Each year a Gilchrist, a hospice I volunteer with to do ‘Military Service Recognition Ceremonies’ for elderly WWII, Korean and Vietnam war veterans while they reside in hospice care, presents a wonderful “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day!” celebration here in Maryland.

Sadly, due to the Coronavirus restriction this 2021 version will be done virtually – no less important in the least though – and it is and has been an important event for those veterans and their families to be a part of. The other celebrations preceding this year’s have been held at Martins West – a beautiful reception and wedding venue outside of Baltimore and boy, does Gilchrist do it up well! Stay tuned for the 2022 version of this as it is truly a wonderful time…and bring your appetite because the food is plentiful and awesome.

Here is a link to their video for this years celebration, I think we all appreciate what Gilchrist is doing for this cause. Please – if you know any family, relatives, or friends who served in Vietnam then I personally ask you pass this info along to them so that they too can be recognized, thanked and get the true ‘welcome home’ that many didn’t get when they returned from Vietnam and overseas. Also – this celebration is for ALL Vietnam Veterans, not just those who live here in Maryland!

(The link in the graphic does not work – see the links below it please.)

Here is the event press release Gilchrist has on their website – please have those you know who would like to do this put their names into the registration and help them to mark it on their calendars:

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration

Gilchrist’s Virtual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at 3 p.m. EST. We are privileged to host this special virtual celebration of service to honor and thank the men and women in our community who served during the Vietnam War. Registration is required.

Gilchrist’s Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day celebration honors the veterans in our care as well as all of the veterans in our community, and coincides with Maryland’s Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan in 2015. This celebration is one of the many ways Gilchrist recognizes the unique needs of veterans and thanks them for their sacrifice and service to our country. We are proud to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Learn more about Gilchrist’s We Honor Veterans program or call our veterans coordinator at 444-849-8337 or email kkahl@gilchristcares.org.

Again – in the years I have been volunteering for and attending these ceremonies I have spoken with many, many attendees and their wives and each and every one said they had never thought this formal “Thank You for Your Service” would ever happen. But it does and thank you Gilchrist for making it so…

Reed H. Kohberger, LCDR, USCG (Ret.)