Vietnam veterans and Gold Star families will gather March 26 for a special luncheon hosted by VFW Post 670 and the Cumberland County Veterans Council, an event designed to honor service, sacrifice and lasting impact.
The Vietnam Veteran & Gold Star Family Lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at VFW Post 670 at 3928 Doc Bennett Rd. Organizers are inviting all Vietnam-era veterans and families who have lost loved ones in military service to attend the annual gathering, which has become a meaningful tradition in Cumberland County’s military community.
The luncheon coincides with National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, a day set aside to recognize the nearly 2.7 million Americans who served in Vietnam between 1955 and 1975. Many of those service members returned home without the public appreciation extended to veterans of other wars. In recent years, communities across the country have worked to ensure that their service is acknowledged and remembered.
In Fayetteville, home to Fort Bragg and one of the nation’s largest military populations, the recognition carries particular weight. Generations of soldiers and their families live in the region, creating a strong network of veterans' organizations and support groups dedicated to serving those who served.
This year’s luncheon will also feature a representative from the Orange Heart Foundation, who will provide information about resources available to veterans and families affected by Agent Orange exposure. Agent Orange, a tactical herbicide used during the Vietnam War, has been linked to a range of serious health conditions. Decades after the conflict ended, many veterans continue to face medical challenges associated with that exposure.
The Orange Heart Foundation works to raise awareness about the long-term effects of Agent Orange and to connect individuals with educational materials, advocacy efforts and available benefits. Organizers say the presentation will help ensure attendees are informed about support systems and programs designed to assist those navigating health or benefits concerns tied to their service.
For Gold Star families, the luncheon offers a space of remembrance and community. The term “Gold Star” refers to families who have lost a loved one in military service. Events like this provide an opportunity to honor those sacrifices while fostering connection among families who share similar experiences.
Beyond the formal program, the luncheon is intended to create an atmosphere of fellowship. Attendees will share a meal, reconnect with fellow veterans and families, and reflect on the legacy of those who served during one of the most complex chapters in American military history.
VFW Post 670 is asking guests to RSVP by March 13. Reservations can be made in person at the post, by emailing ccvcssecretary@yahoo.com or by texting 910-709-8306. Early responses will help organizers prepare seating and meals.
Community leaders say the annual event serves as both a gesture of gratitude and a reminder that the effects of war extend far beyond the battlefield. While decades have passed since the end of the Vietnam War, the stories, sacrifices and health challenges associated with that era remain present in many families.
As Cumberland County prepares to observe Vietnam War Commemoration Day later this month, the luncheon stands as a local expression of appreciation, ensuring that Vietnam veterans and Gold Star families know their service and sacrifice are neither forgotten nor overlooked.

(Photo: Vietnam Veterans visit the VFW Post 670 during a luncheon. The VFW Post is holding their annual Vietnam Veterans and Gold Star Families Luncheon on March 26. Photo courtesy of Amelia Smith)