The Veterans Affairs branch of the Lamar County NAACP, the City of Barnesville and Gordon State College are joining together to recognize Vietnam-era veterans during a special ceremony.

The event will take place Monday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. in room 123 of the Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Building on the campus of Gordon State College.

All area veterans and the general public are invited to attend.

During the ceremony Vietnam-era vets will be recognized and presented the U.S. Department of Defense Vietnam War 50th Anniversary lapel pin by Mike Roby, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

A Certificate of Honor will be presented by Brian Zeringue, projects officer, Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

"We want to host and honor Lamar County Vietnam- era military personnel," said Eddie Felton, chair of the Lamar County NAACP Veterans Affairs branch.

Felton said 40 veterans or family members representing deceased veterans are expected to attend the ceremony.

"We expect veterans or family members from Lamar, Upson, Spalding counties," Felton said.

The Lamar County High School JROTC will present the colors during the ceremony.

Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War era - June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975 - is eligible to receive the certificate and lapel pin. This includes veterans with service in country and those who served in other capacities.

Each certificate is personalized with the veteran's name, rank, branch of service and dates of service printed over the Seal of the State of Georgia. It also includes the official U.S. Department of Defense's Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo. The certificates are signed by Ga. Gov. Nathan Deal and Roby.

The certificates and lapel pins that will be presented during this event were previously applied for.

"It is never too late to say thank you for serving in the military," said Felton. "We want to make sure these veterans, particularly since this was such an unpopular war, are recognized and honored."

Speakers at the event will include Felton, Roby, Gordon State College President Max Burns and Barnesville Mayor Peter Banks.

Parking for the event is available behind the Gordon State College Welcome Center at the corner of College Drive and Spencer Street.