Orland Named Commemorative Partner for Department of Defense Vietnam Anniversary

The Village of Orland Park has been named a commemorative partner for the Vietnam War Commemoration planned by the United States Department of Defense.

The department is conducting a program to observe the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War during the commemorative period of 2015 to 2017. As a commemorative partner, the Village of Orland Park will plan and carry out at least two events each year during the commemorative period, 2015 to 2017. These events, held across the country, will recognize, thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families.

"Orland Park is very pleased to be a partner in this nationwide program to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans," said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. "We have a number of Vietnam Vets, their families and friends in the Orland Park area and we're looking forward to thanking them for their service and remembering the sacrifices they all made," the mayor said.

The Vietnam War Commemoration objectives include thanking and honoring veterans of the war including those who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action. The objectives also include highlighting the services of the armed forces during the war and pay tribute to contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the war.

"To prepare for Orland Park's participation in the commemoration, we are creating a contact list asking area Vietnam Veterans, families and friends to send in their email addresses so we can let them know about the village's commemoration events," McLaughlin said.

Area Vietnam Veterans, their families and friends are invited to send an email to MayorsVietnamVets@orlandpark.org to be added to the village's list.

"The email address will be used only to notify vets and their families about what Orland Park is doing for the commemoration," the mayor noted, adding, "The village does not share or sell email addresses that people submit to receive community notices."

"Orland Park has a very active Veterans Commission and community of veterans," McLaughlin said. "The village was honored to host the Vietnam Moving Wall in 2006 and be a regional host for the 2012 60th Anniversary of the Korean War," the mayor said.

We look forward to coming together as a community to honor, thank and recognize Vietnam Veterans, their families and friends."