The Vietnam Veterans organization of Cumberland County, Tennessee has announced a huge parade and gala celebration in Crossville March 29 and 30 to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day in Tennessee and other states.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has designated March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day and the Crossville group is planning a "Welcome Home" celebration to honor all Vietnam veterans and their families. Many other states have followed Tennessee's lead to honor these veterans.
The event will begin with a parade in downtown Crossville, followed by a program of speakers and entertainers at the Cumberland County Community Complex. Senator John McCain, a POW in North Vietnam from 1967 to 1973, has been invited as the parade's Grand Marshal. It is not known if the Senator, the apparent nominee of the Republican Party in this year's Presidential election, will attend. Other local, state and national dignitaries have also been invited.
The program's patriotic theme will include many tributes to Vietnam veterans. Everyone is invited to be a part of this celebration and recognition of the thousands of veterans who did not receive the homecoming they deserved when they returned following the Vietnam conflict, which ended March 29, 1973.
The hours of this two day event are 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, and 9 a.m. - p.m. Sunday, March 30.
For more information, contact event coordinator Dann Dunham of Crossville at 788-2919 on log on to the group's Web site at www.ccvietnamvets.com
