Kent County Chapter 850 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will host a ceremony to observe Delaware’s Vietnam Veterans Day at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 30, at the Kent County Memorial Park on South Little Creek Road, Dover.

The brief ceremony will begin with an invocation, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Lori Christiansen, whose late father served in World War II.

Sam Chick, an Iraq veteran who served with the 101st Airborne, will be the guest speaker. His theme will be the common experiences of veterans of all conflicts.

“Our ceremony will be reflective of our VVA national slogan, 'Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,'” said Joe Startt Jr., chapter president.

The ceremony will include the placement of a brick dedicated to Sr. Airman Elizabeth Loncki, age 23, who was killed Jan. 7, 2007 in Iraq by an IED, or improvised explosive device.

A plaque listing the names of the major contributors to the original 2009 Vietnam Memorial will also be unveiled. The location is also the site of a Gold Star Mothers and Families Memorial unveiled in November 2010.

The ceremony will conclude with the reading of the names of the 28 Kent County men lost in Vietnam. "Taps" will be played by Jake Steele, followed by bagpiper Bill Frantz, who will close the ceremony by playing "Amazing Grace."

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the County Council Chambers on the second floor of the County Administration Building at 555 Bay Road.

All veterans and the public are invited. Call 302-697-8384 with questions.