EVENT SCHEDULE

OUTDOOR ACTIVITES

Warriors Watch Riders Procession and Display

A coalition of troop support organizations procession to the event and motorcycle display.

Military Vehicles & Gear Display

A Military Vehicle Club in McAllen will have a display of jeeps and other wheeled vehicles from the Vietnam era, including some from World War II and Korea which were still in use during the Vietnam War. The display will also include some weapons, gear and photographs. The drivers will be dressed in uniform and will answer questions about the vehicles and weapons. The weapons are NOT loaded and are locked in a way they can be seen and still kept safe. 

Map of South Vietnam

Large map that highlights the many locations our troops served during the Vietnam War.

Open 8:00AM - 6:00PM
The Healing Wall and Education Center - Replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

A half-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a traveling museum Education Center. Visitors can experience the impact of seeing the more than 58,000 whose lives were lost. On display Thursday, April 7 through Saturday, April 9.

8:00AM - 11:30AM
Veterans War Memorial

The memorial, located just east of the McAllen Convention Center, will be open to the public, culminating with the dedication of 2,100 names of the 3,400 Texas soldiers killed in action during the Vietnam War.

INDOOR ACTIVITES

12:30PM - 5:00PM
LZ Memories, Rm. 101 A - Memorabilia Room

Proclamations, photographs, documents, disabled weapons, and other memorabilia brought by those who attend the event. (No bombs or ammunition - even disarmed.)

1:00PM
Department of Veteran Affairs, Rm. 101, LZ: Hue

Director Jeff Milligan and Public Affairs Officer Froylan Garza.
A PowerPoint presentation on the benefits and services offered by Department of Veteran Affairs.

Remembering our Veterans, Rm. 102, LZ: Chu Lai

Lt. Col. Frank Plummer, McAllen & Terry B. Burkett, Austin. Presentations on the Veterans Memorial in McAllen and Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument Project.

Women in the Military, Rm. 103, LZ: Da Nang

Minerva Garcia, Lori Coffman and Ms. Villarreal. Women's health benefits, PTSD and Rehabilitation.

1:30PM - 3:00PM
Pat & Lyndon - The Play, Exhibit Hall

Patricio Castaneda was born in Weslaco Texas and was only 20 years old when he died in Vietnam. Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th president of the United States of America, during one of the hardest times in America’s History. More than 300,000 U.S. troops were at war. This is the story of leadership, courage, sorrow, controversies & family. This two-act play is presented by the Pharr Literacy Project & Cultural Arts Center and Elva Michal, written by Archer Crosley and directed by Pedro Garcia.

2:00PM
The American Legion, Rm. 101, LZ: Hue

District 15 Commander George Solis leads a panel of District 15 Post Commanders discussing veteran’s community issues, services and upcoming events.

Writings from the Front Lines, Rm. 102, LZ: Chu Lai

Poet and Writer Filiberto "Beto" Conde author of "America Down by the River" This former Army infantryman was the only Hispanic and only representative from South Texas selected to perform at the 20th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Disabled Veterans of America, Rm. 103, LZ: Da Nang

John Najera, Commander of the Raul F. Lopez DAV Chapter 95 and Frank Garza, information about the organization, benefits and free services offered.

3:00PM
Vietnam Veterans of America & Catholic War Veterans, Rm. 101, LZ: Hue

Leo Hinojosa and Rey Molano, discussion about the organizations, services, and upcoming events.

Department of Veteran Affairs, Rm. 102, LZ: Chu Lai

VA Director Jeff Milligan and Public Affairs Officer Froylan Garza. A PowerPoint presentation on the benefits and services offered by Department of Veteran Affairs.

Brothers in Arms, Rm. 103, LZ: Da Nang

Retired Edinburg teacher Fernando Alvarez will present a short clip of the movie about he and his two brothers and discuss the events leading up to it. Brothers in Arms is a film currently in production about the three South Texas brothers all serving in Vietnam in at the same time.

3:30PM - 4:30PM
The Veterans Band of Corpus Christi, Exhibit Hall

A group from the Corpus Christi area perform.

4:00PM
Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Land Board, American Military Support, and County Veteran Services Officers Panel, Rm. 101, LZ: Hue

Hidalgo County Veterans Services Director Emilio De Los Santos, Texas Land Board Outreach Marketing Specialist Carlos Martinez, and American Military Support co-chairs Emma P. Alvarado and Lupita Martinez discuss services and benefits provided to South Texas veterans and a care package program.

Women in the Military, Rm. 102, LZ: Chu Lai

Minerva Garcia, Lori Coffman and Ms. Villarreal. Women's health benefits, PTSD and Rehabilitation.

6PM - 9PM
LZ:RGV Operation Welcome Home Tribute, Exhibit Hall

Ret. Lt. General Ricardo S. Sanchez leads a welcome home salute with U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, Under Secretary Veterans Affairs Dr. Robert Petzel, Texas State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, State Representatives Veronica Gonzalez and Sergio Muñoz Jr., Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia, Hidalgo County Commissioner Joseph Palacios, McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, Edinburg Mayor Richard Garcia, American Legion Edinburg Post 408 Commanders Gus Garcia Sr. and Manuel Cantu, American Legion District Commander George Solis and Veterans of Foreign Wars District Commander Arnold Garza. Also H-E-B Veteran Hero Videos, special tributes to our KIA/MIA/POW warriors, and live music of the Vietnam War era by the LZ:RGV All-Star Band with guest performances by Paulino Bernal, Freddie Martinez, Sunny Ozuna, Carlos Guzman and Robert Pulido, with a video tribute from Bobby Pulido.