1st BMW Club Veteran Riders International Campout

Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Salute

Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Salute
Saturday, March 31st, 2012
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile, Alabama
Everyone is invited to participate in the Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Salute honoring Vietnam & Vietnam Era Veterans who live along the Gulf Coast. This community celebration provides a unique opportunity for community groups, faith- based groups, and local businesses to express their respect & appreciation for Vietnam Veterans. The event offers many ways for Vietnam Veterans to enjoy connecting with their fellow Veterans. Civilians are encouraged to participate by lining Government Street in downtown Mobile to cheer for the Rolling Thunder Honor Ride Parade. After the Honor Ride Parade, the community is invited to join the Vietnam Veterans and their families for the opening ceremony and special activities at Battleship Memorial Park. This free celebration will be held in the area just outside the museum.

VA Gulf Coast Home Page: http://www.biloxi.va.gov
Battleship website: *http://www.ussalabama.com/


Activities


Honor Ride Parade: At 10:00 a.m. the Honor Ride Parade kicks off the event. Rolling Thunder Alabama Chapter 1 has invited Motorcyclists from North West Fl, South MS and South AL to parade down Government Street through the Bankhead Tunnel and on to Battleship Memorial Park. They will be escorting a caravan of ÔÇ£Honor BusesÔÇØ transporting Vietnam & Vietnam Era Veterans from across the Gulf Coast to the event. Gold Star Mothers will also be in the parade.

Opening Ceremony: At 11:00 a.m. the Color Guard begins, followed by National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, Special Speakers, and Benediction.

Reunion Tents: Special Tents for each branch of service will offer memorabilia displays & Veteran reunion activities. Message boards will help attendees contact friends and share information on upcoming reunions.

Resource Tent: The Resource Tent will provide information on VA & Vet Center Services, VA Cemetery benefits, and programs of interest to Vietnam Veterans. Key community groups will also share information on Veteran friendly activities.

Family Tent: Staff from VAÔÇÖs Caregiver Support Program will provide information and special activities for families of Vietnam Veterans in the Family Tent.

Vendors: Food, beverage, and Veteran themed items will be available for purchase from vendors registered with the Battleship Foundation. *http://www.ussalabama.com/

Live Music: Local bands will play during the afternoon.

Parachute Drop: The Silver Wings Parachute Jump Team from Ft. Benning, GA.

Military Equipment Displays & Museum Tours: (Details coming soon)

Other Presentations: During the afternoon there will be a special Missing Man Ceremony Honoring POWs & MIAÔÇÖs, and a presentation on the Vet to Vet Peer Support Program.

Vietnam Veterans Receive free Museum Admission: Following the Opening Ceremony, Battleship Memorial Park will provide free museum admission to Vietnam and Vietnam era Veterans with wristband tickets. The museum includes special exhibits inside the aircraft hanger, the Battleship itself, Submarine USS Drum, and more. Admission fees are also waived for Active Duty Military. Many local Veteran Service Organizations have volunteered to help with distribution of wristband tickets. Vietnam Veterans can also contact the nearest Vet Center to obtain their free museum ticket. Here is a list of Gulf Coast Vet Centers:


Biloxi MS Vet Center (228) 388-9938
Mobile AL Vet Center (251) 478-5906
Pensacola FL Vet Center (850) 456-5886
Okaloosa County FL Vet Center (850) 651-1000
Bay County FL Vet Center (850) 522-6102

How to Help with the Event
Outreach: Download the event flyer and share it to encourage Vietnam and Vietnam Era Veterans to attend the celebration. Save the Date Flyer.

Cheering for the Honor Ride Parade: Civilians can help by recruiting community groups to line the parade route in downtown Mobile and cheer for the Veterans. The best viewing areas will be along Government Street between Virginia Street and the Bankhead Tunnel.

Honor Buses: Because of the number of Veterans expected to attend this event, parking is expected to be limited. Volunteers are needed to organize Honor Buses (similar to Honor Flights). The term ÔÇ£Honor BusÔÇØ refers to any vehicle transporting a group of four or more Vietnam & Vietnam Era Veterans to Battleship Park for the event (buses, vans, trucks, and cars). Sponsoring an Honor Bus provides an opportunity for community and faith-based groups to reach out to Vietnam Veterans who might not ordinarily participate in their group. Organizers may choose to arrange car pools, use church buses, or rent shuttle buses to bring Veterans to the event. More than just transportation, the Honor Bus provides camaraderie for Veterans en-route, and helps Veterans develop new friendships that can continue after the event. For bus availability or more information on bus sponsorship, check here*. You may also email Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at: al35cdr@davfrat.org

Volunteers: Many Veterans groups and community organizations across the Gulf Coast are seeking help with preparations for the event. Please contact your local Veteran Service Organizations to offer your assistance. In Mississippi you can also go online to the United Way of South MS Volunteer Center *www.unitedwaysm.org and click volunteer to learn more about ways you can serve at designated project sites. In Alabama contact Hands on South Alabama at *www.handsonsal.org.

Donations: Those wishing to make donations to support the event can contact VA Voluntary Service at (228) 523-5786 or the Battleship Foundation for details.

VA Donation Letter

Vietnam Vets Salute


Link to Our Site at: http://www.Biloxi.va.gov/Vietnam.asp



Honor Ride Parade
Registration: Registration for the Honor Ride Parade is free. Motorcycle riders must be Vietnam or Vietnam Era Veterans and can register by sending an email to Rolling Thunder Alabama Chapter 1, c/o Don Westwood at danson50@att.net. The email should include each ridersÔÇÖ name and cell phone, and if applicable, the name of the motorcycle association. To ensure adequate paved parking, motorcycle registration is open to the first 700 riders. Motorcycles should arrive by 8:30 a.m. at Ladd Peebles Stadium for form up. Honor Buses are invited to follow behind the Motorcycles in the Honor Ride Parade. Further instructions to will be sent to Honor Buses that have registered with the DAV.


Parade Route: The parade will leave Ladd Peebles at 10:00 a.m. using Michigan Avenue to reach Government Street, then through Bankhead Tunnel and on to USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park.



Vendor Information
The Battleship Foundation will offer a limited number of vendor spaces at the event for food and beverage Vendors, and for Vendors of military themed items. Approved Vendors will need to bring their own tents, chairs, tables, power source, etc. Food Vendors will need to have appropriate permits. Please contact Battleship Foundation directly for further details.



Media Inquiries
To schedule media interviews please contact Jerron Barnett, VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Public Affairs, at: Jerron.Barnett@va.gov. or by phone at (850) 912-2380.

Learn About Vietnam Veterans

Education Day Friday, March 30th: The Education Day is a "Pre-event" for students and educators along the Gulf Coast and will be held inside the museum between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Field Trips to this event will give younger generations the chance to meet Vietnam Veterans and learn about the Vietnam War. During this time Vietnam Veterans will hold 15 minute scripted presentations followed by Question and Answer sessions for the students. Presentations will be repeated throughout the day. Vietnam Veterans will also be available near military equipment and memorabilia displays to answer questions. Middle and High School students, as well as College & University Students are welcome to attend. For more information contact: Stuart Allgood, Mobile County Public Schools Television Network, Wallgood@mcpss.com, phone: (251) 221-4005


Educators Packet: *http://www.savc.net
Link to Virtual Wall: *http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm
Links to Similar Events:
Green Bay Wisconsin: *http://lzlambeau.org/
Fayetteville North Carolina: *http://www.heroeshomecoming.com/
Tulsa Oklahoma: *www.operationoklahoma.org

Event Sponsors
The Gulf Coast Vietnam Veterans Salute is hosted by the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System and Vet Centers in partnership with Battleship Memorial Park, the City of Mobile, local Veteran Service Organizations, community groups and businesses from across the Gulf Coast. A more detailed list acknowledging sponsors & donors will appear in the Veterans Resource Guide to be distributed at the event.

Alligator Alley

Alligator Alley
Start your guided adventure with a walk to the elevated viewing platform, where you can see over 450 alligators now from hatchlings to mature adults, relaxing, sunbathing, courting and nesting. Come during feeding times and you can see the feeding crew walk right out to the alligators to feed them! After a breath taking view, continue your adventure with a nature walk on the elevated boardwalk and see alligators in their natural habitat along with other natural inhabitants such as turtles, ospreys, owls and bull frogs only a couple feet away! www.gatoralleyfarm.com/ 19500 Hwy 71 Summerdale, Alabama 36580 (251) 946-2483
OPEN
Call for Hours
7 Days a Week

SEASONAL FEEDING TIMES
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m.
and 4:00 p.m.

PARK FEES
Adult $10.00 + tax
Child $8.00 + tax
Seniors (65+) $8.00

Summary: 24.7 miles (32 minutes)

Time Mile Instruction For Toward
9:00 AM 0.0 Depart Historic Blakeley State Park on SR-225 (South) 1.8 mi
9:02 AM 1.8 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-225 [Blakely Dr] 1.3 mi
9:04 AM 3.1 Bear RIGHT (West) onto US-31 [Spanish Fort Blvd] 0.2 mi
9:05 AM 3.3 Turn LEFT (South) onto US-90 [US-98] 1.0 mi
9:07 AM 4.2 Turn LEFT (East) onto Local road(s) 21 yds
9:07 AM 4.2 Keep STRAIGHT onto US-90 [SR-16] 0.3 mi
9:07 AM 4.5 Take Ramp (LEFT) onto I-10 8.5 mi I-10
9:16 AM 13.1 At exit 44, turn RIGHT onto Ramp 0.4 mi AL-59 / Loxley / Bay Minette
9:16 AM 13.4 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto SR-59 [Gulf Shores Pky] 1.5 mi AL-59 / Loxley / Gulf Shores-Beaches / Gulf State Park
9:18 AM 14.9 Keep STRAIGHT onto US-90 [SR-16] 5.3 mi
9:25 AM 20.2 Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-59 [Milwaukee St] 4.0 mi
9:31 AM 24.2 Turn LEFT (East) onto Couch Plant Rd 0.5 mi
9:32 AM 24.7 Arrive CR-71, Summerdale, AL 36580

Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter Annual Gumbo Cook-off

Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter Annual Gumbo Cook-off



Saturday, March 31, 2012

Location: Bienville Square, Mobile, Alabama
4th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off
Saturday, March 31, 2012
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Bienville Square
Divisions
ÔÇó Amateur (Any individual or company)
ÔÇó Professional (Restaurants, chefs, etc.)
Categories
ÔÇó Seafood
ÔÇó Chicken & Sausage
All teams are required to prepare and serve 10 gallons of gumbo.
$10.00 per ticket in advance, $12.00 per ticket at the gate. Tickets will be available prior to the event at the branches of an area banking institution.

Bring the Entire Family for Food, Fun and Entertainment!

1st BMW Club Veterans Riders Campout Overview

1st BMW Club Veterans Riders Campout Overview
On Friday the weather report did not look promising for those who were riding to the campout, rain was on the news report. For those individuals that were able to arrive on that day and braved the storms that flared up in the surrounding area, upon the arrival they were met by the friendly park staff of Historic Blakeley State Park who caused his own storms throughout the weekend for many of the park campers which led to many of conservations. That night the grill was on and all of the attendees that did not go to the local Bass Pro shop to eat dinner were served brats and hotdogs with plenty of beverages to wash them down with. While sitting around the evening campfire new friendships emerged by introducing themselves to each other and then they started planning the next day agenda. That evening we had rain throughout the night and some thought their dayÔÇÖs plans or events maybe cancelled because of the rain, but by 8:00 Saturday morning the clouds moved out and we had a beautiful 80 degree day to go sightseeing.
On Saturday most Veterans went down to the U.S. Alabama and attended the Vietnam Veteran Salute that was held for all those who served during the Vietnam conflict. While others went sightseeing tour on the Delta Explore and explored the Five River Delta, others went down to the causeway to eat seafood for lunch. Then later that day returned to explore civil war battle field that Blakeley State park is famous for. That evening, dinner was served and on the menu was pulled pork with beans with chips. There was plenty to eat and some even had second and thirds. After dinner everyone that wished to have door prizes had a chance to pick one that was either donated by the RA or the MOA. Later that night there was many of stories about their adventures, lasted well into the night around the campfire. There was also an after dinner treat that many adults did not have in many of years, sÔÇÖmores complements from my daughter Kelsey. Sunday morning many attendees had a quick pastry and soon they pack up their bikes and headed down the road.
All 30 individuals that did attend the 1st BMW Club Veterans Riders Campout had positive things to say about the campground, from the Park Rangers telling about civil war ghosts that haunted site 5 of the tent campground and the surrounding area. There was so much to do in Mobile and surrounding area, that it was imposable not to have a good time. I do want to say thank you to all that attended and travelled from as far away as North Carolina you are the ones that made this campout a success.