FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A three-day sold-out tribute brought hundreds together in Fort Walton Beach to honor Vietnam veterans on the 50th anniversary of the conflict’s end.
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, called Honoring Our Heroes: Welcome Home, drawing more than 440 attendees in a celebration of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
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More than 100 Vietnam veterans took part in the tribute, many wearing their hats, jackets, and pins with pride. The event included panel discussions, historical presentations, book signings, and a commemorative banquet described by organizers as “deeply personal and long overdue.”
Held April 28–30, the event began with Stories of Service – A Reflection on Vietnam at the Air Force Armament Museum. Over two evenings, attendees heard firsthand accounts from veterans and lined up for autographs afterward.
“The Vietnam veterans have become—and deservedly so—rock stars,” said Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce President Ted Corcoran.
“To see that level of admiration and respect being exchanged between veterans was truly heartwarming.”
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On April 30, the Heroes’ Tribute Banquet took place at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds + Event Center. It featured keynote speaker Rocky Bleier, a four-time Super Bowl champion and Vietnam veteran, as well as Col. Ed Hubbard and military film consultant Dale Dye.
Mr Corcoran said the most emotional part of the night wasn’t just the powerful stories, but the sense of unity and reverence in the room.
“This event was much more than just a tribute—it was a celebration of a generation that deserves to be called The Greatest Generation,” he said.
“Tom Brokaw’s book The Greatest Generation was written about WWII veterans in 1998. Twenty-seven years later, it’s time we recognize that our Vietnam vets have stepped into that same legacy.”
Corcoran also brought his grandchildren to the event.
“Our Chamber—our community—loves our military,” he said.
“I wanted them to witness history firsthand and understand the importance of honoring those who served.”
Thanks to generous sponsors, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce was able to provide financial assistance to ensure that every local veteran who wanted to attend could do so.
Event organizers say video highlights and recordings from the panels will be available soon at FWBchamber.org.
