Eloise Ogden/MDN The tail of the Vietnam-era “Huey” helicopter is shown with the Tri-State Memorial Wall, a rendition of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, in the background at the Dakota Territory Air Museum. A tribute to Vietnam veterans will be held at the air museum on Saturday.

About 2.7 million American men and women including many from North Dakota served in the Vietnam War.

On Saturday, Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot will present a special event, “A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans.” The program will begin at 3 p.m. in the Flying Legends Hangar.

Each Vietnam veteran and a guest will be admitted free to the event. The event is open to everyone. The cost for others attending will be the regular museum admission.

Robin Brekhus, museum events coordinator, and Jenna Grindberg, museum director, said the patriotic program will be held to honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam War.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Major Trygve Hammer will be the guest speaker. He is the commander of the John M. Joyce Detachment #1445 of the Marine Corps League and a member of the Velva American Legion Post #39.

Others taking part in the program include Zachary Holley, Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard, representatives of the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Jon Sturgill and Graham Maline.

Minot DAV, Chapter 4, will be giving Vietnam Veteran Service desk flags and DAV, Chapter 4, Challenge Coins to Vietnam veterans attending the program.

The Tri-State Memorial Wall, a rendition of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., will be in place for visitors to observe. It is a project of the Fargo Air Museum.

A Vietnam-era “Huey” helicopter, purchased by the museum and restored at HeliTex Properties Ltd. In Cleburne, Texas, arrived at the museum in July and will be on display.

The event is sponsored by Michelob Ultra and Bud Light.

All museum facilities will be open to visitors that day.