Events

The mission of these events is to reach out to Vietnam Veterans and bring them in to discuss Agent Orange and ways the Veterans Services can support these veterans.

Parade and concerts to honor all veterans who fought for our freedoms.

The event is a radio controlled aircraft "fly-in". The FMVG has been invited to participate in the event to honor the Viet Nam Veteran with an educatiuonal and hands on display of equipment and material that all attending will have to pass through as we are to set up directly inside the main entrance to the event. We have also been requested to assist with the opening ceremony and a salute to those who served.

The Wall That Heals will be hosted by the Sheboygan County Veterans Memorial for 4 days of events and activities dedicated to honoring and remembering veterans. http://www.buildthecenter.vvmf.org/page/event/detail/thewallthathealsevent/jt7

We have identified 173 Vietnam veterans living in Farmington who are using the property tax exemption. The number is undoubtedly higher since there is no way we can identify veterans who may be renting in our community. We wish to honor and thank these veterans of the Vietnam War, including POWs or MIAs, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the US and to thank and honor their families by hosting a "Welcome Home Veteran" event in August of this year. Attending will be officials from the town, county and State including a military Honor and Color Guard. Our event, being the first in Western NY, drew Vietnam veterans from other counties mostly through "word of mouth". Months prior to the event were spent promoting it by visiting local business and military organizations. Local newspaper and TV, as well as, posters, were used to educate the public about the national program to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Speakers for the event were either Vietnam veterans and/or had a connection to the Vietnam Era. The Master of Ceremonies was affiliated with TV Channel 8. Many dignitaries attended including a Senator, Congressman, Assemblyman, and all town officials. New York State Patriot Guard Riders, #4 DAV, #468 Marine Corp League and Chapter #20 of Vietnam Veterans attended as well. After the program, we served food and beverages to everyone. The proclamation, button, and stickers were gift bagged and given to each Vietnam veteran. We received many donations from local businesses. Food, music, advertising, relief stations, and a tent were all donated. We plan to repeat this event next year as feedback has been extremely positive.

The Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Trail is located in Price County and has 13 markers to represent the 13 years of service and sacrifice of the brothers and sisters in arms. The markers denote events of the war that were deemed important by Vietnam Veterans. The trail is a commemorative project to remind the public of the sacrifices made by this group of unheralded veterans.

Illinois Dept of Veteran Affairs will have a table with our materials on display at the 10 day fair.

these events will inform fellow Vietnam veterans and civilians that it will be 50 years since the start of Vietnam war and that multi events will be held to commemorate that date.

We just received our packet as a Commemorative Partner, and this event is in the recent past. However, we would like it to be recognized as it will be a repetitive event. Skytrooper (Impressions of a Skytrooper) is a musical performance featuring 12 songs that reflect the familiar experiences of combat soldiers serving in the Vietnam War (the "Rock and Roll" war), but many of the experiences reflected in the music can be attributed to those of any combat war Veteran. All of the songs were written by Bill Ellis, many while he was serving in Vietnam as an infantryman with the 1st Air Cavalry Division during 1968-69. The music is powerful and evocative, ranging from haunting ballads to pulsating rock and roll. Skytrooper uses music and drama to bring about awareness and healing to Veterans and families. The show stage is set to resemble a bunker of the Vietnam era, complete with sandbags, artillery boxes, camo netting and stage props. Bill Ellis introduces the show as helicopters are heard overhead and the first song begins. He then weaves his personal stories throughout the music numbers, accompanied by a five-member band. Special guest performance by Lisa Ellis. Lighting, sound effects, a slide show presentation and theatrical drama enhance the performance, helping to create a realistic scene and the feeling for the audience that they are not just observers, but participants in the performance.

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans

Samuel Johnston Chapter Members are encouraged to knit and crochet warm scarves for the annual "Knit Your Bit" campaign that is sponsored by the National WW 2 Museum in New Orleans. Chapter members donated 24 hand-made scarves which are given to elderly and hospitalized veterans in VA facilities nationwide. Many are veterans of the Vietnam War. This is a year-round project for several of our Chapter members.

Thanked and honored Vietnam veterans in Grafton, VT by presenting them with Certificates and pins.