Wyoming Vietnam Veterans “Welcome Home” Reunion Wyoming Coming In June

Wyoming Vietnam Veterans Reunion will take place , June 4-7, in Casper.

"We Were Soldiers Once and Young" co-author and famed war correspondent Joe Galloway will be a keynote speaker.  

Galloway, whose book became a movie starring Mel Gibson, will speak at the

summer event, Saturday, June 6, during an evening barbecue, being held at

the Casper Event Center.

Other events scheduled for the reunion are a welcome home ceremony,

veterans- only luncheon, a family and friend's luncheon for spouses,

partners, and family members on June 5. There will be more events on

Saturday, to include a parade of veterans through downtown Casper, a welcome

home barbecue and Joe Galloway book signing and speaking engagement. The

event will end on Sunday with a memorial service in remembrance of the

Wyoming veterans who died in the war.

This event will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam

War and is part of the national effort to recognize veterans that served

during the conflict.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are more than 16,800

Vietnam era veterans living in Wyoming and the reunion planning group is

planning for a large attendance.

Anyone interested in attending is urged to register on the Veterans

Commission's Vietnam veteran reunion website, http://wvvr.wyo.gov, or call

307-777-8152 for an information packet. This will help the commission ensure

enough food and complimentary souvenirs for attendees.

All meals will be complimentary for attendees and the reunion is free to

attend, but lodging and transportation to Casper is not covered. A list of

hotels for veterans interested in attending can be found on the reunion

website.

Also, the commission and the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum are still

seeking veterans willing to share their story in a state-wide historical

documentation project. Those interested can contact John Goss, director of

museums at 307-472-1857.

For more information about the reunion, visit the official website or the

Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WVVReunion, or call the Wyoming Veterans

Commission or the local reunion coordinator Jim Anderson (307-267-5775),

Gary Cohee (307-237-7864), or Rod Waddell (307-473-8170). Sponsors are also

sought by the WVC and can contact that office for further information.