PHOTOS: Peters Presents Commemorative Lapel Pins to Local Vietnam Veterans in Saginaw

SAGINAW, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, presented commemorative lapel pins to local Michigan Vietnam veterans to thank and honor them, along with their families, for their service and sacrifice. The Vietnam Veteran lapel pins are presented to veterans as part of the national effort to honor the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War which runs through Veterans Day 2025. The ceremony was held at American Legion Post 439 in Saginaw and came two days after National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29^th.

“For the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guard, and Marines who left their homes and families to serve in Southeast Asia, this pin represents a promise that their service and sacrifice in the Vietnam War will always be remembered,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “They answered the call of duty with courage and honor, and unfortunately many of these veterans did not receive the welcome home or recognition they deserve. That’s why it was a great honor to present local veterans with a lapel pin to recognize their tremendous patriotism, service, and sacrifice during the Vietnam War.”

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.

To download high-resolution photos from today’s ceremony, click here or on the images below.

Peters is a strong advocate for Michigan’s servicemembers and veterans. In 2021, Peters was inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor for his efforts to support our nation’s veterans and military. In 2017, Peters was recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America for authoring the bipartisan Fairness for Veterans Act, which was signed into law. The legislation requires veteran discharge review boards to give liberal consideration to petitions for honorable discharge status if the servicemember has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or other related conditions connected to their military service. As of the fall of 2020, more than 1,500 veterans have had their discharges upgraded since his legislation was enacted.

Last year, Peters helped enact into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act – which delivered VA health care and benefits to all generations of toxic-exposed veterans – and their survivors – for the first time in our nation’s history. Peters also previously introduced bipartisan legislation to protect veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their service. The Burn Pits Accountability Act would require that servicemembers be assessed for exposure to open toxic burn pits as part of their routine health exams, as this exposure has been known to lead to cancer, cardiovascular toxicity, reproductive issues and neurological damage for numerous Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans.

###