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‘Welcome Home Party You Never Got’ for Vietnam Veterans
Alaina Cordes Mar 02, 2015
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and the USS Yorktown Foundation welcome all Vietnam veterans, and those who wish to honor their service, to The Welcome Home Party You Never Got on April 24th, 2015 from 7:00-10:30 PM. It will be an opportunity to celebrate our Vietnam veterans and thank them for their service to this country.
When our veterans returned from Vietnam, very few honored them. On April 24th, everyone is invited to join us for this long overdue celebration, which will include:
- Live music from the 1960s and 1970s by The Explorers Club
- Barbecue dinner, wine, and beer. Liquor available for purchase.
- Access to the new and interactive Vietnam Experience Exhibit, spanning over 2.5 acres, landside of the USS YORKTOWN
- Free parking
Tickets are SOLD OUT!
You can also be sure to sit with your friends. Ensure priority seating and reserve a table for 8 guests for only $250. Limited numbers are available. Tables are now SOLD OUT.
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Poor taste to invite Vets, mistreated ones, to a welcome home party, then want to charge them for it.
Hi Dan,
The money generated through ticket sales is paying for the live music, food, beverages and staffing costs. We will not make any profit from the Welcome Home Party. Our goal is to make the party something our veterans will enjoy. Without charging a small fee, we would be unable to provide a party at all. I hope you understand. Our museum is advised by a committee of Vietnam veterans who help guide us through the decision making process. We run all of our ideas through them.
Leading up to the party, on April 17th we are hosting a symposium on the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. The men who were portrayed in the movie “We Were Soldiers” will be here to talk about what the war was really like. This symposium, along with several other WWII and Vietnam commemoration events, is free to the public.
Thank you for leaving your comment. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Chris Hauff
Public Information Officer
I was in the Nam for 3 years, thanks for the “party” I will not be there, the $20 kills it for us.
Keep you money, nothing has changed has it?
Respectfully Joe Murray USN Seabees MCB 4 RVN 68-69-70
Mr. Murray,
Thank you for your message and most importantly, your military service. The money generated through ticket sales is paying for the live music, food, beverages and staffing costs. We will not make any profit from the Welcome Home Party. Our goal is to make the party something our veterans will enjoy, but without charging a small fee, we would be unable to provide a party at all. We have some corporate sponsors who are helping tremendously to offset the costs, but unfortunately we cannot assume the rest. We must also consider the three 70+-year old vessels for which we must provide constant maintenance.
Leading up to the party, on April 17th we are hosting a symposium on the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. The men who were portrayed in the movie “We Were Soldiers” will be here to talk about what it was really like. This symposium, along with several other WWII and Vietnam commemoration events, is free to the public.
We completely understand your position and are sorry to hear you will not be joining us. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
I wish to thank all of the veterans of viet nam and world war two for the price they paid for this country
So, if you are a Vietnam Vet you have to pay to go to your own “Welcome back party”?
Hi Larry,
The money generated through ticket sales is paying for the live music, food, beverages and staffing costs. We will not make any profit from the Welcome Home Party. Our goal is to make the party something our veterans will enjoy. Without charging a small fee, we would be unable to provide a party at all. I hope you understand.
Leading up to the party, on April 17th we are hosting a symposium on the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. The men who were portrayed in the movie “We Were Soldiers” will be here to talk about what it was really like. This symposium, along with several other WWII and Vietnam commemoration events, is free to the public.
Thank you for leaving your comment. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Chris Hauff
Public Information Officer
I served on the Yorktown in 68/69. I think this is a good thing you are doing. Don’t know how anyone could complain about $20 for dinner, beer, wine and music and the chance to get together with fellow Viet Nam Vets. I will try to be there.
My dad was a Vietnam vet but has passed away. Will they be honored as well?
