LANSING — Sen. John Proos recently joined Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall in honoring U.S. Army veteran Charles Whorton of Eau Claire for his service in the Vietnam War.

Kowall, R-White Lake, is a commemorative partner with the Pentagon and gave Whorton a Vietnam veteran lapel pin during a ceremony on the floor of the Michigan Senate. Whorton’s wife Earlene and granddaughter Abigail attended the event.

“Our Vietnam veterans deserve our respect and appreciation for answering the nation’s call to service and defending our freedom,” said Proos, R-St. Joseph. “Unfortunately, giving veterans of the Vietnam War their proper honor and respect is long overdue. I was proud to welcome Charles Whorton and his family to the Senate to be recognized and want to express my most sincere appreciation for his service to America.”

Proos welcomed area Vietnam veterans to the Michigan Capitol in October for the “Michigan Says Thanks” event honoring veterans of the Vietnam War era and their families. During that event, volunteers from the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration fastened lapel pins on veterans who served during the Vietnam War era, regardless of location.

The event highlighted the service of the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Vietnam War era families. For more information about the event, visit MichiganSaysThanks.com.

“I hope that we continue to remember the tremendous sacrifices that our veterans and their families have made — and continue to make — for us and liberty in the world,” Proos said.