Duke Wheeler, Mark Peddicord and Haraz Ghanbari, the co-chairs for the long overdue Welcome Home Celebration for Vietnam Era veterans, are hosting a press conference at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 17 at International Park to release details about the event and encourage area veterans to participate in the activities.

“We need to reach as many Vietnam Era Veterans as possible — those who served in Vietnam as well as those who served in other capacities,” said Ghanbari, The University of Toledo’s military and media liaison. “We want to recognize and honor the service of the men and women who answered their nation’s call.”

The five-day event will begin Wednesday, June 5, when the Traveling Vietnam Wall arrives in Toledo, followed by an opening ceremony at UT’s Savage Arena Wednesday evening. Other events will be announced on April 17.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:

•  Approximately 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam.
•  America’s involvement in Vietnam lasted from 1957 until 1975.
•  Between 1965 and 1969, US troop strength rose from 60,000 to more than 543,000 in country.
•  The last US ground troops left Vietnam in March 1973.

For more information regarding the Vietnam Era Veterans Welcome Home Celebration, please visit www.toledoveteransevent.com.