Advisory Council named for "Welcome Home... America's Tribute to Vietnam Veterans"
02/22/2005
Operation Homecoming USA has named an Advisory Council for the planning and execution of "Welcome Home... America's Tribute To Vietnam Veterans." The weeklong event to be held this June has the specific mission of providing Vietnam Veterans the national homecoming they never received.
General Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is serving as Liaison to the Advisory Council of Operation Homecoming USA for the Department of Defense. An Air Force command pilot with more than 4,100 flying hours, Gen. Myers is past Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command. He became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in 2001. The individual members of the Advisory Council include:
H. Ross Perot, Navy veteran, founder of Electronic Data Systems, noted philanthropist and activist for veterans' causes. Mr. Perot sits on the Board of Directors of Operation Homecoming USA.
James H. Amos, Jr., Marine Corps veteran of two combat tours in Vietnam, Chairman Emeritus of MBE-UPS Stores, and a national leader in the franchising industry. Amos also serves as Chairman of the Board for Operation Homecoming USA.
Gerard Arpey, Chairman, President and CEO of AMR, leads a global organization that includes American Airlines, the largest airline in the world, serving more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories.
Brigadier General Robert F. McDermott, USAF, Retired, a World War II combat pilot now recognized as the "Father of Modern Military Education," is Chairman Emeritus, USAA. He grew the company assets from $206 million to $31 billion during his service at USAA.
Rear Admiral Patrick D. Moneymaker, USN Retired. A decorated Navy Top Gun flier who logged a career total of over 3,000 flight hours, Admiral Moneymaker is former commander of the Blue Angels and served as Commander of Naval Space Command since 1997.
General Hugh Shelton, US Army, Retired. A former Commander of MacDill Air Force Base and Commander-in-Chief of United States Special Operations, General Shelton also served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Kenneth D. Walker, President and CEO of Meineke Car Care Centers. His leadership has made Meineke one of America's most successful franchise corporations.
Welcome Home...America's Tribute To Vietnam Veterans will be held June 13-19, 2005 in Branson, Missouri. The weeklong celebration will include demonstrations and displays, golf and fishing tournaments, the Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall Experience, a Homecoming Parade honoring Vietnam Veterans, and an outdoor Grand Finale Celebration which will include more than 15 aircraft from the Vietnam era.
Confirmed performers for the Saturday Grand Finale Celebration include the Beach Boys, the Fifth Dimension, Creedance Clearwater Revisited, the Doobie Brothers, the Supremes with Mary Wilson, the Four Tops, and the Oak Ridge Boys. Tony Orlando, Les Brown's Band of Renown with Les Brown, Jr., Ann-Margret, Adrian Cronauer (the original "Good Morning Vietnam!" DJ), and many other celebrities will be making special guest appearances as well as noted Branson entertainers. The Grand Finale Celebration will be held on a scenic 100-acre mountaintop at Saddlebrooke, 10 miles north of Branson on Highway 65.
