Welcome Home Veterans Celebration

The state of California has designated March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”. There will be two events celebrating and honoring our local vets next week.

Frank Smart, a local veterans activist, was Friday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.

Vietnam Veterans’ Chapter #391 along with the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce, Black Oak Casino Resort and Umpqua Bank will be celebrating Vietnam Veteran’s Recognition Day with a special benefit event to be held at the Willow Creek Lounge at Black Oak Casino Resort on Friday, March 28, 2014 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

This special night will kick off with the doors opening at 6:30 PM for delicious appetizers, sponsored by Seven Sisters.

The evening will consist of a special video presentation and a special guest speaker, Mike O’Connnor, an ex POW who will talk about his five years of captivity and deliver a positive message of hope followed.

The evening will be capped by a full night of live music.

This benefit’s proceeds provide support for the Vietnam Veterans’ Post # 391 and the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce.

The Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran’s Program was the brainchild of Vietnam Veterans’ Chapter #391. Their program started with the hugely successful Welcome Home parade in 2010 and continued with a concert-dance at the Sonora Opera Hall along with the American Veterans Traveling Tribute at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in 2011.

Tickets information is available by contacting the Chamber offices at 209-532-4212 or by calling Smart at 209-559-1908.

Saturday morning March 29th, the Vets will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Applebees restaurant in Sonora from 7-10am.

The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45am.