Karen Durbin at the Sunday Market
Many organizations made this Veterans Day special, including the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. One way in which the society remembered Viet Nam veterans was to “pin” them, by giving them a lapel pin to commemorate their service.
The pin is America’s way of thanking Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice as they commemorate the 50th anniversary of the conflict. The Congressional Commemoration recognizes all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.
This year the Chickamauga Chapter joined with other area chapters at the Sunday Market to honor all veterans. As part of that celebratory event, Chickamauga alone pinned over 30 Viet Nam vets. Susan Harris, Chickamauga chair of Service to Veterans, estimates that in the last year and a half the chapter has “pinned” over 300 of these veterans.
"Sometimes there are those rare bits of time in life that translate like a scene in a movie script: everything begins and ends properly, neatly bound and wound together and ending as it should," said Ms. Harris. "I was casually invited and encouraged to attend this random monument re-dedication ceremony in Dalton. So I’m out the door before 8:30 a.m., on the way to somewhere in downtown Dalton. At the first exit off 75, we see a veteran license plate on a car, a gentleman in military dress and cap, [so I] rightly guess that he’s headed to the same place and follow him. After parking nearby, we notice [another] veteran passing by and ask about the dedication. Then I notice the Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran cap.
"I had to ask, 'Do you know about the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration? Do you have an Eagle pin?' 'No,' he sadly replied.
"Channeling another life as Cub Scout master and (mostly) prepared, I pull out my handy dandy traveling commemorative bag, and told him about our nation’s commemoration for him. I 'pinned' my tearing up veteran (keep it together, Susan) as I thanked him for his srvice, promising to place a Black Dot on Da Nang, his place on the [chapter] map."
The DAR is a society of women who are direct descendants of Revolutionary War patriots. Its mission is to support Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism. So far in 2017, DAR members have volunteered almost 2 million hours in service to America.
The commemorative pin