Hi Robin,
Our commemorative events for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War have and will celebrate, honor and memorialize our Vietnam veterans. For instance, back in October, we had the 80% replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall here, and we have many upcoming symposiums, including one on Ia Drang Valley, to help entertain and educate the public on many topics from this era. While we are hosting the ‘The Welcome Home Party’ to have some fun and celebrate our Vietnam veterans, we never stop honoring those who did not make it home, or those who have since left us. We all welcome you to attend the party in your father’s honor and share his story.
If you have further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to to reach out!
Alaina Cordes
Marketing Coordinator
I will be coming through that aria in that time frame. Will you have parking for me I am in a 30′ motor home with a 18″ trailer about 50″ total. I am most interested in showing my wife the Vietnam display. Personally I think you should have different prices for Nam Vets than people just coming for the party.
Good morning Mr. Wolfe, Glad to hear you plan to join us. We can certainly accommodate your parking needs. You will need to follow the signs to bus parking (which goes past the main entrance, then take the first left at the traffic circle — then a left at the next stop sign.). Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
I am a Vietnam Vet. I was at your last welcome home and I enjoyed it. Thanks for all that you people do for us vets. I know we didn’t get the welcome we should have had back then but thank God for the people that show kindness
now. Again I say thank you, Leonard Atkinson
Mr. Atkinson, thank you for your kind words and most of all, for your military service. One of our primary goals is to honor the service of ALL of our country’s great veterans in all that we do.
Molly Hamilton
Assistant Public Information Officer
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
I understand the cost of overhead. But to charge the Vet is a travesty. this is where you go to a group of corporate sponsors and private donations to pay for the veterans and their guest ticket. You could charge the rest of us. I intend to forward this to my Veterans connections organizations as well as senators Scott and Graham. You invite them to a party in their honor and expect them to bring their own gift. (Ticket). Thoughtless and tacky. They have already paid the price of defending our country. Poor PR on your part. They already feel unappreciated and now you ask them to monetarily pay for a “welcome home”. I hope someone will step up and FINALLY do the right thing for these veterans.
Ms. Coleman, we completely understand your position. Our goal is to make the party something our veterans will enjoy, but as a state agency (and not a private corporation), without charging a small fee, we would be unable to provide a party at all. We did seek the help of corporate sponsors and several have signed on to assume some of the costs of the event. This has allowed us to keep the cost of the ticket very low, but there are still costs associated with the live band, food, beverages and staffing that we must cover so as not to take away funding from our general operations of maintaining the three 70+-year old vessels in our fleet. We will not be profiting from this event, but it something we really wanted to do to honor the service of Vietnam veterans as a Commemorative Partner of the Department of Defense for the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.
We offer several free events each year to honor our nation’s veterans. For example, Leading up to the party, on April 17th we are hosting a symposium on the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. The men who were portrayed in the movie “We Were Soldiers” will be here to talk about what the war was really like. This symposium, along with several other WWII and Vietnam commemoration events, is free to the public.
While we understand your position, please understand that the majority of what we do at our museum is intended to honor our veterans and to educate the public on all that they have done for our country. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further concerns.
Molly Hamilton
Assistant Public Information Officer
I now feel just like when I got home. No answer in five days. Will I comment on Facebook and Twitter. I will even comment in the Vietnam groups I belong to. One more time ignored. One more time forgotten.
Sorry just after posting I got the answer.
I was with the 9th div Lrrps from 68-69 at Dong Tam Vietnam I Welcome the celebration
The area hotels (Mt Pleasant) don’t seem to be offering any special rates for this event if there are people who want or have to stay overnight. Can the organization get in touch with them to offer rates $100 or less?
Mr. Blitzer, I spoke with someone in the USS Yorktown Association about this issue, and he is working to see what can be arranged. We will be sure to post any offers for reduced hotel rates on this website, and will make sure to correspond with you directly as well.
Molly Hamilton
Assistant Public Information Officer
My sister and I would love to surprise our dad with a trip here but we both have young children and am wondering what ages would be appropriate. We would love to have all 3 generations to support him.
