GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Although it took 42 years for the official recognition of veterans who served during the Vietnam War, residents surrounded the TAPS Monument last Saturday for a heartfelt …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Although it took 42 years for the official recognition of veterans who served during the Vietnam War, residents surrounded the TAPS Monument last Saturday for a heartfelt ceremony to commemorate their sacrifice. The observance included comments from county commissioners Jim Renninger, Mike Cella and Wayne Bolla, the Pledge of Allegiance from county clerk Tara Green, a flyover by the Dream Land Squadron, comments from monument organizer Gary Newman and guest speakers Assistant Mayor Matt Johnson of Green Cove Springs and U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack. Sheriff Michelle Cook and Green Cove Springs Police Chief John Guzman read the names and rang a bell for each county resident who died in Vietnam. David Treffinger, president of the Clay County branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association, joined Tony D’Aleo and Ron Howard, presidents of VVA chapters from St. Johns and Duval counties, respectively, in placing a red, white and blue wreath at the black marble monument, followed by the playing of “Taps.” Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was made official by President Donald Trump – 44 years after the last soldier left after the fall of Saigon in 1975.