Cottonwood AZ (March 20, 2013) – The City of Cottonwood, the City of Sedona, VFW and Community Counts have partnered together to host the Second Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day which will be held on Saturday, March 30th at the Cottonwood Kid’s Park. This event will start at 1:00 p.m. Festivities will include free food, live entertainment and information on Veteran’s benefits.
Recognizing Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day is a gesture of acceptance, gratitude and honor to the members of our community for their service and the sacrifices they made on our behalf during the Vietnam War – this includes the Veterans and their families. Because a large part of the population had misgivings about the war, many Vietnam Veterans returned home to an unsupportive public. On March 30, Verde Valley communities have the opportunity to celebrate and honor their Vietnam Veterans.
We invite Vietnam Veterans and their families to come forth to receive the welcoming, love and healing that our Sedona and Verde Valley communities can offer. It is hoped that fellow veterans from other wars, organizations both public and private, schools, as well as parents, spouses, children and friends of Vietnam Veterans, take time during this day to come out and join the celebration.
The event will kick off with the Posting of the Colors by Composite Color Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Girl Scout Troop #977. The National Anthem will be sung by local award-winning vocalist Eli Torok-Bachar. Cottonwood Mayor Diane Joens, Sedona Mayor Rob Adams and Camp Verde Mayor Bob Burnside will be speaking at this event in honor and commemoration of our veterans. The Knights of Columbus will be serving food and beverages catered by Walmart, Food City, Nate’s Cowboy Café and the Home Depot. The Neon Raiders and other local bands will supply the live entertainment on a stage donated by the City of Prescott, with sound provided by Verde Live Audio.
Cottonwood Area Transit will provide transportation between Cottonwood Kid’s Park and the Replica of the Vietnam Wall, which will be displayed at Cottonwood Middle School’s football field. We would also like to recognize the generous contributions made by Reddy-Ice – Prescott, Nice Jons, North American Waste Systems and AGM Power Systems.
For more information, please contact Leah at the Cottonwood Parks and Recreation Department at 639-3200.