Free November 8, 2025, Speaker Series Features Vietnam-Era Music as a Salute

November marks the end of the Vietnam Commemorative Commission’s recognition of the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Fort Greene Ville Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has been a proud Vietnam Commemorative partner, actively recognizing Vietnam-era events and service men and women.

Garst Museum is planning its second Speaker Series event of the season on November 8, at 2 p.m. in the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room as a salute to veterans. This program, produced with the assistance of the Fort Greene Ville Chapter of the DAR, will feature the music of the Vietnam era by author and Vietnam veteran David Gerhardt.

Early in his adult life, David volunteered for the Marines and later for duty in Vietnam, where he served as a grenadier, awards writer, and combat squad leader. After his service in the Marines, he became a businessman and entrepreneur, designing products that earned him patents in the U.S. and Canada. He has authored Vietnam, The Last Combat Marines, and the business book, Communication Talks, B/S Walks. Dave and his wife Connie live on a small horse farm in New Albany, Ohio.

David's discussion will center around the music of the Vietnam era. Fort GreeneVille DAR is sponsoring the program. Fort GreeneVille DAR stated, "It is in honor of the end of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration on Veterans Day 2025. Fort GreeneVille DAR chapter has been a United States of America Vietnam Commemorative Partner since 2014, honoring local Vietnam Veterans."

Complementing the free program, the DAR will have its America 250 display at the event. The exhibit highlights the Past, Present, and Future and includes panels that discover Darke County’s frontier history; recognizes patriots that lived in the county; and looks at the people, places, economy, and villages in Darke County. The exhibit will be at the museum throughout November, starting on the 6th, and will be free to view.

Active-duty service men and women, along with veterans and their spouses, will have free admission to tour the museum on November 8. Regular admission fees apply for all others.

Light refreshments will be provided by Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR.

After the guest speaker, DAR would like to acknowledge the conclusion of the Vietnam Commemoration, recognize the local Vietnam Veterans in attendance, and present a Vietnam Commemoration award to the family of Donald Byrum.

Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is a Vietnam Commemorative Partner. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration was authorized by Congress and established under the Secretary of Defense. Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR has been honoring local Vietnam Veterans and families since June 2014. Our nation commemorated Vietnam’s 50th anniversary over a 13-year period. Although the commission’s end is Veterans Day this year, Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR will further our commitment to our Vietnam Veterans and families beyond this year. 

Fort GreeneVille Chapter takes it very seriously in remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Fort GreeneVille DAR has honored 12 families of those from Darke County who lost their lives in Vietnam. The DAR and the state of Ohio have also honored six Vietnam soldiers from Darke County who never came home with highway and bridge dedications, with another one pending in the Ohio legislature.