Camp Legacy: A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice, JFK Hockey Fields/West Potomac Park
Camp Legacy will expand on the story of our Vietnam veterans and the contributions of individual citizens, our allies, the Services, and nongovernmental organizations during the Vietnam War period. It will feature a Plaza of Appreciation with entertainment, a parade ground, interactive engagements, historical and museum exhibits, two static display areas featuring Vietnam period helicopters and vehicles, a Veterans Services Hub, Continuing Legacy Hub and a place for veterans and their families to gather.
Co-hosts of the Welcome Home Celebration
Day 3
8:30 a.m. JFK Hockey Fields Parade Ground: Warm-up Session
The President's Council for Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition will partner with youth from the Nation's Capital to lead a warmup and stretching session for veterans, their family members and all other attendees.
9 a.m. JFK Hockey Fields Parade Ground: wear blue Circle of Remembrance and Run
wear blue: run to remember will lead the Circle of Remembrance, a place of connection, support, and physical activity for athletes of all abilities. Members of the group will embark on a self-paced run, walk, roll or other physical activity. The one- or two-mile routes around the National Mall will begin through the Tribute wear blue Mile highlighting 200 of the over 58,281 U.S. Armed Forces service members listed on the Vietnam Veterans MemoriaL.
9 a.m. Military Women's Memorial Vaught Center, Arlington National Cemetery*: Wreaths Across America Roundtable
This roundtable discussion is on veteran employment. It is open to the public and will be co-hosted by the President of the Military Women's Memorial, Phyllis Wilson.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. West Potomac Park: The “Welcome Home Veterans” Radio Show
Joe Griffies will host his weekly “Welcome Home Veterans” radio show. The program brings recognition to Vietnam veterans and addresses the challenges of all veterans. The show can be heard on WIBG, 1020 AM and 101.3 FM.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. West Potomac Park: Camp Legacy Cinema Film Screening
Various Vietnam War focused films showing throughout the day.
View the daily film schedule.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. JFK Hockey Fields: Tribute wear blue Mile
The Tribute wear blue Mile, in partnership with Sons and Daughters in Touch, will comprise 200 posters, each with a face and name of a Vietnam War Service Member who remains unaccounted for. This display will border the walkway along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
10 a.m. JFK Hockey Fields Parade Ground: Military Working Dog Demonstration
Military Working Dog Demonstration by the 316 Security Support Group, Military Working Dog Unit, at Joint Base Andrews, hosted by the Vietnam Dog Handler Association.
11 a.m. JFK Hockey Fields Rally Point Panel Discussion: Journalism in the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was the first TV war, and media coverage changed the perception and support back home in the United States. Hosted by Stars and Stripes, Mark Bowden, author of Hue 1968 and Black Hawk Down, will lead the discussion, which includes two Stars and Stripes reporters in Vietnam, of the difficulties of telling the Vietnam War story.
1 p.m. West Potomac Park: “Welcome Home” Concert/Multimedia Celebration
The keystone event is a large-stage program featuring live music and multimedia elements paying tribute to the service, sacrifice, and contributions of Vietnam veterans, their families and the many who supported them. Co-hosts include NFL legend and broadcaster Joe Theismann, Miss America 1985 and former ESPN reporter Sharlene Wells Hawkes. Additional featured talent includes Broadway star Jon Hacker, TV star Lauren B. Martin, The New York Tenors, Country music performer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate Chris Nurthen, The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own," U.S. Air Force Band Max Impact, U.S. Navy Band Cruisers, U.S. Marine Band "President's Own" Free Country, U.S. Army Field Band Six-String Soldiers, and the Joint Armed Forces Chorus.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Smithsonian National Museum of American History: Book Signing*
Meet George Black, author of The Long Reckoning: A Story of War, Peace and Redemption in Viet Nam. The book is a fascinating study of the ongoing repercussions of the American war in Vietnam…. a brilliant look at ‘the long, slow process of healing.” Located at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Price of Freedom Exhibit 3 East.
3 p.m. JFK Hockey Fields Parade Ground Stage: Erica Scanlon Harr
The 2004 Miss New Jersey has pursued a successful stage career in Off-Broadway shows, Disney Cruise Line, and regional theaters.
4 p.m. JFK Hockey Fields Rally Point Panel Discussion: How to Preserve Your Service Artifacts
Hosted by the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, professional museum curators and archivists will offer tips on how to preserve your own historic documents and artifacts, and where to donate those service memorabilia into perpetuity.
4 p.m. West Potomac Park: U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights Jump
The Golden Knights will perform a precision parachute drop in West Potomac Park. A grass viewing area will be open between Camp Legacy West Potomac Park and the concert stage.
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. JFK Hockey Fields Parade Ground: Sunset Performance
The U.S. Marine Corps Drill Team and the U.S. Marine Corps band Free Country perform. Vietnam veterans with Bugles Across America plays TAPS, closing out Camp Legacy Day Three and concluding Welcome Home!
*Events are at an alternate specified location