Opening Weekend of Heroes Homecoming A Dream Come True for Vietnam Vets

“Welcome Home” Celebration in Fayetteville, NC Gains Momentum as Veterans Day Weekend Approaches

Fayetteville, NC – November 10, 2011 – On a cold, rainy morning this past Friday, hundreds of people, the majority of whom were Vietnam War veterans, turned out for the opening ceremony of Heroes Homecoming in Fayetteville, NC. The ceremony, which was relocated indoors to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM) due to weather, officially kicked off a commemoration that has been more than 30 years in the making. Heroes Homecoming is a 60-event, 10-day celebration honoring and paying tribute to Vietnam vets. The celebration will continue throughout the week in the days leading up to Veterans Day 2011.

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Event organizers have heard from Vietnam veterans from across the country – and even outside of the U.S. – who are planning on traveling to Fayetteville to take part in Heroes Homecoming. Vietnam veterans are noticeable as they arrive to town in large numbers, wearing t-shirts and baseball caps that proudly display their service. One Vietnam veteran in attendance at Friday’s opening ceremony described this long overdue welcome home as “a dream come true.”

Several events took place this past weekend following the opening ceremony, including the Heroes Crusade sporting tournament. The goal of the three-day event, which included a golf tournament, Fallen Warrior Rugby Tournament and run/walk/bike, was to raise awareness and funds for wounded warriors. Nearly 500 athletes participated in the tournament, raising $12,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, Green Beret Foundation, RDU AMBUCS and Ride 2 Recovery.

The Vietnam Wall Traveling Memorial arrived in Fayetteville at the end of the Heroes Crusade bike ride. The memorial is a half-sized replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than 20 years. The wall was escorted into its position at the ASOM by the Rolling Thunder, who will also provide around the clock security while the wall is in town. The wall is open to the public 24/7 until noon on Monday, November 14.

Excitement surrounding Heroes Homecoming will continue to build with the arrival of Adrian Cronauer on Thursday, November 10. Cronauer is the inspiration behind the movie Good Morning, Vietnam and is the spokesperson for the event. Cronauer, who has dedicated a significant portion of his life to serving his fellow veterans, has spent the past several months making sure each and every Vietnam vet knows about Heroes Homecoming, so they can finally get the welcome home they deserve. He will participate in select Heroes Homecoming events while in town, including introducing a showing of his movie as part of the ASOM Film Festival on Friday, November 11; and taking part in the Veterans Day Parade and acting as emcee for the USO of NC Variety Show on Saturday, November 12.

The Veterans Day Parade, which will take place on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., will be the most visible of all the Heroes Homecoming events. The parade is the perfect opportunity for the entire community to come together in a public display of support and finally say ‘thank you’ to these deserving vets. All Vietnam vets are invited to take part by marching in the parade.

“We weren’t heroes and didn’t expect to be treated as heroes when we came home, but a simple ‘thank you’ would have been nice,” said Vietnam veteran and Heroes Homecoming committee member Bob Graveen. “That’s why Heroes Homecoming is such a big deal after all this time.”

Vietnam vets attending Heroes Homecoming are invited to check in at the event welcome center, which is located inside Freedom Memorial Park at the corner of Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard. Visitors can pick up event brochures and other information from the welcome center, which will be staffed with volunteers from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.

Heroes Homecoming is being held in partnership with the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and is presented by WRAL-TV. For more information on Heroes Homecoming, visit www.HeroesHomecoming.com.

About Heroes Homecoming:

As America’s First Military Sanctuary Community, Fayetteville/Cumberland County is giving brave Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserve. The community will host Heroes Homecoming – the biggest commemoration/reunion of its kind – for the 10 days leading up to Veterans Day 2011. The event series will feature celebrations, discussions, fellowship and memories for all those who attend. Heroes Homecoming is Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s way of showing all Vietnam veterans that we remember and appreciate their courage, their sacrifice and everything they’ve done to defend our freedom – now and forever.

