On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, in partnership with USS North Carolina Battleship, hosted its first Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event. Vietnam Veterans received free admission to the ship; their guests received reduced admission prices. All could tour the ship at their leisure.
The West Brunswick High School Band Jazz Ensemble, led by Band Director Jason Seip, US Army Veteran, provided music before and during the event. Mr. Seip’s father, a Vietnam Veteran, traveled from Pennsylvania to play keyboards for the bad and join in the event.
Approximately 200 people joined on the battleship deck for a brief program. Color Guard U.S. Marine Corps Air Station New River presented flags. Speakers included former City of Wilmington Mayor and Vietnam Veteran Don Betz; LCFL Vice President of IT and Navy Veteran Rob Stumpf; LCFL Blue Boy Vet-to-Vet Volunteer and Air Force Veteran Nick Micale; and LCFL Volunteer Programs Coordinator Laura Long.
It was a good first turn out and the event received much positive feedback from veterans and the community. Our plans are to make this an annual event to honor Vietnam Veterans.
The event was promoted via multiple channels including invitations, social media, and television.
Social Media Posts
Live reports during the event were shared via television stations and also shown on evening broadcasts: