Vietnam nurse to serve as keynote speaker March 29

Kent County Chapter 850, Vietnam Veterans of America, will honor military nurses who served in all conflicts at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 29, in observance of Vietnam Veterans Day at the Kent County Veterans Park on South Little Creek Road, Dover.

"We extend an invitation to all military nurses so they may be recognized at this special ceremony," said Joe Startt Jr., chapter president.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Linda Schwartz, who served in the U.S. Air Force 1967-86, serving on active duty and as a reservist. She retired in 1986 after sustaining injuries in an aircraft accident while serving as a USAF flight nurse and holds the rank of colonel on the governor’s military staff.

Schwartz currently serves as Connecticut's commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs and has been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as assistant secretary for plans and policies, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring Ms. Schwartz’s trip to Delaware. We are certainly honored to host this outstanding veteran’s trip to the First State,” said John Knotts, executive director of the commission.

The Kent County Veterans Memorial Park is behind Airbase Carpet Mart on South Little Creek Road.  In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move inside the Kent County Administration Building, 555 Bay Road.

VVA Chapter 850 built the Kent County Veterans Memorial Park, which includes a Vietnam Memorial, a Gold Star Mothers and Families Memorial, and is the site of planned memorials for Delawareans lost in the Korean War and in Middle East conflicts.

The chapter is restoring a UH-1 Huey medevac helicopter acquired last November that will be put on display above the memorial for dedication on Memorial Day. It can be seen at www.DelawareVVA.com.

For more information email pauldavis5233@comcast.net or call 302-697-8384.