The City of Beaumont honored Texas Vietnam veterans and celebrated the 25^th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 292 with a smashingly successful “Welcome Home Brother” weekend September 21-22 benefitting the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument.   The event raised close to $70,000 to build the monument, far exceeding organizers’ goals.   With the Historical Commission’s matching grant, Beaumont’s “Welcome Home Brother” weekend netted the monument a fantastic $140,000+ in donations!

• Kerwin Stone

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  VVA Chapter 292 President Kerwin Stone opening remarks at the Veterans Reception.

• Duke Sundt

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  It's time to sign an autograph.

• Artist Reception

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  Attendees at the artist reception.

• Presentation of the Colors

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  U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard present the colors at the Heroes Dinner.

• Mayor Becky Ames

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  Beaumont Mayor Becky Ames delivers her remarks at the Heroes Dinner.

• Heroes Dinner

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  Attendees at the Heroes Dinner.

• Robert Floyd

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  TCVVM Chairman Robert Floyd delivers his remarks at the Heroes Dinner.

• Presentation From TCVVM

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  Robert Floyd presents Mayor Ames with U.S. Flag and certificate. The flag was flown over our nations Capitol.

• Duke Sundt

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  TCVVM artist/sculptor Duke Sundt delivers his remarks during the Heroes Dinner.

• Texas Vietnam Veterans

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  Texas Vietnam veterans honored at the Heroes Dinner.

• Texas Vietnam Veterans

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  Texas Vietnam veterans honored at the Heroes Dinner.

• Robert Floyd

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  TCVVM Chairman Robert Floyd attending the artist reception.

• TCVVM Committee Members

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  TCVVM Committee members John Miterko, Terry B. Burkett, and Don Dorsey.

• Duke's Dancin'

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  Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument artist/sculptor Duke Sundt cuttin' a rug.

• Buddy Farina

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  VVA Chapter 685 Galveston member Buddy Farina conducts POW/MIA Table Ceremony.

• Texas Vietnam Veterans

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  Texas Vietnam veterans present and honored at the Veterans Reception.

• Texas Vietnam Veterans

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  Attendees at the Veterans Reception.

• Robert Floyd

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  Robert Floyd Chairman of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument delivering his remarks during the Veterans reception.

• Reading of the Names

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  Answering the roll call of southeast Texas Vietnam veterans KIA in Vietnam.

• POW/MIA Car

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  POW/MIA car owned by veteran Doug Porter.

• POW/MIA Car

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  Under the hood. What great detail!

• POW/MIA Car

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  And don't forget the trunk.

• All Veterans Memorial - Beaumont

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  VVA Chapter 292 stand with the All Veterans Memorial erected by the chapter.

• VVA Chapter 292 Celebrates 25th Anniversary

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  Some of the crowd at the anniversary ceremony.

• A Gift From Beaumont

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  Robert Floyd accepts a check for the money raised during Beaumont's Welcome Home Brother weekend.

Beaumont Mayor Becky Ames and VVA Chapter 292 President Kerwin Stone, joined by many volunteers and sponsors, brought this unforgettable event to life.

The weekend kicked off with a veterans’ reception Friday at the new Beaumont Events Center, hosted by Kerwin Stone and VVA Chapter 292.  In honor of our Texas heroes, Buddy Farina of VVA Chapter 685 (Galveston) conducted a POW/MIA Table Ceremony, followed by the Associate members of VVA Chapter 292 Remembrance and Roll Call of the names of Southeast Texas Vietnam veterans who made the supreme sacrifice in Vietnam.

Saturday morning rolled out with a ceremony commemorating the 25th Anniversary of VVA Chapter 292 at the All Veterans Memorial erected by the chapter in Beaumont.  Afterwards, veterans and patriots saddled up for a motorcycle tour of other veteran memorials in the city.  The afternoon ended with music, grub and good times at the Cowboy Harley-Davidson dealership.

An evening reception at the Art Museum of Beaumont preceded Saturday night’s Heroes Dinner.  Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument artist/sculptor Duke Sundt shared his vision and creation with guests, and Texas Vietnam veterans participated in a tribute procession with the monument maquette.

On behalf of all Texas Vietnam veterans who did and will benefit from Beaumont’s tremendous “Welcome Home Brother” weekend, a heartfelt thank you salute to the committee volunteers who Welcomed Our Brothers Home –

Mayor Becky Ames
Kerwin Stone
Barbara Otto
Sandra Womack
Robin Troy
Mike Marcellus
Carol Gary
A.J. Brian
Dee Lane
Patrick Anderson
Sheree Pierce
Doug Porter
Carol Wilson