Posted on 01/13/2005 10:49:06 PM PST by troll444
Vietnam vets to get 'true homecoming' Grand-scale, weeklong event with 100,000 to say thank you
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: January 14, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com On the 30th anniversary of the end of the war, Vietnam veterans will be given the "homecoming celebration they never received" at a conference organizers hope will draw 100,000 people.
Vietnam veterans memorial in Washington, D.C.
"During those three decades, the brave men and women who served in that conflict have never been given the recognition they deserve for their heroic sacrifices in service to our country," the organizers, Operation Homecoming USA, say in a statement.
"Now, the time for that recognition has come."
The board of directors for the first-ever national event, scheduled for June 13-19 in Branson, Mo., include entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Ross Perot, chairman emeritus of UPS Stores Jim Amos and NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Smith.
"By honoring those who answered their country's call during a difficult time in our nation's history, the legacy of duty, honor and country will be passed on to America's sons and daughters who will be called to serve in the future," the organizers say. "It's an idea whose time has come."
The weeklong tribute will be capped off by a festival of national acts, including the Oak Ridge Boys, the Fifth Dimension, the Temptations, the Supremes, the Beach Boys, Creedance Clearwater Revisited, Ann-Margret, Mary Wilson, Tony Orlando, Les Brown's Band of Renown with Les Brown, Jr., and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
It also will feature a flyover of every type of aircraft used in the war.
During the week, smaller-scale reunions of veterans will be organized.
Operation Homecoming USA said it "approached a broad spectrum of national and regional experts to provide oversight of this sensitive project."
The event comes after a presidential election campaign that revisted some of the war's most contentious issues. But the spotlight on John Kerry's 1972 characterization of Vietnam servicemen as war criminals -- regarded as a major reason why they were scorned -- brought out many veterans publicly to help set the record straight and defend their honor.
A promotional video on the organizers' website says, "Over 3 million proud men and women served their country. Unfortunately, in the political debate, the Vietnam veteran was left on the battlefield."
The video says the idea for the conference began as a conversation between two Missouri veterans, Gary Linderer and Steve Presley.
Speaking at a news conference captured on the video, Amos said putting the event together is "a duty born out of love, and it is the right thing to do."
"What has remained for more than 30 years has been a hole in the heart of America," he said. "Now is the time for healing. Now is the time to welcome home the only veterans group that has never been officially welcomed home in American history."
The event, Amos said, will say "thank you to our fallen brothers and sisters on the other side of that wall. And, while its been a long time coming, to those Vietnam veterans on this side of the wall, welcome home."
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Is this true?
If this is true, it will be monumental.
Need more info on this! If it's legit I'm extatic!
Yes this is true, I sent Tonk the link awhile back, here it is:
http://www.operationhomecomingusa.com/index.asp
AWESOME!!!
will John Kerry be hanged in effigy?
I am under the impression that they were pretty anti-war because a few of their songs were.
I think there's a difference between anti war and anti military, strange as that may sound.
Long time over due and very cool. I hooe they see this thru!
Ross Perot, Founder, Electronic Data Systems
Jim Amos, Chairman Emeritus, UPS Stores
Jackie Smith, NFL Hall of Fame football player
Dr. William Droege, President, Esquire Sports Medicine
Dr. Gordon Golsan, VP for Student Development, Pt. Loma Nazarene University
Dan Lennon, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations, Branson Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau
Clyde L. Lorance, President, Saddlebrooke West, Inc.
Gerald Lowther, Senior Partner, Lowther-Johnson, Attorneys at Law
Chris Lucchi, Operating Partner, Morris Group Hotels
Mike Scott, General Manager, television station KYTV
Paul Wannenmacher, President, Wannenmacher Advertising Company, Executive Director for Operation Homecoming USA
Hello, I am a motel owner in Branson, Missouri and a part of Operation Homecoming. Please believe me when I say it is not only very true, but it is an honor to all of us in Branson to be a part of this 'Welcome Home Viet Nam Veterans'if you should have any questions I will do my best to answer them for you.
Hello, I am a motel owner in Branson, Missouri and a part of Operation Homecoming. Please believe me when I say it is not only very true, but it is an honor to all of us in Branson to be a part of this 'Welcome Home Viet Nam Veterans'if you should have any questions I will do my best to answer them for you.
bttt
http://www.operationhomecomingusa.com/index.asp
just bumping for publicity
Looks like a great event. I'm planning to send my father to it.
Sounds like a nice event!
Actually John Fogarty who wrote that song won't be there as hes not part of revisited.
WELCOME HOME VIET NAM VETS event on Veterans Day.
http://www.vietnamwelcomehome.org
From their FAQ:
Q. How will this event be paid for?
A. Operation Welcome Home is being supported through corporate and organizational partnerships and private donations. This is a grassroots effort by concerned citizens, patriotic companies and civic organizations who believe it is finally time to heal the scars of the Vietnam era. Checks should be written to "Aviation Nation / OWH" Aviation Nation, Inc. is a 501 C (3) non-profit private organization that donates support to the Aviation Nation air show at Nellis Air Force Base. Aviation Nation is an official U.S. Air Force air show and one of America's top aviation events. Operation Welcome Home is a key component of the Aviation Nation 2005 air show and all donations will go toward supporting the Operation Welcome Home component of this world-class event. Since the organizing entity is a non-profit organization, donors will receive all the tax benefits of a charitable contribution.
Q. What will the event involve?
A. The Welcome Home celebration will be hosted by Las Vegas and Aviation Nation, but will include activities throughout the nation. Las Vegas will present a huge Veterans Day Welcome Home parade and the objective is for cities and towns nationwide to hold their own parades at the same time - thus creating the largest Welcome Home parade in history...
: )
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