Day 1 #RideMI Motorcycle Tour: Peters Presents Upper Peninsula Vietnam Veterans with 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pins
MARQUETTE, MI – On Day One of his #RideMI Motorcycle tour, U.S. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, today presented Vietnam veterans from the Upper Peninsula with commemorative lapel pins to honor their service in the Vietnam War. The ceremony, which took place at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette with assistance from Vietnam Veterans of America Post 380, is part of a national effort to honor the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
“Vietnam veterans served their county with integrity and valor and it is an honor to present these brave heroes with a token of recognition for their incredible sacrifices on behalf of our nation,” said Senator Peters. “Michigan is home to more Vietnam veterans than any other era and as we observe the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War it is important we recognize and honor those who answered the call of duty during a tumultuous time in our nation’s history.”
Senator Peters’ office offers the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins to living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975. Michigan veterans interested in receiving their lapel pin should complete the form available here.
Senator Peters, the son of a World War II Army veteran and a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, has been a strong voice in Congress for our nation’s veterans and servicemembers. Last year, President Obama signed into law Peters’ amendment to help veterans erroneously discharged from the military due to behavior linked to mental traumas, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Peters has also cosponsored legislation that would extend VA disability and health care benefits to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving aboard deep-water naval vessels, as well as legislation to study the impact of Agent Orange exposure on the health of children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans.
Tomorrow, Senator Peters will head to Baraga and Ontonagon Counties for the second day of his #RideMI Motorcycle Tour. He will tour CertainTeed, a manufacturer of exterior and interior building products, in L’Anse, and visit Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital to discuss rural health clinics and telehealth services.
