Art Katz, who commanded a Coast Guard cutter in Vietnam, speaks at Dunwoody's free Veterans Day ceremony, 10 a.m. Nov. 11 at Brook Run Park, rain or shine.

A Dunwoody resident who commanded a Coast Guard cutter in the Vietnam War will be the featured speaker at the city’s Veterans Day ceremony. Arthur “Art” Katz speaks at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Brook Run Park.

The city announced the program in a news release Tuesday. The ceremony is free, open to the public and goes ahead rain or shine.

Who is speaking

Katz graduated with honors from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1963, the city said. In the Vietnam War he was commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Point Cypress.

The cutter had been built for search and rescue. It was quickly converted into a wartime patrol boat, and Katz led a newly assembled crew through combat operations, according to the release.

The city lists his honors:

  • the Bronze Star with combat designation
  • the Navy Commendation Medal
  • several Republic of Vietnam medals
  • induction into the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Hall of Heroes in 2010

Since then he has served on veterans’ organizations and local nonprofit boards. He has worked on food rescue with Second Helpings Atlanta, on interfaith outreach and as a volunteer for the city, the release said.

“We are honored to continue this meaningful Dunwoody tradition and to recognize veterans like Art Katz, whose service and lifelong commitment to others inspire us all,” Mayor Lynn Deutsch said.

The program

Role Who
Featured speaker Art Katz, Vietnam War veteran, U.S. Coast Guard
Master of ceremonies Police Chief Mike Carlson, Georgia National Guard captain (retired)
Pledge of Allegiance Council member Joe Seconder, U.S. Army major (retired)
Invocation and benediction The Rev. Eric Burton-Krieger, associate pastor, Dunwoody United Methodist Church

Dunwoody Parks and Recreation hosts the ceremony. The Dunwoody/Sandy Springs VFW Post 10822 and the Dunwoody Woman’s Club support it, the city said.

This is the second ceremony at the city’s new Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated on Veterans Day 2025.

What it means for you

  • When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11.
  • Where: Veterans Memorial Plaza, Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road.
  • Cost: free. The city’s release mentions no registration.
  • Weather: the ceremony is held rain or shine, so bring an umbrella if the forecast turns.
  • Questions: Dunwoody Parks and Recreation, parks@dunwoodyga.gov.

City Hall is closed for the holiday, and DeKalb County runs Wednesday and Thursday trash pickup a day late that week. Our Veterans Day in Dunwoody page has the holiday schedule and last year’s memorial dedication, and our things to do guide lists the rest of the week.