The National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony was held at the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery, bringing together local veterans, civic leaders, and residents for a focused hour of remembrance and respect.

The program opened with the Presentation of Colors by the South High School JROTC Color Guard, Spartan Battalion. Their presence set a disciplined and respectful tone for the ceremony. An invocation followed by Ronald Birks, VFW District 6 Chaplain and Post 10859 Senior Vice Commander and Chaplain, along with a moment of reflection honoring recent military casualties.

Tony Lee, a board member of MIAR 501(c)(3) and local radio personality, performed the National Anthem. The ceremony was guided by Master of Ceremonies Jeff Salters, Board President of the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery, who led the program and recognized attending dignitaries.

A central moment of the ceremony was the introduction of guest speaker Donna C. Rowe, a former Captain in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps who served from 1964 to 1969. She was introduced by George Garcia, a U.S. Army combat medic and Vietnam veteran, who also shared his experience as part of the Vietnam Rat Pack. Rowe’s remarks reflected on service, resilience, and the realities faced by those who served during the war.

The ceremony included a roll call honoring Kern County’s 180 fallen Vietnam War veterans, along with recognition of Vietnam Rat Pack members and those involved in peer-to-peer PTSD support and veteran outreach.

The program concluded with Taps and a 21-gun salute performed by the Kern County Associated Veterans Honor Guard. Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to take part in docent-led tours of the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery.

The event served as a reminder that the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans remain an important part of the community’s history and identity.

For more information about joining VFW Post 10859, please contact the post adjutant by email at adj@vfw10859.org or visit our membership page to learn more.