The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have named the CresCom Bank Center for Military and Veterans Studies at Coastal Carolina University as a regional partner for the United States Vietnam War Commemoration, which is designed to honor American Vietnam veterans and their families during the 50th anniversary of the conflict.

"The Vietnam Commemoration Commission was established to provide a way for our country to thank and honor all Vietnam veterans for their service," said William N. Outlaw, Veterans Health Administration representative to the Vietnam Commemoration Commission. "This expression of appreciation to all Vietnam Veterans by our nation is long overdue, and it is truly great to see this take place in South Carolina through our partnership with the CresCom Bank Center for Military and Veterans Studies at Coastal Carolina University."

Established in 2010, CCU's CresCom Bank Center for Military and Veterans Studies conducts and preserves oral history interviews with veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in partnership with the Veterans History Project at the U.S. Library of Congress, produces a regional television cable interview program with American veterans, and engages in various other projects designed to recognize and preserve the contributions of American veterans.

As an official partner in the United States Vietnam War Commemoration, the Center will conduct oral history interviews with Vietnam veterans in a two-year program. Each interview will be placed in a collection named in the veteran's honor at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

Copies of interviews with veterans who reside in Horry County will also be donated to the Horry County Museum in Conway, S.C., through the center's Lieutenant "Tab" Stogner Horry County Veterans Oral History Project.

"The CresCom Bank Center for Military and Veterans Studies is pleased to partner with the V.A. and the Department of Defense in honoring the veterans of the Vietnam War during its 50th anniversary period," said center director Rod Gragg. "According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are more than 6 million American veterans living today who served their country in uniform during the Vietnam War. They deserve our respect and gratitude, and we're glad that we can help recognize their service and sacrifices."

The United States Vietnam War Commemoration was authorized by Congress and established by the U.S. Secretary of Defense. It recognizes and honors all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, and their families for their sacrifices on behalf of our nation during the Vietnam War. It will continue through Veterans Day of 2025.