WATERDOG
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Don't Bother Me, I'm in Havi
 
MENIFEE, CA
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Posted: Mar. 26 2010,3:05 pm |
Post # 1 |
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Sen. John McCain coming to Havasu
Congressman visiting for Vietnam Vets Day
By NATHAN BRUTTELL
Today's News-Herald
Published Thursday, March 25, 2010 10:13 PM MST
Vietnam veterans may not have received a proper welcome home in 1973, but Mohave County officials are continuing the tradition of honoring them with the third annual Vietnam Veterans Day Monday.
Bullhead City Mayor Jack Hakim first formed the idea for Vietnam Veterans Day three years ago and the event has continued in Mohave County since, Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen said. For the third year, Nexsen said he wanted the event to be special.
The first name on Nexsen’s list? U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
“Every year, we try to do something for Vietnam Veterans here and we wanted something a little different,†Nexsen said. “So I said, ‘Who better than Sen. McCain, who spent five years in a POW camp in Vietnam?’â€
Nexsen said he believes it’s important Vietnam veterans receive the special recognition as they were “not properly honored†37 years ago.
“Because when they came home back in 1973, the war was somewhat controversial and they never received a proper welcome home,†Nexsen said. “So we want to make sure they know that they did their job and make sure they know we want to welcome them home ... and we’re glad they did what they did and we’re proud of them.â€
The program, which is set to honor Vietnam veterans with a special picnic, plaque dedication and several special guest speakers, opens at 3:30 p.m. Monday at London Bridge Beach. The picnic will include a barbecue, drinks and a beer garden, organizers said. Veterans and children eat free, while meals will be $5 for others. Proceeds for the event go to support local veterans’ organizations.
“We’re bringing all veterans together for the picnic, so they can see each other again, trade stories and because we wanted to show our appreciation as much as possible,†Nexsen said. “We did everything we could to find a way to raise enough money for veterans to enjoy their meal for free.â€
Nexsen, his wife Eileen, Councilwoman Margaret Nyberg and Tracy Jones worked for weeks to feature McCain as the keynote speaker for the event, Lake Havasu Hospitality Association Executive Director Greg Tryon said.
“A lot of people have helped with the entire event but those four deserve special recognition for what they’ve been able to do,†Tryon said. “This event is going to be huge now thanks to them and we’re very excited.â€
Nyberg said she sees Vietnam Veterans Day as a “very special event in Havasu.â€
“There are a lot of people in town who are my age and have friends or brothers or fathers who went through that and we remember how they were treated,†Nyberg said. “This is a way to make up for it and show how much they were appreciated in at least some small way.â€
In addition to being the keynote speaker, McCain is also scheduled to host a town hall meeting prior to the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Monday in City Council chambers in the police facility.
“We’ve been told (by McCain’s staff) that he will spend 10 minutes speaking but really wants to hear from residents of Havasu of what is on their minds,†Nexsen said. “So he’s going to answer questions for the remaining hour. It is truly a town hall meeting. He’s not here to campaign, he’s coming to hear from people in Havasu.â€
McCain is also expected to meet with the three mayors of Mohave County, Jack Hakim (Bullhead City), Nexsen (Lake Havasu City) and John Salem (Kingman) following the town hall meeting. McCain will then speak with representatives with Mohave County GOP before being escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders to London Bridge Beach around 5 p.m. Monday. McCain is also set to dedicate a plaque honoring Lake Havasu City Vietnam veterans killed in action.
State Treasurer Dean Martin, County Supervisor Buster Johnson, R-District 3, state Sen. Ron Gould, R-Havasu, and state Rep. Doris Goodale, R-Kingman, are among several special guests also set to make appearances Monday.
“I think it’s great that so many responded and I think we should have everybody in town there to honor our veterans,†Nyberg, who assists McCain in local veterans’ affairs, said. “I think the number of responses shows how important this is to the others who are coming.â€
“I’m absolutely excited,†Nexsen said. “This is the third year in which all three cities have declared March 29 Vietnam Veterans Day and I hope this one will be something special that people won’t forget.â€
"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR
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