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Thursday, March 28, 2024 - 05:08 AM

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

First Published in 1994

INDEPENDENT CONSERVATIVE VOICE OF
UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA

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Saturday, March 31st, thousands of Vietnam Veterans proudly displayed their former military branch of service ball caps, T-shirts, jackets and vests.

Some of the veterans remembered being told to buy civilian clothes and either throw away their uniforms or possibly burn them before returning to the States.

They didn’t want strangers to know where they had been.

Now, almost 40 years later, organizations have decided it is time to give thsese military veterans, male and female, a welcome home celebration.

This free event was held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and was sponsored by the N.C. U.S.O. Organization, the N.C. Association of Broadcasters and the Speedway.

Approximately 62,500 people attended the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration.

The U.S. Marine Corps Band from Cherry Point, NC, performed the National Anthem and some familiar patriotic songs  to open the program. A wreath was placed at the Vietnam Memorial Wall replica and TAPS was played by a Marine bugler. The U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division Chorus sang several patriotic songs including the Armed Forces Medley.

Charley Daniels and his band closed out the celebration approximately 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Most of the crowd was from North Carolina. Other vehicles displayed license plates from South Carolina, Virginia,West Virginia, and a truck from Texas with a Purple Heart on its plate was also seen.

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