2012 VIETNAM VETERANS HOMECOMING

Posted on by
Reply

 

 

 
CONCORD, NC – Despite a drizzly Saturday morning in Concord, over 62,500 came out to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2012 Vietnam Veterans Homecoming, sponsored by the USO, North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The daylong tribute to the vets – more than 216,000 of them North Carolinians, including some 1,600 of the 58,000 who died – is not only a long-overdue recognition of their service, it is also a day to provide them the assistance and help they’ve long needed.

The Yellow Swarm brought out our yellows (and the sun!), accompanied by the “War Wagon.” The War Wagon is James and Diana’s motorcycle trailer, wrapped in photos of veterans from several wars. James and Calvin are veterans of Desert Storm. It is an honor to have them and their wives as part of the Yellow Swarm!

Even though we began our day at 7 AM and did not leave until 4:30 PM, the time flew by. All day we had veterans and families come by to talk to us and swap war stories. Many veterans said that it was “better late than never” when asked if it took too long for them to have a proper homecoming from the Vietnam War.

On Thursday, President Barack Obama declared March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. Charlotte’s celebration is one of several happening across the country in conjunction with this year’s anniversary of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Vietnam.

For more photos of the celebration on the in-field (which we missed), here are some links:
WRAL’s Photo Gallery http://www.wral.com/news/local/image_gallery/10930527/
Charlotte Observer http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/31/3141175/vietnam-veterans-homecoming-celebration.html

SWARM TO SWARM DERBY

Posted on by
Reply

 

The event is held at the Del Mar Fair Grounds. Doors open at 6 PM. The bout starts at 7 PM. The evening ends around 9 PM.

It is time to dust off the YELLOWS and gather up for a event that I bet no one has on their resume. The Yellow Swarm has had many gatherings…drives on the coast, to the desert, to the mountains, to the drive in movies, even to golf courses….and we have gathered to park and look at each others Yellows and show them off to others and displayed them at the county Fair…we have been in parades….we have even done a scavenger hunt and Bingo.

Now we have an opportunity for a brand new experience in San Diego. We just learned that there is a sports team named THE SWARM and they wear YELLOW uniforms! The Derby Dolls, a women’s roller derby team, has welcomed us to their first of the season bouts on Saturday, January 28th 2012. They are giving us discounts, trying to organize parking and saving spots so we can all sit together.

PARKING
Parking is $9, but the Derby Dolls are trying to get us free parking passes. We will have a raffle to see who get the passes.

DINNER
4:30 PM at Chevy’s in Flower Hill Shopping Center
Directions: Interstate 5 to Via De La Valle east….shopping center on the left

This will certainly be a fun experience. I understand The Swarm has a big following in San Diego. Whether you join us for dinner or not, DO join us at the Roller Derby!! We will make quite the Yellow sight!

And by all means wear lots of YELLOW!!!!!

Nanz