Published: February 20, 2008 08:56 am      

Crossville to honor Vietnam Veterans March 29

The Vietnam Veterans organization of Cumberland County, Tennessee has announced a huge parade and gala celebration in Crossville March 29-30, 2008 to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day in Tennessee and other states.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has signed an honorary proclamation designating 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 parade will kick off at 10 a.m. March 29. The parade route approved by the Crossville City Council will run from the Cumberland County Community Complex over to Main St. then down Main St. to Stanley St. and down Stanley St. to Cumberland County High School. Dann Dunham told the city council that among the things expected to be in the parade are two M1A1 Abrams tanks, a Bradley fighting vehicle, the Tennessee National Guard Band and two Cobra-Blackhawk helicopters will also do a fly over.

Senator John McCain, a POW in North Vietnam from 1967 to 1973, has been invited to attend 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 35 years ago March 29, 1973.

The hours of this two day event are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, and 9 a.m. to 7 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.



Welcome Home Schedule

March 29, 2008

7 a.m. — Assembly

8 a.m. — Post colors

10 a.m. — Parade begins

11 a.m. — Community Band followed by CCHS Choir

Noon — Opening Ceremony

Invocation by Pastor Roger Paavolu

Pledge of Allegiance

Guest Speakers — to be announced

1 p.m. — Homeland

2 p.m. — Ron Dyer – Welcome Home and Thank You

2:15 p.m. — Live from Australia – Francis Edwards with duets by Ron Dyer, Sally Burgess and Teri St. Neal

3:15 p.m. — Sally Burgess

3:45 p.m. — Teri St. Neal

4:15 p.m. — To The Fallen – John Freeman, Zack Johnson, Chad Van Rys

5:45 p.m. — Rebecca Jed

6:15 p.m. — Tony Colton

6:45 p.m. — Homeland

7:15 p.m. — Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club & Legacy – MIA/POW Round Table

Taps by –TBA



March 30, 2008

9 a.m. — Sunday Service – Field Style

10 a.m. — Billy Gardner

10:45 a.m. — Poets – James Price, Judy Gorman King

11:30 a.m. — Heather Wiggins

Noon — Mason Douglas

1 p.m. — Francis Edwards

2 p.m. — Teri St. Neal

2:30 p.m. — Sally Burgess

3 p.m. — To The Fallen – John Freeman, Zack Johnson, Chad Van Rys

4:30 p.m. — County Line

5 - 5:30 p.m. — Jaida

6 p.m. — Homeland

7 p.m. Closing Ceremony