Dennis Joyner, left, a past national commander of the Disabled American Veterans, and James Sursely, right, the commander of the National Disabled American Veterans, salute as the unit flags are presented at the Veterans’ Memorial Park of The Villages for the 2005 Vietnam Veterans’ Day Service. George Horsford / Daily Sun file photo

Ceremony to mark anniversary of Vietnam treaty

By TONY HOLT, DAILY SUN

THE VILLAGES - American military involvement in Vietnam came to an end after the Jan. 27, 1973, signing of the Paris Treaty. In remembrance of those who fought and lost their lives during the Vietnam War, a memorial service will be held at Veterans' Memorial Park at 1 p.m. on Friday.

James F. Sursely, a local Vietnam veteran, will be the guest speaker during the service. A Vietnam letter will be read by VMP President Frank Mezzatesta.

The ceremony will include The Villages Sounds of Scotland, the VMP Honor Guard and the Korean War Veterans' Association No. 169 serving as color guard. It will also feature a presentation of the five organizational flags and various unit flags.

In addition, the service will include an invocation from retired Lt. Col. Stanley O'Loughlin, who was a chaplain in Vietnam, and the presentation of a wreath made by Frank Mezzatesta's wife, Joan.

The service will mark the 33rd anniversary of the treaty signing by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and North Vietnamese special advisor Le Duc Tho, which officially ended American involvement in one of the most controversial overseas conflicts in U.S. history.

Nearly 600 prisoners of war returned home after the treaty was signed and Congress cut off funds for the war, effective Aug. 15, 1973.

More than two years later, on April 29, 1975, North Vietnam seized Saigon and all remaining U.S. and South Vietnam personnel in the country were evacuated the following day.

Tony Holt is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9065, or tony.holt@thevillagesmedia.com.