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50-year commemoration of the Vietnam War at Nevada Public Library
The Elizabeth Carey Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has set up a special exhibit in the entrance hall of the Nevada Public Library to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and to honor and thank our Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice.
In addition to the Vietnam War Commemorative flag poster, the exhibit includes service patch posters that identify the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coat Guard units that served in Vietnam.
Statistics provided in the exhibit by the Vietnam War Commemoration Program show that the highest U.S. troop strength was more than 540,000 in 1968. As of 2013, the total number of U.S. armed forces killed in Vietnam in the two decades of involvement was 58,253, and their names are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
A metal boots-gun-helmet displays replica dog tags to remember and honor the 10 men from Vernon County who died in the war. In addition to their names and homes of record, dates of death and locations on The Wall are given.
Although 658 prisoners of war returned home alive from Southeast Asia, there are more than 1,600 still unaccounted for, and the Missing In Action flag reminds us of them.
Some of the significant political decisions and military events that incrementally committed the United States to deeper involvement in the Vietnam War are outlined in a series of three timeline posters.
Army gear from basic training, AIT, and a Vietnam tour in the late 1960s is on display.
Everyone is invited to view the exhibit through the end of August during the library's regular hours of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Additional military exhibits can be viewed at the Bushwhacker Museum, 212 W. Walnut St., (the lower level of the library building).
The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 as a women's lineage and service organization to perpetuate the memory and spirit of Revolutionary War patriots who contributed to securing American independence.
A woman is eligible for membership in DAR if she is 18 years or older and can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, 1774-1783. Patriots are not only soldiers, but anyone who contributed to the cause of American freedom.
Literature about DAR is available at the display for women interested in membership, and assistance will be provided with the DAR membership application process.
Men also have a similar organization, which is the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution. Their pledge is: "We, descendants of the heroes of the American Revolution, who, by their sacrifices, established the United States of America, reaffirm our faith in the principles of freedom and American Democracy, and solemnly pledge ourselves to defend them against every foe."
Their purpose is the same as the DAR, and both societies promote patriotism and concern and care for our military.
The National Society DAR is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2015. Since the founding, DAR members have worked tirelessly to promote historic preservation, patriotism and educational ideals in communities across this nation and in overseas chapters.
To help highlight the DAR service organization mission, members are encouraged to perform and record their volunteer service efforts. Through this combined service, DAR members are working toward a goal of 10 million hours of community service over the next three years.
For more information about DAR, see www.dar.org, or call Nancy Thompson at 922-3596. For information about SAR, please see www.sar.org, email Barnett Ellis at baconsille@sbcglobal.net or call Charles Foreman, 465-2389.