Fort Hood holding Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony
FORT HOOD, Texas – In conjunction with Phantom Warrior Week, III Corps is holding a Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony May 21.
Lieutenant Gen. Don Campbell Jr., the III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general, said this ceremony at the Great Place is about the Army embracing Vietnam veterans and caring for them because they never received the welcome home they deserved.
During the ceremony, Vietnam veterans from around the nation will receive the same fanfare present day Soldiers receive when they return from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The veterans will parade onto Sadowski field in front of hundreds, perhaps thousands of supporters who appreciate the sacrifices they made 50 years ago. Vietnam veterans who are interested in participating in the welcome home ceremony need to register online here.
While Vietnam veterans will be notably recognized on the parade field, all veterans are invited to attend the week’s events and should also register online.
In addition to the welcome home, Fort Hood Soldiers who are home from the battlefields, are coming together to rebuild their camaraderie.
After the welcome home ceremony May 21, veterans are invited to visit the traveling Vietnam Wall and static military vechicle displays at Memorial Park near III Corps Headquarters. Soldiers will be on-hand to show off their unit pride and to share battle histories.
May 22, veterans are invited to a prayer breakfast and golf scramble. (Registration for these events is full)
Fort Hood Soldiers will hit the playing fields and gyms May 23 to compete in multiple sporting events to earn the Commander’s Cup. Spectators are welcome, and veterans are encouraged to cheer on their former units.
Then, May 24, Vietnam veterans are invited again to participate in the pass in review with Fort Hood units prior to the presentation of the coveted Phantom Warrior Week Commander’s Cup.
Welcome Home Ceremony Details
The Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. We will start assembling ceremony participants at 9 a.m. Because of possible traffic delays, we recommend that you arrive around 8 a.m.
At 9:30 a.m., ceremony participants will be loaded onto buses (handicap buses will be available). The buses will drive you from the parking lot to the parade field. Veterans will off-load and stand to the side of the buses hidden from the crowd. After the crowd chants “move that bus,” the buses will pull forward, revealing your formation. Veterans will then walk forward to seats on the parade field for the official ceremony.
Following the ceremony, veterans are invited back to the parking lot. Booths will be set up offering information about the rest of the Phantom Warrior Week events. Visitors are welcome to attend the myriad of sporting events around post or they can stroll through Memorial Park, near the parking lot, to view the static military vehicle displays and the traveling Vietnam Wall.
Around noon, bands will begin to play and a complimentary barbecue lunch will be served from 1-4 p.m.
There is no set dress code for the day. You are welcome to wear your uniform or casual attire. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s.
Pass in Review Details
The Pass in Review Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. We will start assembling ceremony participants at 9:30 a.m. Because of possible traffic delays, we recommend that you arrive around 8:30 a.m. Participants will move into formation at 9:45 a.m.