have the opportunity to order materials to enhance their event such as
pamphlets and newsletters from the Commemoration. Limited materials can be ordered and
downloaded now through the website at www.VietnamWar50th.com.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
The History and Education Branch is in the process of developing a historically accurate education
program to provide public and private schools in the grades 7 –12, colleges and universities, and the
American public with a clearer understanding and appreciation of the Vietnam War. To that end,
we will provide a variety of education material on our websites for teachers, students and the general
public to include a series of educational posters and facts sheets, recorded interviews of Vietnam
Veterans, family members and civilian workers who served in Vietnam, and suggested lesson plans
and student activities for use in the classroom. Commemorative partners will be able to order up to
ten education posters for use in public events by going to the website and choosing from a variety of
themes and periods of the Vietnam War.

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CEREMONIES
There are many ways to recognize all veterans and their families as has been outlined in the chapter
of suggested events and activities. Many of these recognition events and activities can be done with
little or no cost to the organization. This section provides the Partner with a basic outline of how to
conduct a simple ceremony to appropriately thank and honor the Vietnam Veterans and their
families, especially Gold Star families. Please remember to include all generations of veterans at
your commemorative event including those who have returned from the battlefields of Iraq and
Afghanistan. The organization can enhance the ceremony through the addition of music, local Color
Guards, nearby military organizations, presentations of certificates, speakers, reception, etc.
depending upon availability of time, personnel and cost factors.
A basic ceremony should include the following elements:
1. Opening tribute to the United States flag (National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance).
2. A prayer or reading to acknowledge/remember those Vietnam Veterans who made the
ultimate sacrifice and their families.
3. Greeting of the veterans and their families as the VIPs.
4. Remarks that include the recognition, thanking and honoring of the service and sacrifice of
the veterans and the families.
5. Closing tribute such as an appropriate reading, slideshow, or song (e.g. God Bless America,
playing of the Service songs of the Veterans). If the ceremony is outside, all veterans may
offer a salute during the playing of the National Anthem.

Things to consider:
Planning and Organization:
Successful events are the result of good planning and organization. Planning should begin well in
advance of the event for organizational meetings. You may want to establish committees that will
handle various aspects of the event such as logistics, volunteers, veteran and community outreach,
ceremony sequence of events, and media and promotion outreach.
Locations:
The ceremony should be conducted in a memorable, dignified and honorable way for the veterans
and family members. The setting should be comfortable for the attendees and accommodate those
with special needs such as wheel chairs, crutches, canes, etc. Locations that are in compliance with
the American Disability Act offer the best opportunity for veterans and family members to
participate. In other words, is an elevated stage appropriate for veterans and family members who
can’t negotiate stairs easily? If the event is scheduled to be outside, is there a back-up location in the
event of inclement weather? Consider the impact of weather conditions such as heat and cold for

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

older veterans. Are there cold and hot beverages available? Is there enough seating and convenient
parking for the veterans and their families?
Outreach and Attendees:
Events should include the maximum number of veterans from all wars and their families not just
Vietnam Veterans. Also, in keeping with the Congressional objectives, events should recognize not
only Army, Marine, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard veterans, but also Merchant Marines and
Department of Defense, State Department and other government civilians. Include youth groups
from churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, high school or college ROTC or scouting
organizations to help as escorts. Military personnel from nearby active, Reserve or Guard units can
also add meaning to a veteran recognition ceremony. If available, community leaders could be
included in the ceremony to offer remarks. Also include as many local Veteran Service
Organizations, civic groups and local Veteran Affairs facilities and personnel to maximize veteran
attendance. We also encourage outreach to educators in the community. They may want to have
students attend such events to learn about the history of the veterans’ experiences from their
hometown.
Media Involvement/Promoting the Event:
Encourage local print, radio and television media to attend and cover the event. Also consider
contacting advertising the event through brochures, ads, posters and flyers or on billboards, banners
and signs. Include the opportunity for oral histories to be done with the veterans.
The Library of Congress runs the Veteran History Program which collects oral histories of all
veterans. We encourage you to visit www.LOC.gov/vet to discover more about the program. It’s
an opportunity for high school and college students, scouts, Veteran Service Organizations, the
Department of Veteran Affairs and civilian care facilities in addition to the media to capture the
story of each of our veterans.
Forms of Recognition:
It is the goal of the Commemoration and its partners to thank and honor each Vietnam Veteran and
their family. There are different ways to recognize people. A public offering of thanks during a local
sports event, a locally developed certificate, a presentation of a flag flown over the city municipal
building or state capitol, etc. The important thing to remember is that each veteran, and when
possible, his or her family is thanked and honored on behalf of a grateful nation as much as possible
even if the veteran is bedridden in a care facility. The following words are a sample of what can be
said when recognizing a veteran with a tangible recognition such as a badge or certificate:
―On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is a privilege to present to you a tangible sign of our Nation’s
thanks and to honor for your service, valor and sacrifice when our country needed you.
Or

