Discusses differences and similarities in Americans’ view of Veterans over the past 50 years

WHO:                   Secretary Jim Nicholson, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, will keynote the History Colorado Military Veterans’ Salute and Appreciate night at the History Colorado Center this Thursday, March 19 from 6-9 pm.  Colorado veterans from all around the state will be attending.

WHAT:                 The Secretary will talk about the differences and similarities between veterans of the Vietnam War and those of the War on Terror.  He will discuss his theory as to why each group has been received differently by the American people.

WHY:                    This event is being held as part of The 1968 Exhibit now showing at the History Colorado Center (HCC) through May 10.   The social forces that swirled through the turbulent 1960s, crested in 1968. It was a turning point for a generation coming of age and a nation at war.  HCC wants to recognize the sacrifice and service of all Colorado veterans and their families, especially Vietnam War veterans.  Secretary Nicholson, himself a decorated Vietnam veteran, wants to help us understand what happened 50 years ago and why it has since changed, or has it?

WHEN:                 Secretary Nicholson’s remarks will be part of a program that begins at 6:45 p.m. on March 19^th.  The program will conclude with two USO Shows by the world renowned USO Show Troupe – one at 7:15 p.m. and the second at 8:15 p.m.  Secretary Nicholson will be available for comment or interviews beginning at 6 p.m. that evening.

HOW:                   To schedule time to speak with Secretary Nicholson or cover the event, please contact:

                                Deborah Radman, 303-866-3670, Deborah.radman@state.co.us

About Secretary Nicholson

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Airborne Ranger, Jim Nicholson volunteered to serve in Vietnam. By 1965, he was senior advisor to a South Vietnamese infantry scout battalion. After rotating out of Vietnam, Nicholson accepted a branch transfer to Military Intelligence.  He resigned from the Regular Army in 1968 and joined the Army Reserve, where he served for 22 years, retiring in 1991 with rank of colonel. Nicholson served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, where he was knighted by Pope John Paul II.  In 2005,  he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  Currently, he is senior counsel  with the law firm of Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck.

About the USO Show Troupe

The highly popular USO Show Troupe is part of an entertainment tradition that goes back more than 70 years to its beginnings in the muddy camp shows of the South Pacific. Today, the pride and passion that fueled that early music lives on through the USO Show Troupe. Performing live annually for more than 600,000 troops and family members worldwide and nationally televised audiences, the USO Show Troupe presents top of the line entertainment with performers possessing extensive Broadway, Off-Broadway, film and TV credits. Performances are produced in collaboration with Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winning writers, arrangers, and choreographers, and costumes are designed and created by Broadway costume designers and internationally recognized fashion designers.

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History Colorado's mission is to inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado. We serve as the state's memory, preserving the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through our museums, educational programs, historic preservation grants, research library, collections, and outreach to Colorado communities. Find History Colorado on all major social media platforms. Visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Deborah Radman
deborah.radman@state.co.us
303-866-3670 (direct)