About the FACVB:

The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217. Fayetteville/Cumberland County is America's first military sanctuary. Through the Army's Army and other volunteer groups, our citizens and businesses are dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us ©.”

Cumberland County, NC School System Honors Vietnam Veterans as Part of Heroes Homecoming

55,000 students take part in more than 100 activities leading up to Veterans Day

Fayetteville, NC – November 2, 2011 – More than 30 percent of students in the Cumberland County School System come from military families. So it’s fitting that the school system has put together a detailed list of resources and events all geared towards honoring Vietnamveteran heroes as part of Heroes Homecoming. Heroes Homecoming is a 60-event, 10-day celebration honoring and paying tribute to Vietnam vets from across the country. It will take place in Fayetteville/Cumberland County, NC, from November 4-13, 2011.

There is no other city in the country tied more closely to the Vietnam War and that entire period of our country’s history. More than 200,000 troops trained at Fayetteville’s Fort Bragg before being deployed to Vietnam. The community currently has both a considerable population of native-born Vietnamese and one of the highest concentrations of Vietnam veterans in the country. Yet there is still a great deal of misunderstanding among residents, especially the younger generation, about just what this history means. Heroes Homecoming is designed to celebrate the community’s history and cultural diversity, while promoting an atmosphere of appreciation between Fayetteville and Vietnam, and giving thanks to those who fought for us in that conflict.

“An event like Heroes Homecoming provides an unprecedented opportunity for our children to learn about that period in history,” said Frank Till, Superintendent of Cumberland County Schools. “I am very proud that our schools have the opportunity to honor the tremendous sacrifices of those who served during the Vietnam War.”

The Cumberland County School System, the fourth largest district in the state, is made up of 85 schools and nearly 55,000 students. From November 4-11, more than 100 activities will take place at the majority of elementary and secondary schools throughout the county. Many of these events will focus on the Vietnam War era and conflict.

All classes will invite parents, relatives or other Vietnam veterans to speak to students about their service. They will be invited to share their experiences, both good and bad, with older students during an interactive panel discussion.

Students will create and present artwork, poems and songs in honor of Vietnam vets. They will write letters of appreciation that will be delivered to local veteran hospitals and nursing homes. Students will have the opportunity to read books like “The Wall” and “The Lotus Seed” and to watch videos like “How Tiger Got His Stripes” and discuss their significance afterward.

Facts and statistics about the Vietnam War will be read over the PA system each day as part of the morning announcements. Students will bring in pictures and videotaped interviews of their veteran family and friends to share during “Vietnam Show and Tell.” There will be a school-wide moment of silence for Vietnam soldiers that were killed or injured in the war, as well as a breakfast and brunch held in honor of all Vietnam vets.

Students will learn about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and will have the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall that will be located at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM) throughout Heroes Homecoming. Schools will also raise funds to purchase an “In Remembrance of Our Vietnam Veterans” brick paver at the ASOM.

The entire Heroes Homecoming curriculum can be viewed at http://livebinders.com/play/play/190294.

Heroes Homecoming is being held in partnership with the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. All Heroes Homecoming events recognize the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans, ranging from concerts and parades, to lectures and movie viewings, to cultural celebrations and recognition ceremonies. For more information on Heroes Homecoming, visit www.HeroesHomecoming.com.

About Heroes Homecoming: As America’s First Military Sanctuary Community, Fayetteville/Cumberland County is giving brave Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserve. The community will host Heroes Homecoming – the biggest commemoration/reunion of its kind – for the 10 days leading up to Veterans Day 2011. The event series will feature celebrations, discussions, fellowship and memories for all those who attend. Heroes Homecoming is Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s way of showing all Vietnam veterans that we remember and appreciate their courage, their sacrifice and everything they’ve done to defend our freedom – now and forever.

About the FACVB: The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Fayetteville/Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com or call 1-800-255-8217. Fayetteville/Cumberland County is America's first military sanctuary. Through the Army's Army and other volunteer groups, our citizens and businesses are dedicated to “watching over those who watch over us ©.”