Good morning. Children of all ages come to our museum; children under the age of 6 are admitted for free with an adult. For ages 6-11, the cost of a ticket is $12. Children must be supervised at all times. Our museum is quite large and there are many steps and passageways. Some guests with small children find it difficult to navigate with toddlers, but it is certainly manageable. There are elevators available to those who need them and can provide access to the main levels of the USS Yorktown. As a parent of young children myself, my children have been coming to Patriots Point for many years and thoroughly enjoy it. But I also know some who have a hard time keeping their children with them, or find all of the steep “ladders” (stairs) slightly dangerous. I would say it would depend on your child, but it is certainly manageable. Hope that helps. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. ~Molly Hamilton, Public Information & Media Relations
May I donate $20 for a Vietnam Veteran who may not be able to afford a ticket
Welcome home to all Veterans especially the ones from the Vietnam era.
Mr. Pawlak, Thank you for your very generous offer. I have forwarded your email to someone in ticketing and they will be in touch with you.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
As spokesperson for the James Island High School Class of 1964, we welcomed this opportunity to say thank you to our classmates who served. Our class will pay for tickets of our veterans and wives to attend this great event. As one of our veteran classmates said, “I would love to attend the party that never happened for us Vietnam folks”. We are thankful they came home safe. Instead of finding negatives in these plans I hope others will look at it as a positive way to express their thanks and fund tickets for other veterans to attend.
Tensie,
Thank you for your kind words and for the generosity of the James Island High School Class of 1964. It is great to hear of so many individuals and groups wanting to cover the cost for veterans to attend this party. It is our hope that veterans will feel appreciated at this event and that our citizens can show their thanks to these veterans for their selfless military service.
Thanks again for your kindness.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
WHY TABLES ONLY FOR 8? HOW ABOUT A TABLE FOR FAMILY OF 4.SEMOER-FI. LOU GUIDI NAM 67
Good morning and thanks for your interest in the party. The tables we are using will seat eight people. However, you are more than welcome to purchase four tickets and it is very likely you will be able to find an open table where the four of you can sit together, it just will not be a guaranteed location. Hope that helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Why is everyone so offended by a 20$ fee to come to eat, drink, listen to great music and talk to and listen to American heroes?? It’s 20$!!!! as stated several times above they are gaining no profit from this event….why do people always have to complain? Just come, pay your 20$, have a beer listen to music and RELAX….jeez!
Hi Molly, I have heard from my classmates and we have need for 10 tickets. Would it be possible to purchase a table and put two additional chairs for our party of 10?
Good afternoon Tensie. If you purchase a table (which will include eight tickets) and two additional tickets, you should find it easy enough to pull up two additional chairs to your table so you can all be together. It might be a bit of a squeeze, but should be possible. Hope that helps!
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Thank for for this wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to my Dad. His 80th birthday is in early May and this is a perfect opportunity for my siblings and me to honor him (two-fold). I didnt see any communication about the actual fee for the Vietname Exhibit requirement in addition to the $20 fee for the welcome home celebration. Is the$20 per person fee the only charge per person or do we also need to pay the $20 fee for the exhibit? I also wanted to ask for those who may not know until the last minute if they will be able to come into town, whether we can purhcase tickets for those individuals at the “door” if we go ahead and reserve a table for 8 (I noted above you stated it is possible to add a few chairs if needed and I wanted to include out of town siblings in my group invite if so).
Thank you Melissa for your kind words. We are happy to hear that you and your family are planning on coming to the party. We look forward to giving your father a proper “thank you” for his selfless service. The admission to the exhibit is included in the ticket price. The party will actually be held inside the 3-acre exhibit. As for whether or not the tickets will be available at the door, that is difficult to say. At this time, we expect the tickets to sell out before the 24th. If that doesn’t happen (though we expect it will), we will likely offer tickets at the door. We are limited to a specific number of tickets (due to size constraints in the event location), and once those are gone, that is it. Hope that helps. Let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Thanks for the party. I am ashamed of those that complained about the $20.00 the band and food cost. It is a lot better than the welcome we got the first time.
