CUMMING — In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, the University of North Georgia plans to honor Vietnam veterans in and around the Cumming, Dahlonega and Gainesville areas.

According to a news release from UNG, the college serves as one of the commemorative partners of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative movement, a federal initiative to educate residents about the sacrifice and contributions of veterans and their families.

In connection with the national initiative, the Georgia Department of Veteran Services and the governor's office have initiated a Certificate of Honor program. The goal is to present a certificate to each of Georgia's 234,000 Vietnam veterans.

On Nov. 11, UNG will present certificates to all those Vietnam veterans who register to attend a presentation ceremony at noon and a military review on the Dahlonega campus at 4 p.m.

Every Georgia veteran with honorable service during the Vietnam War is eligible to receive this certificate, including those with service in-country and in other capacities. 

Each certificate is personalized with the veteran's name, rank, branch of service and dates of service printed over the Georgia seal. It also includes the official U.S. Department of Defense's Vietnam War Commemorative Partner logo.

The event is free and open to the public and will take place on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field.

All veterans and active-duty service members will also be honored. The guest speaker will be Ray Rottman, executive director of Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States.

On the Gainesville campus, UNG’s Student Veterans of North Georgia will participate in National Roll Call 2015, a nationwide effort to honor American service members past and present, as well as those who have fallen.

At 2 p.m. a national moment of silence will be observed on campus to honor and recognize fallen veterans.