Fort Riley will host a ceremony to honor Vietnam War Veterans.
The following statement was released by the 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office:
FORT RILEY, Kan. – Soldiers returning from deployment today are often met
with family, friends and fanfare, but that wasn’t always the case decades
ago as troops came home from fighting in the Vietnam War.
To properly honor the Soldiers who fought in the conflict and the sacrifices
they made, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley will host a Vietnam
Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony Nov. 6 on Fort Riley.
“The 1st Infantry Division – the nation’s First Division – will do what it
can to render proper thanks and honor to those who served in Vietnam during
a welcome home ceremony,” said Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., 1st Inf. Div.
and Fort Riley commanding general. “We, joined by our partners in the
Central Flint Hills Region of Kansas, owe a welcome home to our Vietnam
heroes that they deserve, that they never got.”
All veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces who served during the
Vietnam era are invited to take part in the welcome-home ceremony. Those
wishing to participate are asked to send an email to 1stIDEvents@gmail.com
to RSVP. Go to www.riley.army.mil/vietnamveteranswelcome.aspx for more
information on the event.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the ceremony to welcome the
Vietnam War veterans. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on Marshall Army
Airfield.
Anyone entering Fort Riley who appears to be age 16 or older is required to
show a valid Department of Defense ID Card, Riley Access Pass or Riley
Access Badge. Visitors without a DOD ID card who wish to enter Fort Riley
are reminded that a temporary Fort Riley Access Pass or Badge is required.
If you know the exact date of your visit, it is highly recommended to get a
temporary pass or badge early by stopping by the Visitor Control Center or
emailing usarmy.riley.imcom-central.mbx.des-vcc@mail.mil. If you are unable
to get a pass early, make sure to allow extra time the day of your visit to
get through processing at the Visitor Control Center.
The Visitor Control Center (Building 885) is located by the Henry Gate
Access Control Point (Exit 301, U.S. Interstate Highway 70) and is open 24
hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about post access and
requirements, go to
http://www.riley.army.mil/Units/GarrisonCommand/EmergencyServices/AccessInfo
rmation.aspx.