WILMINGTON — New Castle County, Chapter 83, Vietnam Veterans of America, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its founding at 10:15 a.m. Nov. 4 at 18th and Bayard Blvd, Wilmington.

The guest speaker will be the former State of Kentucky Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry.

The event will include a reading of Delaware’s 166 fallen Heroes of the Vietnam War. The public is invited and encouraged to attend to pay respects not only to Vietnam-era veterans but to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve. 

The celebration will be in conjunction with the dedication of the Charles Parks Vietnam Veterans memorial. 

Chapter 83 was the first one formed in Delaware and was instrumental in getting chapters 850 and 1105 in Kent and Sussex counties chartered. 

Since its inception, Chapter 83 has been a driving force in the community with many projects, including its outreach to schools across the state and teaching at the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point, according to Terry Baker, chapter president.

“The chapter also awards five scholarships annually, but Chapter 83's most revered activity is its Gold Star Families Program, run by Mrs. Judy Campbell,” said Mr. Baker.

Its leaders have provided claims assistance statewide that helped bring more than $500 million dollars in federal benefits to Delaware’s veterans and millions more in research of diseases and lifelong effects of exposure to chemicals and other pollutants.

With its founding in 1978, the Vietnam Veterans of America challenged the government and the suppliers of the defoliant known as Agent Orange, and other chemicals in water, exposure to oil fires in Iraq, and smoke from burn pits used in forward positions that have resulted in multiple disabilities and early death.

“We’ve testified before the U.S. Congress about our obligation to all who serve our great nation, regardless of conflict, branch of service, or age, from 18 to 100 years-old. The physical and psychological effects of combat and exposure to harsh conditions is a common denominator for all who defend our nation and its values,” said Mr. Baker.