Society Honors Vietnam Veterans on March 29th
Volunteers with the Muncy Historical Society honored former soldiers and the families who supported them before and after the war with an open house on Saturday, March 29, 2025. March 29th has been set aside nationally to commemorate the hardships suffered and sacrifices made by nine million Americans during the Vietnam War.
Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, received a government-issued lapel pin. The pin features an eagle as the focal point of the pin, representing courage, honor, and dedicated service to our Nation. The color blue which encircles the eagle matches the canton of the American flag and signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. The laurel wreath symbolizes honor and victory, the stripes behind the eagle represent the American flag, and the six stars represent the United States and the five allies who served, sacrificed, and fought alongside one another: the Commonwealth of Australia, the Kingdom of Thailand, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines. “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” is embossed on the back.
Joe Cardinale, Society vice president, designed a video loop which featured images taken by Bill Poulton, Society president, during his tour of duty in Vietnam. Poulton, who presided over the open house, volunteered stories from his experiences and solicited stories from other veterans in attendance. Uniforms on display represented the US Marines (Barron Zimmer’s), US Navy (John and Janet Doughtery), US Air Force (Bill Poulton), and the US Army (Bill Kennedy, deceased).
The Vintage Gatherers Quilters handed out ‘Nomination Forms” for their Quilts of Valor effort to ‘honor and gift’ quilts to veterans who have been touched by war with comforting and healing ‘Quilts of Valor’.
