• James Swanson served from 1963 to 1967 looks at a war exhibit Saturday at Mills Park in Carson City.
    James Swanson served from 1963 to 1967 looks at a war exhibit Saturday at Mills Park in Carson City.
  • A Chinook helicopter with C-Hill in the background Saturday at Mills Park in Carson City.
    A Chinook helicopter with C-Hill in the background Saturday at Mills Park in Carson City.
  • Charles McAlexander, wife Kristen and daughter Clara at the celebration. Charles served six years infantry in Afghanistan.
    Charles McAlexander, wife Kristen and daughter Clara at the celebration. Charles served six years infantry in Afghanistan.
  • Vicki St. Clair and son Daniel of Minden at the celebration Saturday at Mills Park.
    Vicki St. Clair and son Daniel of Minden at the celebration Saturday at Mills Park.
  • Pat Hennessy and Don Muscott of Carson City view an exhibit.
    Pat Hennessy and Don Muscott of Carson City view an exhibit.
  • Russ Wyant of Reno looks at a model swift boat. Wyant served in both the Navy and Marines.
    Russ Wyant of Reno looks at a model swift boat. Wyant served in both the Navy and Marines.
  • Vietnam Veteran Don Bemis with a model PCF-80 swift boat, a replica of the one he was on during the war.
    Vietnam Veteran Don Bemis with a model PCF-80 swift boat, a replica of the one he was on during the war.
  • Carson City Vietnam veteran Wyman Sargent served in the U.S. Navy.
    Carson City Vietnam veteran Wyman Sargent served in the U.S. Navy.
  • Big John Konvicka with Honor Flight Nevada and Frank Reynolds, president of Carson Area Chapter 388 Vietnam Veterans of America.
    Big John Konvicka with Honor Flight Nevada and Frank Reynolds, president of Carson Area Chapter 388 Vietnam Veterans of America.

Today, Saturday, is Vietnam Veterans Day in Carson City. The Carson Area Chapter 388 Vietnam Veterans of America is hosting the Vietnam Veterans Day “Welcome Home” celebration all day today at Mills Park. All veterans and the community are invited to come out to the park, view some of the exhibits, war-era vehicles, helicopters and equipment used during the war. Festivities and fellowship continue through 5:30 p.m.

The event celebrates those served and came home and remembers Brothers and Sisters who served but never made it home. Veterans from all branches of the military spent time Saturday catching up with others, bringing their families and grandchildren. Others stood by, walking through the exhibits, picking up some of the history of the region, viewing maps and remembering where they were when they were there.

The event features assorted helicopters, war-era vehicles such as PC 113, M-35 2-1/2 M715 Jeep, WWII Jeep, mutt, mule, Humvee and others. There’s also weaponry exhibits, Vietnam War memorabilia and photo exhibits. There’s even several classic cars on display.

Also on hand was Nevada Honor Flight in support of today’s event. Honor Flight spokesman “Big” John Konvicka noted there are plans underway to raise money through the Carson Area Chapter 388 Vietnam Veterans of America and other chapters in the state to do Honor Flights for Vietnam Veterans in the future. Thus far, Honor Flight has taken more than 400 WWII era veterans to Washington, D.C.
About a third of the money needed for Nevada Honor Flights for Vietnam veterans has been raised, he said.

Taking a tour at Mills Park with his family today, Charles McAlexander, a six-year U.S. Army Airborne infantryman in Afghanistan, said it is important for the everyone to remember our Vietnam Veterans.

“We have this opportunity today here, right now to come and see this. Just having this opportunity today is the reason to come out and say thank you,” he said, noting his grandfather served in Vietnam and his father served countryside.

“It was an unpopular war but just because it was doesn’t mean that we don’t remember the men and women who were there and to say welcome home and thank you,” he said.

Following the festivities at Mills Park, there will be a no host bar, appetizers and good cheer at the Carson Nugget, 507 North Carson Street, from 6 to 9 p.m.