Fort McCoy will once again hold its annual Armed Forces Day Open House at the installation’s historic Commemorative Area this Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The patriotic, family friendly event is free and open to the public.
A special event planned for this year is a Vietnam-era veterans recognition ceremony that starts at 9:30 a.m. The event, which is part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, is one effort to thank and honor those veterans who served during the Vietnam, whether in theater or on the homefront and to let them know their service mattered and made a difference.
The installation’s Commemorative Area will serve as the hub of activity for this event and will showcase the History Center, five World War II-era buildings, Equipment Park and Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Planned activities include guided installation bus tours, a sandbag-filling station, personalized ID tags, and much more. Fort McCoy staff and units, as well as military-connected organizations from surrounding communities, set up displays to explain what they do and how they help the armed forces.
Fort McCoy was founded in 1909 and has served all branches of the U.S. military ever since. Fort McCoy has supported military members in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the war on terrorism. Veterans Memorial Plaza in the Commemorative Area stands as tribute to the military members who have served and trained at Fort McCoy during those times, as well as those who fought and died in the conflicts.
Guests must enter the installation through Gate 20 off Highway 21 between Sparta and Tomah, Wis. Signs on Highway 21 direct vehicles to the open house. Adults must be prepared to present photo identification and proof of insurance. Parking is free.
For more information about the event visit us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/FtMcCoy