Kentucky Historical Society
KHS to Participate in Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial Event

FRANKFORT, KY (November 6, 2008)— Kentucky veterans will be honored at a special event at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial (KVVM) in Frankfort this Veterans Day, November 11.  The Kentucky Historical Society is participating by displaying various items from its collections that have been left at the memorial by soldiers, family members, and friends of fallen soldiers over the past two decades. 

The one-hour ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and is sponsored by the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial Board, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA), and the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs (KDMA).

A special tribute to veterans, the service will also recognize the twentieth anniversary of KVVM and the tenth anniversary of KDVA.  The schedule for the event includes:
• Prelude—202nd Army Band, Kentucky Army National Guard
• Welcome—LTC (retired) Jim Halvatgis, KVVM board member
• Raising of the colors—VFW 4075 Honor Guard
• National Anthem—Major (retired) Marty Pinkston
• Invocation—Alan Lee, Vietnam veteran, U.S. Army
• Welcome and introductions—J. McFerran Barr, KVVM board chairman
• Address—Brigadier General (retired) Les Beavers
• Introduction—J. McFerran Barr, KVVM board chairman
• Address—Major General Edward W. Tonini, Adjutant General for Kentucky
• Placing of wreathes—KVVM and various veterans organizations
• Artillery salute—138th Fires Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard
• Taps / lowering colors—202nd Army Band, Kentucky Army National Guard / 138th Fires Brigade OIF-OEF veterans
• Flyover / lowering colors—63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard
• Reveille—202nd Army Band, Kentucky Army National Guard / 138th Fires Brigade OIF-OEF veterans
• Benediction—Johnny Jones, Vietnam veteran, USMC
• Closing remarks—Jim Halvatgis
• Postlude—202nd Army Band, Kentucky Army National Guard

In addition to the display at the KVVM, KHS will be offering free admission to the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History and the Old State Capitol for all veterans on November 11.

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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future.  KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.   Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site at www.history.ky.gov.