Congressman Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) will honor Vietnam veterans with a pinning ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Ocean Shores VFW hall.

Kilmer will present a commemorative pin created by the Department of Defense to attending U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the armed forces at any time between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, regardless of location.

“Fifty years after the Vietnam War, too many of the 7.2 million living Vietnam veterans who served our nation have not been recognized for their service and sacrifices,” Kilmer said. “This simple pinning ceremony is a small way for our community to do something the nation should have done 50 years ago: say thank you.”

The pinning program was established by the Secretary of Defense after that department received a 2007 directive from Congress to establish an official commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Kilmer is one of 10,000 commemorative partners nationwide who have volunteered to host veteran pinning events.

Kilmer’s office received assistance connecting with area veterans and organizing the event from the City of Ocean Shores and members of the city council. Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend and show their support for their friends and neighbors who served in Vietnam.

In addition to the pin authorized for veterans who served, the commemoration authorized lapel pins for former and living American military POWs, the immediate family members of American military personnel listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, the immediate family members for any veteran listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and surviving spouses of Vietnam veterans.

The Ocean Shores VFW hall is located at 953 Trent Court SE. Veterans with questions can contact Rob Richards at Kilmer’s Tacoma office at 253-272-3515 or rob.richards@mail.house.gov.