THANKS
A party is a nice thought, but I got my welcome home from my family and friends in ’71. I am a 100% disabled Vietnam vet.If I am to pay for a welcome home, I would pay twice that much to attend a party for the Korean Vets who were totally forgotten. Thanks for the thought though. By the way, you should send a bus to the 4th floor of the Ralph A Johnson on Bee St. Those guys would love a party.
I am a Vietnam Vet and a Gulf War Vet and it is to bad you will always have someone complain. Try and see what you can get for $20.00 any where. BBQ, beer and wine, a live band, I’m going and I’ll bring my Brothers from Tiger Force Recon, 101st Airborne Division 1966-1968.
Already mention in a reply Korea Vets once again forgotten….Yorktown was in Korea and after we were downing Formosa straits supporting the Chinese escaping to what was known then as Island of Formosa. Korea, never a declared war lost 54,9000 Us…Some losses of our pilots happened after the signing of the armistice but they should be honored just as others. We lost some sailors from injury on flight deck also that just about included me when plane crashed on deck. Many of us attended colleges to become teachers when we came home in 54….finding little to nothing in our college history classes on the truth about Korea and why the north and south started a civil war. We tried to make a difference as teachers but those in power saw to it that the truth was not in our history books. Now the only thing important is science and math…As one of our Korean Vet news letters stated:Funny thing about the Every Child Left Behind law. The assumption is that every child must and will graduate with at least a Bachelors degree. Crazy! There are a lot of kids who cannot write a coherent sentence or spell correctly. I just don’t understand the rationale. I guess, if we continue to ship our manufacturing jobs overseas everyone working at entry-level positions will have at least a BA or BS. HA! The most educated work force in the world doing the most menial tasks!
Korea Vets once again forgotten….Yorktown was in Korea and in 54 in Formosa straits supporting the National Chinese Korea was never a declared war even wit the loss of 54,000 US between 50 and 53 We lost pilots even after signing the armistice that stopped the fighting but not the police action or civil war. They should be honored just as others. We lost sailors from injury on flight deck Many of us attended colleges to become teachers when we came home in 54….Finding little to nothing in our college history classes on the truth about Korea and why the north and south started a civil war some of us tried to teach the truth. Even to this day you will the truth is not in our history books. Now the only thing important is science and math…As one of our Korean Vet teachers published:
“Funny thing about the Every Child Left Behind law. The assumption is that every child must and will graduate with at least a Bachelors degree. Crazy! There are a lot of kids who cannot write a coherent sentence or spell correctly. I just don’t understand the rationale. I guess, if we continue to ship our manufacturing jobs overseas everyone working at entry-level positions will have at least a BA or BS. HA! The most educated work force in the world doing the most menial tasks!
Having been on the Yorktown with my grandkids I thank you for doing your share of making them aware of our history I also know it takes money to get the word out there. We need more Veterans for all wars speaking at our schools….and telling what really happened …
Reply
It’s a long way to travel from Wisconsin for this Vietnam Vet. Thanks so much for the party and for all of the vets that do attend have a great time and enjoy your party!!!
WELCOME HOME TO ALL VIETNAM VETS
Dear yorktown staff I served 68-69 in the united states Army, thank you for the welcome back. I would like to buy extra tickets to donate to those whom can not pay or feel it is not right for our vets to pay. All Vietnam Vets from our area should attend this very important event.Please contact me>
God bless our Viet Nam brother and sisters !
Danny
Thank you for your kind offer. If you would like to donate tickets to veterans who cannot pay to attend the party, please send an email to [email protected] and someone will assist you.
