COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - As we begin this Fourth of July weekend, hats off to the Branch County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. For the seventh straight year, the Veterans group is staffing 24-7 between now and Monday the State of Michigan Welcome Center Rest Stop on Northbound I-69 in southern Branch County. 

The effort is in conjunction with Triple-A and the Michigan State Police. It’s called “Operation Care” and veterans will be providing coffee, cookies and good conversation to travelers who visit the rest stop. Safety is also at the center of Operation Care. Triple-A says last year, eight people died in car crashes during the 4^th of July weekend.