DAHLGREN - Marietto Jeffries, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Vietnam Memorial Commemoration coordinator; Nelson Zapata, an NSWCDD engineer and Marine Corps veteran; and Udo Goff, an NSWCDD defense contractor who is a Vietnam veteran and retired Navy commander, stand left to right with Zapata's service dog, Fallon, at the NSWCDD Vietnam Memorial Commemoration display in the Herbert H. Bateman Chemical Biological Defense Center, Aug. 1.
The Vietnam memorabilia exhibit features a wide-variety of Vietnam War artifacts on display in tribute and honor to the command's workforce Vietnam Veterans, surviving family members, and those who contributed to the advancement of technology, science and medicine. The exhibit includes a commemorative flag and various mounted documents.
Commemorative Partners participate by planning and conducting events and activities that will recognize and honor the service, valor, and sacrifice made by Vietnam Veterans and their families. America has a strong tradition of honoring veterans and their families on key dates, such as Memorial Day, National POW/MIA Day, and Veterans Day. Currently, there are more than 5,200 Commemorative Partners throughout America.
By Presidential Proclamation, the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War continues through November 11, 2025. President Obama initiated the observance on May 28, 2012. By this proclamation, the Commander in Chief calls upon every federal, state, and local official to honor our Vietnam Veterans, former POWs, those who are MIA and their families with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
NSWCDD partnered with the office of the Secretary of Defense to honor these patriots in accordance with Public Law 110-181 SEC.598; the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. "As a commemorative partner of the DoD Vietnam War Commemoration, we pay tribute to more than 3 million service men and women," said Durant in a recent message to NSWCDD personnel.
"We must never forget the service, valor, and sacrifice they made on behalf of the United States of America."