Vietnam veterans in Bryan and surrounding counties will have an opportunity to take part in an overdue public recognition of their military service at a certificate and lapel pin presentation ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Pembroke First Baptist Church, 169 Church St.

The program is being hosted by the American Legion Post 164. The deadline for veterans to sign up for the ceremony was earlier.

Georgia Commissioner of Veterans Service Mike Roby will present the state’s Vietnam Veteran Certificate of Honor to veterans in recognition of their honorable service during the war. Along with the state certificate each veteran will receive a Defense Department Commemoration Vietnam War Veteran Lapel Pin.

"It is never the wrong time to say thank you to a veteran, and that is especially true for so many Vietnam War veterans who were never properly thanked when they returned home," Roby said. "We hope to eventually present every Georgia veteran with a certificate of honor recognizing their service during the Vietnam War."

Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War (from June 1, 1954 to May 15, 1975,) is eligible to receive this certificate. This includes veterans with service in-country and those who served in other capacities.

Additional information about the certificate program and other veteran benefits is available at www.veterans.ga.gov.