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COMMEMORATIVE PARTNER REFERENCE GUIDE

―On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is a privilege to present you with this symbol of thanks and to
honor for your service, valor and sacrifice when our country needed you.‖
Or
―On behalf of a grateful nation, we present you with a token of its appreciation for your honorable
and faithful service.‖
When presenting an item to the veteran, the presenter should face the veteran and present the item,
shake their hand, and if military, offer a salute to the veteran as a form of recognition.
It is important to remember that the presentation of an item to the veteran is not contingent upon
membership to an organization. The purpose of the item is to recognize, thank and honor each and
every veteran and the family members for their service and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful Nation
regardless of membership.
If no tangible recognition will be made, then the following may be said individually or as a group:
―On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is a privilege to thank and honor you for your service, valor and
sacrifice when our country needed you most.‖
Ceremonies that involve Gold Star families (those who lost loved ones during the Vietnam War) and
for families still waiting for the fullest possible accounting of their loved one are very special. The
following wording (or similar) could be used when recognizing these families:
―A grateful nation thanks and honors you and your family for your service and sacrifice. Your
(husband, wife, son, daughter, sister, brother) answered our nation’s call and proudly served in the
footsteps of previous generations of American servicemen and women. It is a privilege to present
you with (description of item to be presented) in recognition of the patriotism, service and sacrifice
of your loved one and family.‖
Volunteers:
Depending on the event, your organization may require volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks.
From set-up to breakdown of the venue site, escorting, information, medical assistance or security,
volunteers can be invaluable in making the event extra special and run smoothly. Set aside time for a
rehearsal or training period for your volunteers so they know what to expect.
After the event:
These events often offer the opportunity for communities to come together and heal, as well as to
remember and thank our veterans and their families. Please be sure to appropriately recognize and
thank all those who supported and helped with the event. A simple note of thanks or a
letter/certificate of appreciation from the organizer or other organization/community leader is very
meaningful.

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Generic Ceremonial Program or Sequence of Events

Reception and Dinner Honoring Vietnam Veterans
(Date)
6:00 pm

No-host reception (cocktails optional)

6:40

Dinner chimes - request all proceed to Dining Room

6:50

Vocalists and/or musicians enter or taped music ready to go
Emcee requests audience to stand for the posting of The Colors and National
Anthem
Color Guard posts The Colors
National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance
Retire the Colors (if Colors are not to remain in room)
Audience is seated

7:00

Welcoming Remarks (Emcee)
Invocation or any Special Prayer of Blessing to open the evening
Emcee asks audience to stand; "charge your glasses"
Toasts – To: (Optional)

7:15

President of the United States/Commander in Chief
U.S. Armed Forces
Specific Military Service (if applicable, i.e. U.S. Air Force)
Unit Specific (optional)
Our absent and missing comrades (POW/MIA Service Table)—toast with
water
Our Spouses (spouses then seated by prompt from Emcee)
After spouses are seated ---- Emcee toasts the spouses
Musical interlude or slideshow
Patriotic songs
"Vietnam-era" music
God Bless America
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God Bless the USA
Service Medley individuals stand with their Service song
Special Unit Song (i.e., Ballad of the Green Berets)
Vocalists and/or Musicians Depart
7:30

Dinner Served