EVENT CANCELLED: Gilchrist Holds Third Annual Veterans Celebration
Gilchrist’s third annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2020. The event will be held at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Rd., Windsor Mill, MD 21244.
The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration is a day to honor and thank the men and women in our community who served during the Vietnam War. This celebration honors the veterans in our care as well as all the veterans and their loved ones in our community. The event is one of the many ways Gilchrist recognizes the unique needs of veterans and thanks them for their sacrifice and service to our state and our country.
Schedule of Events
12:00 p.m.: Doors Open
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Brunch Served
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Resource Fair
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.: Program
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.: Resource Fair
2020 Speakers
Joseph Lee Galloway
Mr. Galloway is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. Since 2013, he has worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns’ production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998, for carrying a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965.
Kimberly Mitchell
Ms. Mitchell is the President and CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego. She was born in Vietnam and then adopted by an airman from an orphanage in Da Nang, Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War. She is recognized as an advocate for Vietnam veterans and Vietnam era veterans. Ms. Mitchell was the official spokesperson for the Department of Defense 50 Year Vietnam War Commemoration Committee for three years. Over the past five years, she has participated in various Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund events, Vietnam Veteran Honor flights and other events recognizing and honoring the service of Vietnam veterans. Kim served in the United States Navy for 17 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, serving onboard surface ships and at shore commands.
Comments from Previous Years’ Celebrations
“The speakers were inspirational and the overwhelming support for all was amazing.”
– Ellie W.“It is a very emotional ceremony. Giving thanks to those who lost love ones and to those survivors, acknowledging thanks is the biggest form of gratitude.”
– Gerald B.“I finally felt someone other than family was glad to have me back.”
– Joseph W., Veteran“I am a Vietnam combat veteran – I found the event very moving – great of Gilchrist to host – just awesome.”
– Barry M., Veteran“There was such a feeling of joy. The volunteers were so upbeat. I felt as though they truly cared about each and every person there.”
– Sharon R.“It had a great impact on my Vietnam Veteran husband. He hasn’t stopped talking about how good it made him feel, especially since when he returned home thru the San Francisco Airport, he was told to change out of his uniform because he’d be treated poorly.”
– Mary M., family member of veteran“The celebration will never be forgotten. I feel completely honored and appreciated for the sacrifices that we made but afraid to feel pride until your event.”
– Art G., Vietnam Veteran“I had a friend who said he wouldn’t go because he wasn’t thanked originally, and didn’t want thanks now, but who was very touched by the whole experience and said that he would come to the next one.”
– Richard H., guest of veteran“I loved it. As a woman veteran, I felt very special.”
– Anne S., Vietnam-era Veteran“My first husband was a Vietnam Combat Veteran, who is now deceased, and it helped me to heal.”
– Karla L., family member of deceased Vietnam Veteran
To learn more and register for the 2020 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration, visit www.gilchristcares.org/welcomehome.