Please Join Us

Gilchrist is pleased to host its second annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Please join us for a complimentary brunch, a heartfelt program and a joyous celebration of the service of our Vietnam veterans.

Please register early so that we can accommodate you as our guest. Seating is limited.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the ballroom will open, and brunch will be served. At this time, Vietnam veterans will have an opportunity to meet and talk with other Vietnam veterans and active duty military. A slideshow of service photos of Vietnam veterans and Vietnam Era veterans during the Vietnam War will be shown before the program begins. (Please see the FAQs below for information regarding submission of your photos.)

A resource fair will be open from 9:00am to 10:30am where information will be available about services, support, and resources to veterans and their loved ones. Butch Maisel, Museum Curator at Boys Latin School of Maryland, will present a special display of military items from the Vietnam War.

The program will be held in the ballroom from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

CSM Jonathan A. Uribe-Huitron will lead the soldiers of Aberdeen Proving Ground, the midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy, and other active duty military personnel from different branches in a salute to honor all veterans who served during the Vietnam War. There will be a candle lighting and an additional salute in remembrance of all Vietnam veterans who have died either during or after the war.

Agenda

9:00 a.m. – Doors open for an opportunity to meet and reconnect with fellow Vietnam Veterans and visit the Resource Tables
9:00.a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Brunch is served
10:30 a.m. – Formal Program Begins
12:00 p.m. – Formal Program Ends

Speakers

Diane Carlson Evans, USA – Nurse in Vietnam & Founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project. She became the first woman in American history to spearhead a campaign to place a national monument in Washington, D.C. recognizing the contribution of military women.

Guy Gruters, USAF – Pilot in Vietnam who flew more than 400 combat missions. In 1967, he was shot down, captured, and imprisoned in the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) for over 5 years.

Governor Larry Hogan- Sworn in as the 62nd governor of Maryland in 2015. Governor Hogan is committed to ensuring that Maryland’s 380,000 veterans are recognized for their service. He has proclaimed 2019 as the Year of the Veteran, which has special significance as this year marks the fifth anniversary of the first piece of legislation that he signed into law, which designated March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

Lt. Col. Tim Maxwell, USMC (Ret.) – Wounded in the Iraq War where he suffered debilitating life-threatening injuries including a TBI. He turned his injury into helping the military make life changing practices for wounded military personnel where no one goes through the healing process alone.

FAQs

Is registration required for this event?

Yes, registration is required for all guests. Registration is free and takes only a couple of minutes through event brite. We ask for your name, address, and telephone number. If you are a veteran, we would like to know your branch of service, and years of service.

We may not be able to accommodate last minute walk-ins so please register.

How do I submit photos to be included in the slideshow?

If you would like your service photos to be included in the slideshow, send them in JPG format by Friday, March 15, 2019 to WeHonorVeterans@gilchristcares.org.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Martin’s West is conveniently located right off the Baltimore Beltway. There is ample free parking at Martin’s West.

When is brunch being served?

Brunch will be available when the doors open at 9 a.m. until the program begins at 10:30 a.m.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

You can call 443.849.8306 or send an email to WeHonorVeterans@gilchristcares.org

What can I expect at the event?

From 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., brunch will be available. During this time, guests will have time to meet and talk with one another and visit the Resource Tables, a slideshow of photos of Vietnam Veterans during the Vietnam War will be shown, and guests will have an opportunity to place photos and mementos of friends, family and loved ones on the Remembrance Table.

Cancellation Policy:

If you need to cancel for any reason, please contact us at 443.849.8306 or send an e-mail to WeHonorVeterans@gilchristcares.org so that we can give your seat to another guest.

What is the dress?

Veterans are invited to wear their uniforms, if possible. If not, Vietnam Veterans are welcome to wear clothing and gear that identifies them as a Vietnam veteran. Otherwise, dress for the event is patriotic casual.