Two general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will address gatherings this weekend of the Veterans Association for Service Activities Abroad.
Elder Marion D. Hanks, a member of the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy and a World War II veteran who visited Vietnam many times during the Vietnam War, will speak at the opening session of the celebration, 4 p.m. Friday, June 12, at the Taylorsville Gardens 1st Ward, 4252 S. Bennion Road, (1950 West), Taylorsville.Elder Dallin H. Oaks, second counselor in the First Presidency, who formerly supervised church activities in Asia, will speak at a 5 p.m. dinner meeting Saturday, June 13, at the same location.
The first group of LDS missionaries to serve in Vietnam will be at the gathering, held yearly to renew acquaintances between veterans, missionaries and other church members who became acquainted in Vietnam.
At 7 a.m. Sunday, June 14, a veterans' memorial flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Fort Douglas parade grounds. Jay Hess, a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war, will speak.
That evening at 7:30, a veterans' fireside will be held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. An LDS veterans' chorus will sing. All LDS veterans are invited to join the group, which will rehearse at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Taylorsville Gardens 1st Ward and at 4:30 p.m. in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.
A number of other weekend activities are planned, including Saturday sessions at the Jordan River Temple. The cost of Saturday's workshop activities and dinner is $15, said Virgil N. Kovalenko, association president. Call Kovalenko, 278-7674, or Andrew J. Kirby, 224-2136, for reservations or more information.