City will recognize 'Welcome Home Vietnam Vets' Day

By Kelvin Portillo, Correspondent

The Menifee City Council will hold an event on Wednesday, March 30 to honor all Menifee residents who served in the Vietnam War.

In California, “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” was enacted into law to be held on March 30 as a day to commemorate the men and women who fought in Vietnam but were not given the proper welcome home more than 40 years ago.

The City of Menifee has an array of resources and the support from Menifee veteran organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), to commemorate all veterans alike. In fact, numerous established programs like the “Buy-A-Brick Program” and the “Military Banner Program” have shown the community as one that recognizes veterans in Menifee.

“I thought that what an appropriate way to allow our residents here [in Menifee] that are Vietnam veterans the chance to be welcomed home in the way, in a manner they deserve,” said Mayor Pro Tem Dean Deines, who first suggested the idea to City Council.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better idea for a city function,” said council member Bob Karwin after commending Deines on bringing forth the idea for the event.

The logistics of the event are currently in review by City Council; however, they have proposed elements that may incorporate handing out challenge coins to Menifee Vietnam veterans, certificates, and possibly having a keynote speaker.