U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-7th District, has partnered with the governor’s office to honor men and women who served during the Vietnam era from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, the beginning and end of U.S. involvement in the war. The commemoration ceremony is part of an ongoing series of events across the country leading up to the 50th anniversary in 2025 of American withdrawal from the conflict.

Response to Perlmutter’s event, first announced in February, has been so overwhelming that his office expanded the number of ceremonies from one to eight, said Ashley Verville, Perlmutter’s director of communications.

About 600 Vietnam veterans from across the state expressed interest in participating, she said. So seven more commemoration ceremonies have been scheduled through August, to keep the numbers small and the event more intimate.

The first ceremony took place March 24 at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, to coincide with Vietnam Veterans Day, which is celebrated annually on March 29.

The second ceremony (pictured) was April 7, with another one held the morning of April 12 at Red Rocks Community College.

Other dates, with time and locations to be announced, are as follows: June 1, July 6 and 21, and Aug. 3 and 17. All ceremonies will be open to the public. For more information, times and dates of upcoming ceremonies, or to request to take part, go to U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter’s website here.