CUMBERLAND — An evening designed to honor women who are Vietnam veterans, or who served during the Vietnam War era, will be held Dec. 18 at Cumberland Chapter 172 of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Harlan Smith is Women Veterans Committee chairwoman for the chapter, which currently has 15 female members — only five of which she said regularly participate in chapter activities.

“It’s been a pleasure for me,” said Smith, a longtime member. “I’ve loved every minute of the camaraderie.

“We have some ladies who are eligible to join the Vietnam Veterans of America, but do not for some reason,” she said. “They are recognized as Vietnam veterans and have the same opportunities as anyone else.”

Those who served in Vietnam from Feb. 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975, are eligible to join. Vietnam-era veterans who were not actually in-country, but who served from Aug. 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975, are also eligible.

Smith said women need not be members of the chapter to attend the Dec. 18 celebration, so long as they meet the service-era guidelines.

“We will welcome them,” she said. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the chapter’s headquarters, 17 N. Liberty St.

Chapter president Bob Cook said, “A lot of women may think they don’t belong here, but that’s not the case. We would show a special interest in them, and we want them to know that we would make them feel welcome.”

Cook said there appears to be a widespread misperception that only those who actually served in Vietnam can be members, or would be welcome in the chapter.

“Of the 960 members in our chapter, at least two-thirds are era veterans who were never in-country,” Cook said. “You’d think it would be the other way around, but it’s not.”

Chapter minority affairs chairman Bob Peck said the relative lack of women in the organization is not to the chapter’s liking, and the chapter is as proud and supportive of its female members as it is of the men who belong.

“Lady veterans may think they’re more of an auxiliary, but that’s not the case,” Peck said. “They have the same issues that men do, and they are eligible for the same benefits.”

He said there may also be a misconception about what goes on at the chapter.

“We’re not here to fight the war all over again,” he said. “That’s the last thing we want.

“All veterans should be proud, whether they’re male or female. They’ve suffered the same pain and heartaches, and it’s only because of them that this country is still free,” Peck said.

Invitations have been sent to the chapter’s female members. Other women who wish to attend should call Smith at (301) 724-6828 by Dec. 14.

Jim Goldsworthy can be reached at jgoldsworthy@times-news.com.