Ex-soldiers and community members in general are invited to a celebration of veterans of all conflicts this weekend in Tooele.
Dennis Tracey, post commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Tooele County, said the event, scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Tooele, is a continuation of the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
That event was declared by the U.S. Senate in March 2011, but now has been expanded to include all veterans.
“I didn’t feel right about it because it was just Vietnam vets who were honored,” said Tracey, who served in the Vietnam War. “We were talking about it, and we decided, we’re all veterans, we’re all in the same family, so let’s go ahead and make it a celebration for all of us.”
The free event will begin at noon Saturday with a few brief speeches, after which live music, hot dogs, hamburgers and cotton candy will be provided, courtesy of local donors. The celebration will continue until 5 p.m.
Although it is geared towards veterans, Tracey said he hopes it is celebrated as a community event by people of all ages and walks of life.
“We hope to have grandparents bring their children, so they can talk to veterans — just an overall community event,” said Tracey. “Come by, say hello to folks.”