Vietnam veterans will have a chance to shine at an Aug. 18 event.

The Cassopolis Veterans of Foreign Wars and State Senator John Proos are planning a pinning ceremony to give Vietnam Veterans recognition that Proos feels has been denied to them. The event will take place at 3 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Cassopolis VFW, 131 S. Broadway St.

At the event, Proos will be presenting official Vietnam veteran lapel pins  to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975. There will be speakers at prior to the pinning.

“We are recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war,” Proos said. “More specifically, we are taking a moment to remember those that served and individuals who during that time raised their right hand to serve and protect our nation at critical time in its history.”

The pinning ceremony at the Cassopolis  is the second in a series of pinning ceremonies Proos is holding to honor Vietnam veterans. The first was held in Berrien County, and he plans to hold one in St. Joseph County. The ceremonies are open to all Vietnam veterans, regardless of whether they are from the community in which the ceremony is being held.

Proos said the ceremony will serve as a way to welcome Vietnam veterans “officially home” and to thank them, something he feels has not been done enough for Vietnam veterans.

“Unfortunately, [the Vietnam War] was an era in our United States history that we are not very proud of in the way that we treated our veterans and the men and women who served our nation,” Proos said. “All too often, those who went overseas and served in the Vietnam era at home or overseas were not treated well and were not treated with the respect they deserved as individuals who sacrificed for our nation.”

At the previous Berrien County ceremony, Proos said that many of the veterans were touched by the effort that went into the ceremony and the thank-you that they received.

“As our Vietnam veterans continue to grow in age, many of them carry deep wounds from the way that they were treated when they returned. From my experience in the Berrien County ceremony, there were multiple veterans who said to me that they had never once been thanked for their service, which is hard for me to fathom,” Proos said. “It is important to recognize and put closure to the Vietnam in a proper welcoming home and proper thank you.”

Proos is hopeful that the ceremony will help repair some old wounds and show Vietnam veterans that citizens are grateful for their service.

“That’s the purpose behind it,” Proos said. “We want to show our respect to those who have served. It’s simple.”

Proos requests that those wishing to attend the pinning ceremony RSVP to his office via email at SenJProos@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at (517) 373-6960. An RSVP will help to ensure that there are enough pins for the ceremony. However, an RSVP is not required to participate in the event.