A ceremony honoring Vietnam Era vets is set for June 10 at the Barry Expo Center on M-37,  midway between Hastings and Middleville. The American Legion Riders from Hastings Post 45 will enter the Expo at about 1 p.m. when the program will begin and continue until 3 p.m.

Each Vietnam Era veteran will be awarded a commemorative pin recognizing their service and asked to videotape an account of their time and place in Vietnam. Much more is going on at the ceremony, said William Roush, Adjutant Chapter 110 MOPH, Military Order of the Purple Heart.

“Besides the pinning on of the 50th Vietnam Era Vets,  I have on hand to give to all of the kids an 8x11 inch U.S. Flag.  Also, we had Save-A-Lot store in Hastings give us 1,200 bottles of water and the Disabled American Veterans Organization gave us snacks to give to everyone,” he said. The Delton High School Band will add music to the event.

The Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center has loaned four displays of the 20 years the United States was in Vietnam, and there will be a picture history of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA, out of Hastings, on display. The "5 hat Missing Man" table will be performed, a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony, and bag pipes will perform  the Posting of Colors. 

“Veterans who did not make it into the country will receive a pin for being in the service at the time of war,” Roush said. “I will have on hand help for any Veteran or/and his family with VA benefits that they may need.”