By Barbara Palmgren
Beginning this April, the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s conclusion will be commemorated with tributes to the men and women who served and the military operation that preserved the lives of over 10,000 Vietnam refugees fleeing from oppression under the new regime.
The first event, Honoring Our Heroes, is presented by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. This three-day event begins with stories of service, book signings, discussions and historical presentations. The first two days is a free event held at the Air Force Armament Museum from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, April 28 and Tuesday, April 29.
On Wednesday, April 30, the Heroes’ Tribute Banquet is scheduled at the Destin-FWB Fairgrounds from 5-9 p.m. with speakers and a buffet dinner. Tickets can be purchased for this banquet. Ted Corcoran, President and Chief Executive officer of the Greater Fort Walton Chamber of Commerce, encourages the community to help celebrate this historic 50-year anniversary and participate in all scheduled events.
The second tribute, the Vietnam Former Refugee Reunion, organized by Kim Delevett from California, takes place over two days May 3 and 4. Former refugees from Massachusetts, North Carolina, Texas and California, will return to the site where they lived in a tent city at Eglin Air Force Base for several months before finding sponsorships to begin a new life in the U.S.
On Saturday, May 3, they will gather in the new room addition to the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida to see the exhibit created in their honor. The exhibit occupies the entire space. Dr. Barbara Palmgren, museum Exhibits Chair and trustee, worked with trustees and staff to design an exhibit with photos and memorabilia for the three-phase operation of the camp. She especially thanks trustee Frank Berte for creating the flyer and the tent replica in the exhibit. Barbara also thanks Col. (Ret) Bill Keeler for loaning his photos that are now digitized for our local history. Trustee Jene McCracken and husband Bill McCracken organized materials for preservation of this exhibit with Bill completing digitization of all printed material.
On the morning of Saturday, May 3, Barbara will introduce Kim Delevett who is the guest speaker. Kim will conduct the reunion proceedings. Generous Tom Rice and Magnolia Grill is contributing a free lunch at the museum. Barbara and Mike Weaver, videographer and trustee for the museum, will record oral histories in the afternoon for guests who wish to be part of this project. On Sunday, May 4, reunion guests will visit the site of the camp itself on Eglin Air Force Base.
