On Saturday, June 11, at 1 p.m., the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation will host an author lecture by Vietnam Veteran George L. Athas about his book, On the River.

      This program will be held at the Vietnam Era Educational Center in Holmdel, N.J.

      From December 1966 through December 1967, George L. Athas, of Staten Island, served in Vietnam with a U.S. Army special infantry unit, which fought alongside an elite Ranger unit of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam.  Some of the decorations he received for his service include three of the prestigious Cross of Gallantry medals, awarded by the government of the Republic of Vietnam and a Bronze Star medal “for meritorious service in ground operations against hostile forces.”  Athas was noted as being quick to grasp the implications of counterinsurgency and to find ways and means to solve such problems.  Athas' book, On the River, is a narrative of his yearlong tour of duty in Vietnam.  It is a personal testament of courage, love, betrayal and retribution.

      Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to (732) 335-0033.  A donation of $5 per person is suggested.