Plans Finalized for Vietnam Vets ‘Welcome Home’ Events

Fort Sill post officials are working out the final details for this week's scheduled "Welcome Home" events for our Vietnam veterans according to PAO. Among the events planned is a procession of buses from the Field Artillery Museum parking lot to the Rinehart Physical Fitness Center on Friday morning (3/29) between 9:45 and 10am. They are encouraging everyone to come out and line the procession route.

"We are recommending the public arrive about 9:30 and park in the IHG Army Hotel's Holiday Inn Express parking lot on Fergusson Road," said Nancy Elliott, post spokesperson. "This location offers easy access from Key Gate and a safe place to park."

To get to the parking lot from Key Gate, follow Sheridan Road to the first set of lights and take a left onto Geronimo Road. The first right is Fergusson Road and the parking lot is on the right. Active duty soldiers and school children will be lining the remaining procession route.

Following the procession there will be a Welcome Home ceremony at the Rinehart Physical Fitness Center that the public is invited to attend. The veterans will be mustered to march into the Fitness Center to grateful cheers from those gathered at 10 am. Fort Sill's Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, will welcome all those gathered and say a few remarks.

Immediately following the ceremony, the veterans will be honored at a luncheon at the Patriot Club.

From 1:00 to 1:45 pm, the veterans will be invited to tour the National Historic Landmark and Museum and the Sherman House, the commanding general's home on the Old Post Quadrangle. Then at 2 pm, the veterans will gather on the Quadrangle to be honored at Fort Sill's Monthly Retirement Ceremony.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and support the Vietnam veterans at all the events, but most especially by lining the procession route and attending the celebrations.

Here is the map of the route through Fort Sill.