Each year, the Veterans Day National Committee reviews submissions from across the nation that represent fitting tributes to America’s heroes. This year, Fayetteville’s Heroes Homecoming is among only 57 designated sites in 29 states that serve as model community events in honor of our nation’s veterans. Fayetteville’s Veterans Day Parade, which is part of Heroes Homecoming, was also selected as a Veterans Day Regional Site because of its status as such a significant event. 

 

“There is no other city in the country tied more closely to the Vietnam War and that entire period of our country’s history, which is why we’re so excited about the upcoming Heroes Homecoming event,” said Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne. “We hope this honor will result in more Vietnam vets attending the wonderful events taking place in Fayetteville leading up to Veterans Day.”

 

More than 50 events recognizing the service and sacrifice of our veterans are planned so far for Heroes Homecoming. Some of these events will showcase Vietnam-era photographs, artifacts and stories that pay tribute to veterans. 

 

The “Save the Montagnard People” event will take place on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. on Hay Street. The Montagnards are often referred to as “The Forgotten Army.” It is estimated that approximately 40,000 Montagnards served alongside American troops as scouts, interpreters and soldiers during the Vietnam War. There are countless stories recounting their heroism and loyalty. For years following the war, the Montagnard people continued their fight against the communist regime and slowly became the victims of systematic repression and genocide. Save the Montagnard People, Inc. (STMP), was formed at Fort Bragg in 1986 with a mission of giving the Montagnards the support they were promised but never received at the end of the war by bringing them safely onto U.S. soil. The STMP presentation documents the story of these brave, resilient people.

 

The Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum will pay tribute to local Fayetteville/Cumberland County Vietnam veterans through art and photography with the exhibit, “Images of Duty: A Tribute to Local Vietnam War Veterans.” The panels will include photographs of the veterans as they appeared in Vietnam and how they appear today. Profiles of the veterans will highlight their lives during the war and afterward. The exhibit, which will run from November 4-13, will include a display of Vietnam era weapons, uniforms, military gear and various other artifacts. 

 

Fayetteville State University will host Dr. Sharon Raynor, author of Breaking the Silence: The Unspoken Brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans, on Wednesday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. as part of its Chancellor’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Dr. Raynor created an oral history project based on her book that highlights the war experiences of Vietnam veterans in different parts of North Carolina. The program, which evolved from her father’s war experiences as seen and told in his personal photographs and diary, focuses on the stories of veterans who once shared a strict code of silence and who have now formed a brotherhood to help them heal. The presentation will feature video clip excerpts from Dr. Raynor’s interviews, as well as photographs, newspaper articles and memorabilia from the war.

 

To learn more about Heroes Homecoming and to view a full list of events, please visit HeroesHomecoming.com.

 

If you are interested in interviewing a Vietnam veteran for a profile piece, please contact Leah Knepper with Rubberneck Media at (919) 397-5355 or lknepper@rubberneckmedia.com.

 


As America’s First Military Sanctuary Community, Fayetteville/Cumberland County is giving brave Vietnam Veterans the welcome home they deserve. The community will host Heroes Homecoming – the biggest commemoration/reunion of its kind – for the 10 days leading up to Veterans Day 2011. The event series will feature celebrations, discussions, fellowship and memories for all those who attend. Heroes Homecoming is Fayetteville/Cumberland County’s way of showing all Vietnam Veterans that we remember and appreciate their courage, their sacrifice and everything they’ve done to defend our freedom – now and forever.

 

We Also Recommend...

Visit Fayetteville Pages

Smith Lake Recreation Area and Ski Rixen Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory and Museum 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum Airborne and Special Operations Museum JFK Special Warfare Museum Golden Knights Video/Briefing/Q&A Session