01:00 AM EDT on Monday, June 13, 2005

Nearly 1,000 grown children of armed forces service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War will descend on the nation's capital over Father's Day weekend for four days of activities focused on remembering, honoring, healing and educating.

Sons and Daughters in Touch (SDIT), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping the legacy of their fathers alive, will celebrate its 15th anniversary Thursday through Sunday with a series of events around Washington, D.C., for surviving family members. It will culminate with a special Father's Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial highlighted by laying 1,000 red and yellow roses along the base of The Wall.

SDIT members will come together to share stories and continue the healing process as they strive to preserve their soldier fathers' memories, to educate future generations, especially children, about the war's legacy and to help those who have lost fathers in America's wars since the Vietnam era.

Jacquelyn Walton, a resident of South Kingstown, will attend the reunion. She is the daughter of Army Sgt. 1st Class Lewis C. Walton from Cranston who was classified as missing in action March 10, 1971, four days before his 27th birthday.

The reunion weekend also will feature an awards banquet on Saturday with addresses by Vietnam Veterans of America national President Thomas H. Corey and VietNow President Rich Sanders, along with a 50-minute documentary about SDIT's history.

For more information about SDIT, visit the group's Web site at www.sdit.org or phone (800) 984-9994.

Veterans' groups seek asbestos litigation reform On April 13, 17 national veterans organizations sent a letter asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to take the first step toward reforming the nation's asbestos litigation system by adopting no-fault victims' compensation fund legislation.

Asbestos was used widely by the military services during and after World War II, and many veterans were exposed to this deadly substance. Veterans with asbestos-related illnesses are in a unique situation because they have virtually no avenue for compensation under the current system.

Sick veterans are prevented by law from seeking compensation from the U.S. government through the courts. Most of the companies that supplied the U.S. military with asbestos are no longer in business and seeking relief from the suppliers is also a dead end, the groups said in their letter.

A victims' trust fund is the only solution, the groups said in their letter to the Senate committee.

Saratoga museum sponsors free Imax film The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation Inc. wishes to express its thanks to the volunteers, donors, members and friends who have supported the foundation's efforts over the past seven years with a free private screening at the Feinstein IMAX Theater in Providence Place mall tomorrow.

A private screening of the new IMAX film , Fighter Pilot, will start at 7:30 p.m. and run for about 50 minutes; free popcorn and soda will be available.

Area veterans are invited to attend on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis. To reserve seats, respond by e-mail to savesara [at] aol.com, or phone Bob Albee at (401) 996-0852 or Frank Lennon at (401) 831-8696. Admission will be by reservation list at the door.

The Vet Center has opening for counselor Human resources staffing officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Providence announced last week that a new position at The Vet Center at 2038 Warwick Ave., Warwick, is now open and they are looking for qualified veterans to apply.

The Vet Center offers services specifically designed for military personnel returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Individual, group, marital, family and bereavement counseling services are provided as well as transitional briefings for service men and women who are leaving active duty.

The Rhode Island Vet Center has been selected as one of 50 centers nationwide eligible to recruit and hire a new team member. Only veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with a counseling background should apply. Interested veterans should phone Kathy or Elaine at (401) 457-3072 or Berne Green, team leader, at (401) 739-0167 for additional information.

AMVETS Almeida-Borges Post 37 gathers tonight at the Walley School, High Street, Bristol, at 7 p.m.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 1 Folcarelli Post meets today at Kelley-Gazzerro Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, at 7 p.m. Chapter 10 Romeo Post will install its officers tomorrow at 7 p.m., at Legion Hall, 7 Legion Way, Cranston.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Providence Memorial Post 45, 118 Glenbridge Ave. at Turners Hall, Providence, meets tonight at 7. Washington County Post, 155 High St., Wakefield, will meet tomorrow, at 7:30 p.m. The 86th annual state convention runs from Thursday to Sunday at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick; for more information or reservations, phone headquarters at (401) 751-8200.

American Legion and Auxiliary Post 18 will assemble Tuesday, at 7 p.m., at 3064 E. Main Rd., Portsmouth, and the auxiliary unit will meet June 21 at 7 p.m.

Marine Corps League The South County Detachment will meet Wednesday at the VFW Hall, 155 High St., Wakefield, at 7:30 p.m. All former and present Marines are invited to attend.

Destroyer Escort Sailors Association Members will gather for a luncheon meeting and cruise on Thursday on the Bay Queen, docked at Water Street in Warren, scheduled to leave at 11 a.m. and return by 3 p.m. For more information, call Roland Castonguay at (508) 994-9246.

U.S. Submarine Veterans -- Rhode Island SUBVETS-R.I. will assemble on deck Thursday at American Legion Post 27, Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, at 7 p.m.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 273 members will meet Thursday at the VA Hospital, Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the fifth-floor auditorium.

Navy Seabee Veterans of America Island X-1 Davisville will gather at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at Pelly's Restaurant, Callahan Road, Davisville (Quonset Pont), and all former Seabees are invited to attend.

The Retired Enlisted Association Narragansett Bay Chapter 79 will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday at VFW Post 4487, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown, to discuss plans for the group's 10th anniversary.

WAVES National -- Women of the Sea Services Ocean State Unit 118 members will come to order at 1 p.m. on Saturdayat the VA hospital, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, in Classroom 2 on the fifth floor.

Jewish War Veterans of the USA The Department of Rhode Island, at its recent 60th annual state convention, elected these officers: commander, Sanford Gorodetsky; senior vice commander, Sid Kramer Jr.; vice commander, Martin Weisman; and quartermaster, Murray Cohen. Carol Rodkin was appointed adjutant.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn [at] verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.