The Vietnam Veterans Organization of Carbon County will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War during a 6 p.m. event Aug. 9 at the American Legion Post 314 in Lehighton.

Past VVOCC commander Harry J. Wynn III said the night is an opportunity to "remember the sacrifices" of the men and women who served in the conflict."It was a tumltuous time," Wynn said. "For most of us, we were 18 to 20-some years old at the time and we went off to fight. Some served two years and some almost ten, but we all served and this is a time to look back at our veterans and show our appreciation."Keynote speaker will be M. Jay Barry, VVOCC commander. Others scheduled to make remarks are Henry M. Desrosiers, DVA, Carbon County; Kenneth R. Repsher, VFW Post 256 commander; Robert Rehnert, AMVETS Post 106 commander; Kevin Long, Lehighton UVO commander; and Larry Heffley, American Legion Post 314 commander.Attendees can also expect to see a salute to colors, firing squad and ceremonial bugler.Merlin C. Hollenbach, a medic in the U.S. Army, will become the 14th name added to area residents killed in action in Vietnam. Although, as an Andreas resident, Hollenbach did not live in the county, Wynn said he is buried in St. John's Cemetery in Mahoning Township, making him eligible for a memorial at the Legion in Lehighton. Hollenbach was killed during heavy gunfire on Dec. 22, 1967, in Binh Duong, South Vietnam.The United States entered the war in 1964 after reports the North Vietnamese Navy launched a torpedo boat attack on the USS Maddox in the Gulf of Tonkin.Fifty years since the onset of the war, Wynn said Americans have mostly changed their perception of Vietnam veterans, who returned home after service to a largely unwelcoming nation."I think people see the warriors coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and gain a true appreciation for what servicemen and women do," he added. "No matter the conflict, be it Iraq, Vietnam or World War II, I think people are starting to view all veterans in a similar light."Wynn's philosophy is backed by personal experience. Recently, he said, a stranger came up to him after noting a personal item reflecting his service, and thanked him."I didn't know her and she didn't know me, and that made it special," Wynn said.