Free event, open to all veterans of all eras, will now be at American Legion post
DEARBORN – The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council has moved its Veterans Family Day Picnic on May 29 to Fort Dearborn American Legion Post 364, 3001 S. Telegraph Road in Dearborn.
The move is necessary because of flooding at Ford Field Park.
The event is open to all veterans of all eras and will be 1 to 6 p.m.
Local blues singer Curtis Sumter of the Curtis Sumter Project, who is known around town for his association with the Jaime Coe Band and The Reflections, is set to perform.
Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal Adrian Cronauer, the military DJ whose life inspired the movie “Good Morning Vietnam!” is scheduled to appear as well.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
In accordance with this year’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Parade theme, the picnic, though open to all veterans, will be a belated “welcome home” party for those who fought in Vietnam.
“Vietnam veterans, unlike those who fought in other wars, never really got a welcome home party,” DAWVC Commander Craig Tillman said.
He illustrated the hardships that Vietnam veterans faced upon their return home, and the general attitude that people had toward those who fought in the war.
“On the plane ride home from New Jersey to Dearborn, I was talking to one of the prettiest girls I had ever met in my life,” he said. “We were getting along fine, but the minute I said I was returning from Vietnam, it got real cold.
“This is the welcome home party we never got.”
The event will take place one day before the Memorial Day Parade.
For more information, call Tillman at (313) 407-6568, or Committee Chairman Ray Wantuck at (248) 330-5550.