Thanks again,
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Good Day, My father is a Vietnam Vet. He was part of the 7th Cavalry I believe. Never got specifics from him. I would like to surprise him and take him to the reunion. My fathers name is Rafael Castro. I’m looking for a contact that he communicates with. I believe his name is Robert Kinkade. I also know that a lot of the characters portrayed in the movie were part of his unit. I also saw there was a symposium with the vets that took place in the Film ” We Were Soldiers…Once and Young”. Can you please assist.
Thank you in advance,
Rafael W Castro(Son, not a Jr.)
Mr. Castro, I am not sure who to contact about the reunion, I would try to contact any 7th Calvary Associations of which your father may be a part. There will be a symposium on Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. featuring members of the 1st of the 7th Calvary. It is a free event (with a $5 charge to park) and open to the public. Veterans of the 7th Calvary are planning to be here to discuss the movie and how accurately, or not, it portrayed the battle in which they participated. The symposium will be onboard the USS Yorktown and you can find more information here: http://www.patriotspoint.org/news_events/event/the-battle-of-ia-drang-valley-symposium/. Then the next Friday (April 24) will be the Welcome Home Party for Vietnam veterans (and those wishing to honor them).
Hope that helps.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
I would like to say that while I understand you have to cover the cost of the event, It is in poor taste to charge the veterans that have risked their lives for our freedom. Perhaps you could have modeled this like Tom’s shoes…you know you buy a pair they give a pair to someone in need. Well you could have charged a little more for the tickets and then given a vet a free ticket.
We certainly understand your position and we wish we were not a state agency and could afford to offer all vets to come for no charge. A committee of veterans worked with us to plan this event and all agreed that this minimum charge was acceptable. If we had offered veteran tickets for a free or reduced rate, we may not have been able to sell enough non-veteran tickets to make throwing this party feasible. We simply have too great a responsibility to the three 70+ year old vessels in our fleet to risk losing too much in trying to do something special for our veterans. This is not an event from which we will profit. We simply want to cover the costs as best as possible and still do something great for the veterans who gave so much. This $20 ticket will allow you a wonderful dinner, beer & wine, entertainment from a live band and free access to the new exhibit. We hope you understand.
My daughter would love to volunteer at this event. She is a sophomore at First Baptist in charleston, sc and has been doing fundraising for the wounded warriors for her school project. Can you help with finding her an opportunity to volunteer ? My father, her grandfather, served 4 years for the Marines in Vietnam.
Thank you, Jennifer Stewart
[email protected]
Ms. Stewart,
Thank you for your kind offer. It sounds like your daughter is working on a great project and we commend her for that interest. I have asked several departments who will be involved with staffing the party, and all of the positions (volunteers and otherwise) have been filled. Also, being that alcohol will be served at the party, it’s not one where we will have under-aged volunteers. We will certainly keep your information on file however and we may very well contact you/her for future opportunities.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Can you tell me what the dress attire will be?
Chrissy,
Good morning! The attire for the Welcome Home party will be casual. We look forward to seeing you there.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
We are thankful to all who planned a very special event. We are embarrassed by those who are complaining about $20 We are looking forward to a fun and special homecoming!
Molly, et al.,
My wife and I purchased tickets to attend and thank our Vietnam Veterans, but would gladly contribute those tickets so that Vietnam veterans who might otherwise be unable to attend may do so. Can you please tell me how we can do this?
Thanks… And thanks to those who served.
Good morning Pat. You are very kind to make this offer. Between some donated by Patriots Point and others given by people like yourself who wanted to pay the way for a veteran, we donated approximately 100 tickets to veterans who wanted to come to the party. I’m not sure if we know of anyone else at this time who would like to come but do not have a ticket. Perhaps you can come to the party and offer your thanks to those who are here. We are expecting a great number of veterans will be in attendance and I am sure they will appreciate your thanks just as much they would your tickets. If I hear of a veteran who would like to go and is in need of a ticket, I will be sure to let you know.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Thanks Molly.
Any vets out there who would like to attend and be welcomed home, and don’t have tickets, please let us know.
