This Fathers Day weekend, Owasso resident Julie Harris had the honor and privilege of attending the “In Memory” Ceremony in Washington D.C., dedicated to Vietnam Veterans that died as a result of illnesses associated with their service during the war.
Mrs. Harris would like to thank the Vietnam Memorial Fund for the opportunity to honor her husband, Joseph Harry Harris Sr. of Owasso, at the “In Memory Ceremony,” for his service and sacrifice to our country.
It is well documented that returning Vietnam War Veterans were not treated with the dignity, respect, compassion and the honor they so deserved.
The Vietnam Veterans Fund (VVMF) “In Memory” program helps the families of these deceased veterans heal many of the wounds encountered during those unappreciative years.
It is a heartfelt ceremony, as the Veteran is honored by their families and friends. Family members where given the opportunity to honor and recognize their veteran, by reading his or her name, relationship to family and branch of service. For those families unable to attend, veterans were honored by volunteers reading the veterans name.
Each family received a certificate identifying their inductee and a yearbook listing all inductees for the 2017 ceremony. On Sunday, June 18, families were presented a rose to place on a designated plaque honoring the inductee.
The “In Memory” ceremony was held on the National Mall. Family members and friends of current honorees, as well as past honorees, are invited to say their loved ones name in a touching ceremony on the East Knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Julie would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of the special people and family that made this special trip possible. It will be a trip that will always be remembered and cherished.
A very special thank you to Dr. Russell Cox for his generosity and to the faculty at Hayward Smith Elementary school for their surprise gift of expense money.
For those families having veterans that have died as a result of their service to our Nation and would like to see them recognized as Joe was, you are encouraged to contact VVMF at 202-393-0090 or visit their web site www.vvmf.org/inmemory .
