Washington County Veterans Service Officer Sue Rich, left, presents a Vietnam War 50th Commemoration books to Vietnam veteran and Washington County Supervisor Stan Stoops. Photo by Sally Y. Hart

The 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War is being commemorated this year.

Washington County Veterans Service Officer Sue Rich spoke at Tuesday’s Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting and said that Iowa has about 75,000 Vietnam veterans. Washington County has 508 Vietnam veterans. Rich explained what the Iowa Commission of Veteran Affairs recently did in honor of the anniversary, “They purchased this book, which is the Iowa version of the Vietnam War 50th Commemoration. And each county got half of what their number of Vietnam veterans is, because right now they’re only allowing us to give them to veterans with boots on ground.” She said they’re still fundraising and she hopes to get more, “My problem being is I think that all Vietnam veterans are entitled to this book, not just those with boots on ground.” Veterans can bring their DD214 to the veteran’s affairs office and pick up a copy of the book.

With applause, Rich presented one of the first books to one of the supervisors during the meeting, “I would like to present one of our first books to Stan (Stoops), one of our Vietnam veterans.”

Rich added she also has pins for all veterans and surviving spouses. The Washington County Veterans Affairs Office is located at the Orchard Hill Complex on Lexington Boulevard.