Pat
Can’t believe it’s sold out – was planning to take a friend and go to the event. I am a Vietnam vet and a local here in the Low Country. I visited Patriot’s Point about a month ago with another vet and had a ball there. I will gladly purchase 2 tickets if you know of anyone who has extras.
My father is a Vietnam Veteran. He stepped on a land mine and is a Purple Heart recipient. My husband and I would love to bring him and my mother to the Welcome Home party but according to the website, the event is sold out. Will extra tickets become available? Thanks!
OK Molly, how do Christy McCoy and I let Pat Stanton know that we could use tickets? There doesn’t seem to be any connection method working there!
Larry,
I sent Pat an email with your messages and contact information (as provided through this site). I will attempt to contact Pat and see if the tickets are still available.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Thanks for the “Welcome Home”. Not knowing if I would be in town I waited to get tickets (not knowing there was tickets). My bad. I never thought it would be anywhere but the hanger deck on the Yorktown therefore, no ‘limit’ on how many could attend, which automatically leaves out many more than the number with tickets. In my many interactions with vets in this area I have found that if one does not actively seek said interactions with veteran groups the veteran falls through the cracks because he/she is not actively sought out by those groups and the veteran goes on their way thinking no one cares enough to seek him/her for activities/memberships. I find the same cliques among said groups as I saw in the military. I’m a little off subject here so I will stop. -Bill; RVN 68-69
Mr. Boyd, Sorry you missed the chance to get tickets to the party. In addition to a space issue, it’s also a cost issue as to why tickets were limited. I assure you, we made great efforts to contact veterans groups throughout the region to tell them about this party, just as we do for other events we hold throughout the year. Our mission at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is to honor and educate — we strive to honor the service of all of our nation’s veterans while educating all generations about their sacrifice. We hope you always feel welcome to come here.
Molly Hamilton
Public Information & Media Relations
Any hotel discounts for those staying overnight?
The Quality Inn & Suites on Patriots Point Road offered rooms at approximately $150 a night. If you would like to contact that hotel for availability: 196 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: (843) 856-8817.
If tickets are sold out how can I come anyway.
Unfortunately tickets are, in fact, sold out and admission will not be allowed without a ticket. Costs and space required that we limit the number of tickets sold and once those were exhausted, that was it. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you at a future event.
Molly Hamilton
Assistant Public Information Officer
My dad would have liked this event: Field Artillery, served in Korea one tour and Vietnam 2 tours. He died age 49 in part as a result of the impact of his military service on his physical health. I feel sure he would not have balked at paying $20 nor been offended to pay a nominal charge like that for what the evening offers. Since he retired to the Charleston area before he dies I also feel sure he would have offered his service as a volunteer in the Vietnam exhibit at Patriots Point in order to share with others what he learned in his service. He loved those Howitzers, helicopters and the rest of it. Folks who are still living and other folks who still have your veteran fathers, brothers, cousins, and husbands – be glad of that and celebrate these veterans instead of finding fault with this event.
thank you for a wonderful evening and the surprise flyover of the chopper. i am sure it brought back many memories for those present. I am just disappointed in the local news media for not even mentioning the event. I guess they are still in disrespect mode. I for one am very grateful for all my brothers and sisters that sacrificed so much for this country and would still defend her today.
What a great time. Great food, music, entertainment and Gen Livingston’s speech spot on. Great display at the Vietnam Experience. You guys did great!
Great food, great music, great weather and a wonderful crowd of people. Congratulations to Mac Burdett, the board and the staff for such a well planed event. The Huey fly over made my heart pump!
Another great experience at patriots point! Thanks to you all for looking out for, and keeping the memory live, for our veterans and their families
This event is one I will never forget. Thank you so much for your efforts and hard work in organizing this most memorable evening. Memories, both good and bad were presented with caring and dignity.
Thanks for the GREAT party. That Huey flyover brought tears to my eyes. Good food, great music, and outstanding videos that took me way, way back.
After 48 years, I truly feel ‘welcomed back’.
Keep up the good work.