It was Tom Mueller who came up with the idea of having our gathering timed to coincide with the festivities for OPERATION HOMECOMING-America's Tribute to Vietnam Veterans, which was billed as "The Welcome Home you never received:. How true those words proved to be!
On the first day, Fred Golladay was so anxious, nervous, and apprehensive, that he awoke at 4:30PM, in order to make his way to the hotel lobby for the "Meet and greet". However, the first vets to arrive did not get there until around 7:00. That didn't matter when they started coming through the doors. As Tom Mueller entered the lobby and Fred recognized him, all of those fears and apprehensions vanished! The feelings of camaraderie had not vanished over the years, but only lain dormant. That first "spark" ignited into something that all understood was very special, and would remain that way.
On the first day, Fred Golladay was so anxious, nervous, and apprehensive, that he awoke at 4:30PM, in order to make his way to the hotel lobby for the "Meet and greet". However, the first vets to arrive did not get there until around 7:00. That didn't matter when they started coming through the doors. As Tom Mueller entered the lobby and Fred recognized him, all of those fears and apprehensions vanished! The feelings of camaraderie had not vanished over the years, but only lain dormant. That first "spark" ignited into something that all understood was very special, and would remain that way.
The OPERATION HOMECOMING celebration attracted well over forty thousand Vietnam veterans and their families, and was a wonderful opportunity to share our experience with veterans from all over the country. Each morning was spent in the hotel dining area reminiscing over breakfast about our shared Vietnam experiences and rekindling old friendships.
After a brief meeting in the lobby, we would head, as a group, to a downtown VENDOR's VILLAGE were most of the veterans gathered. The ROAVING WALL was locate there, as well as numerous vendors, selling Vietnam memorabilia, and food items.
Monday thru Thursday was primarily spent taking in the sights and sounds of Branson. The many theatres dedicated their performances to our nations' Vietnam Veterans, and the performers often paid tribute to them. It was an honor to stand up and be recognized by the grateful crowds.
A highlight for many of the vets was the opportunity to take a ride on a vintage Huey helicopters, which some of us may have even ridden in while we were in Vietnam. The sights and sounds as the helicopters ferried us above the Branson countryside, brought us back to the days of our youth, and gave family members a chance to experience what it was like for us in Vietnam. Friday morning featured the WELCOME HOME parade. And six of our veterans participated in it. All we h ad was Tom Mueller's pic-up truck. BUt, a 4th Infantry Division quilt made by Cecil Sander's daughter was draped across the hood and the truck became our float. All of us, who participated, were deeply moved at the warm and sincere welcome we received from the community of Branson. There were abundant hugs and tears. For the first time, we could truthfully say that we had experienced our WELCOME HOME.
On Friday evening, we had our very first "official" gathering in a small conference room at the hotel. All thirteen veterans and their spouses attended. It was wonderful to see the veterans open up with each other. After Fred Golladay made some brief opening remarks and read a poem he had written, each individual veteran was given the opportunity to speak. There were many tears, and laughs, as each veteran expressed his heartfelt feelings.
On Saturday, our final night in Branson, we attended an outdoor concert at SADDLEBROOK, which included numerous performers from the 1960's and early 70's, which included the Beach Boys, The Four Tops, The Doobie Brothers, The Oakridge Boys, and many, many more. FLyovers in vintage airfcraft and combat reenactments from the Vietnam War were memorable features of the event, as well as parachute drops done by the Army's elite GOLDENEAGLES> A joyous time was had by all as we sang and danced t our favorite "oldies" . Toms Mueller's wife jokingly coined the event as "The Geriatric Woodstock"!
On Sunday morning, we met in the dining room of the hotel, to have our final breakfast and to meet in the lobby for our "goodbyes". But we were all very much aware that a very special tradition had begun. W would be doing this again!. It was not a "goodbye" but rather a heartfelt "Until we see you again, brothers and sisters".
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After a brief meeting in the lobby, we would head, as a group, to a downtown VENDOR's VILLAGE were most of the veterans gathered. The ROAVING WALL was locate there, as well as numerous vendors, selling Vietnam memorabilia, and food items.
Monday thru Thursday was primarily spent taking in the sights and sounds of Branson. The many theatres dedicated their performances to our nations' Vietnam Veterans, and the performers often paid tribute to them. It was an honor to stand up and be recognized by the grateful crowds.
A highlight for many of the vets was the opportunity to take a ride on a vintage Huey helicopters, which some of us may have even ridden in while we were in Vietnam. The sights and sounds as the helicopters ferried us above the Branson countryside, brought us back to the days of our youth, and gave family members a chance to experience what it was like for us in Vietnam. Friday morning featured the WELCOME HOME parade. And six of our veterans participated in it. All we h ad was Tom Mueller's pic-up truck. BUt, a 4th Infantry Division quilt made by Cecil Sander's daughter was draped across the hood and the truck became our float. All of us, who participated, were deeply moved at the warm and sincere welcome we received from the community of Branson. There were abundant hugs and tears. For the first time, we could truthfully say that we had experienced our WELCOME HOME.
On Friday evening, we had our very first "official" gathering in a small conference room at the hotel. All thirteen veterans and their spouses attended. It was wonderful to see the veterans open up with each other. After Fred Golladay made some brief opening remarks and read a poem he had written, each individual veteran was given the opportunity to speak. There were many tears, and laughs, as each veteran expressed his heartfelt feelings.
On Saturday, our final night in Branson, we attended an outdoor concert at SADDLEBROOK, which included numerous performers from the 1960's and early 70's, which included the Beach Boys, The Four Tops, The Doobie Brothers, The Oakridge Boys, and many, many more. FLyovers in vintage airfcraft and combat reenactments from the Vietnam War were memorable features of the event, as well as parachute drops done by the Army's elite GOLDENEAGLES> A joyous time was had by all as we sang and danced t our favorite "oldies" . Toms Mueller's wife jokingly coined the event as "The Geriatric Woodstock"!
On Sunday morning, we met in the dining room of the hotel, to have our final breakfast and to meet in the lobby for our "goodbyes". But we were all very much aware that a very special tradition had begun. W would be doing this again!. It was not a "goodbye" but rather a heartfelt "Until we see you again, brothers and sisters".
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