FORT IRWIN, Calif.--The public is invited to cheer on Vietnam-era veterans at a 10 a.m. parade on Saturday, March 19, at Fort Irwin and to meet with them at follow-on events at the post's Army Field through the afternoon. Members of the public may visit the event areas on Fort Irwin between 8 am and 4 pm that day by presenting their government or school-issued photo ID cards at the main gate on Fort Irwin Road.
The commemoration is part of the Department of Defense's three-year initiative to thank and honor veterans of that war and their families, including those held as prisoners of war and missing in action.
"For the past seven years, Fort Irwin has been saluting Vietnam veterans with a special luncheon and ceremony," said Col. Scott Taylor, commander of Fort Irwin United States Army Garrison. "But last year was easily the best ever, as about 800 Vietnam War-era veterans and their families came to our event."
"Our military today feels a debt is owed to our Vietnam veterans, who did not receive the same kind of appreciation and adulation when they returned home, what we have received over the past 15 years," Taylor continued. "We believe strongly that our brothers and sisters in arms from past conflicts deserve the same kind of thanks and praise that we have benefited from in recent times. We are committed to doing what we can, to show them how much their sacrifices mean to us."
Last year was the first year Fort Irwin's event was officially supported as a Department of Defense-wide event, so extra effort was made to reach out to Vietnam-era veterans in San Bernadino County, as well as to veterans nationwide. Veterans, their family members, as well as Gold Star families (surviving families of military personnel who died during the war) came from as far away as Pennsylvania to Fort Irwin, home of the National Training Center located about 30 miles northwest off Interstate 15 between Barstow, Calif., and Las Vegas.
Hundreds rode into Fort Irwin on motorcycles, stopping along the way at Painted Rocks, the Fort Irwin landmark, to meet up with other veterans for a group photo, before all headed into Fort Irwin to participate in a parade along a half-mile section of Inner Loop Road, the main road leading to the post's town center. Following the parade, veterans and their guests enjoyed a luncheon program in their honor, visited with active duty Soldiers, and visited displays of Army vehicles past and present.
"This year will be even better," Taylor said. "A half-size replica of the original Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. will be trucked in and set up for public viewing. We will also have displays of Army armored heavy and light vehicles."
Similar to last year, Vietnam-era vets and their guests will be treated to lunch in a large tent on Fort Irwin's Army Field near the end of the parade route, where display and vendor booths will be set up for the day. At 2 p.m., Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, a favorite on the military circuit, will perform contemporary pop and rock music in a separate area on Army Field.
"Many veterans came up to us after the ceremony to thank us for welcoming them back, something they didn't get when they first came back from Vietnam almost 50 years ago," said Renita Wickes, coordinator for the event. "Many will be returning this year, but we're happy that other veterans are registering for the event. It's hard for today's professional Soldiers here to understand how different it was for Vietnam veterans, many who were draftees and saw mortal combat in the short two to three years they served their nation, a nation that was turning against the war when they returned."
"Thousands of Vietnam-era vets live in Southern California today," Wickes said. "We want to reach out to them to visit with us, to share some time with their comrades-in-arms, as well as visit with our Soldiers here today. We have planned for them a red carpet welcome, a luncheon and gifts. They can RSVP by calling (760) 686-8266, or filling out a form on our website, www.irwin.army.mil, or a Facebook page set up for the event -- 'NTC-Fort Irwin 50th Vietnam Commemoration'."
Related Links:
National Training Center Fort Irwin website
Facebook National Training Center Fort Irwin
Facebook National Training Center Fort Irwin Vietnam War commemoration
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