The Berrien County Board of Commissioners has honored the county’s Vietnam veterans.

At a meeting this week, Board Chair Mac Elliott read from a resolution saluting those who fought in Vietnam.

“Of Michigan’s sons and daughters who served in the military during the Vietnam War, 2,657 were killed in action, 36 were held as prisoners of war, and a number still remain unaccounted for,” Elliott read.

2,615 veterans from the Vietnam era live in Berrien County.

It was a packed house as the county commission approved the resolution thanking those veterans for their sacrifices. Paul Dailey with the Whirlpool Veterans and Allies group said the organization suggested the presentation to commissioners.

“One of the pillars of our group is to get involved in our community, supporting veterans in our communities, and so this was a way that we thought we could do that,” Dailey said. “It’s really bubbled up from our membership. It’s not anything that came down being mandated to us.”

The Whirlpool group presented lapel pins to several Vietnam veterans who were present. Dailey said the Vietnam era wasn’t a great time in the United States, and everyone owes gratitude to those who served.