A local group called Remembering Heroes will host a holiday gala next month to honor Vietnam veterans, with eight veterans and their spouses set to receive special recognition and the community invited to help more veterans attend.
The event, “A White Christmas: A Special Tribute to Honor Vietnam Veterans,” will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Coast Community Center. Veterans, families, businesses, and community members from across Northeast and Central Florida are invited to the evening of appreciation, fellowship, and holiday celebration.
The group said the gala is meant to recognize “the courage, service, and sacrifices of those who served during the Vietnam War.” It noted that many Vietnam veterans did not receive the recognition and gratitude they deserved when they came home. “Decades later, Remembering Heroes seeks to ensure that their sacrifices are acknowledged, their stories are remembered, and their service is honored,” the release said.
The evening’s program
At the heart of the evening will be a tribute recognizing eight Vietnam veterans and their spouses for their service and the role their families have played in their lives. The program will include a formal Presentation of Colors, the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, a keynote address, and remarks from Cathy Heighter, founder of Remembering Heroes. A recognition ceremony will honor the eight veterans and their spouses, including the presentation of gifts.
Guests will also enjoy dinner and fellowship, music, dancing, and holiday festivities, including a Chinese auction, a 50/50 raffle, and prize announcements. In keeping with the “White Christmas” theme, attendees are encouraged to wear white attire.
‘Sponsor a Vet’
The group is also inviting people, families, businesses, and organizations to take part in a “Sponsor a Vet” initiative, which helps additional veterans attend the gala as special guests. While eight veterans and their spouses will receive formal recognition, the celebration also welcomes other veterans whose service “deserve[s] appreciation.”
Community members can sponsor a veteran’s attendance by buying a $75 ticket on their behalf. Sponsors can purchase tickets through the official event registration page and enter “Sponsor a Vet” in the memo line. Those who wish to sponsor a specific veteran may also give that veteran’s name to Remembering Heroes for registration. The group also welcomes business sponsorships, in-kind contributions, and donated auction items.
The organizers said the event is more than a holiday gathering, describing it as a chance for the community to share a message that “every veteran deserves to hear”: “We see you. We honor you. And we thank you.”
If you go
General admission is a $75 donation per person. Veterans can attend through a special discounted registration on a veterans-only ticket page. Featured activities include military honors, a keynote address, the veterans’ recognition ceremony, dinner, music, dancing, a Chinese auction, and a raffle.
Tickets are sold through the event’s official registration pages on Zeffy. For media and sponsorship inquiries, the group lists founder Cathy Heighter and the email RememberingHeroes01@gmail.com.
