Gilchrist's eighth annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration is a day to honor and thank the men and women in our community who served during the Vietnam War. Gilchrist is a nationally recognized nonprofit that provides care and support for people with serious illness through the end of life, through elder medical care, counseling and support, and hospice care. Many of the people we care for at Gilchrist are veterans, and many of them served during the Vietnam era.

One of the most painful chapters in our nation's history was the treatment of our Vietnam veterans and Vietnam-era veterans when they returned home. Gilchrist is committed to making things right and giving a long overdue and joyous welcome home to Vietnam veterans everywhere. On March 22, 2026 we will come together as a grateful community to honor, thank and celebrate the veterans in our care as well as all of the veterans who served during the Vietnam War and their loved ones. This celebration is one of the many ways Gilchrist recognizes the unique needs of these veterans and thanks them for their sacrifice and service to our country.

We are grateful to the Michael Stanley Foundation as this year's Presenting Sponsor.   


Event Details:

11:00am - 12:30pm:  Resource Fair
11:30am Ballroom Doors open   
12:30pm - 1:30pm: Buffet Lunch
1:30pm - 3:00pm: Program

Registration closes March 15, 2026

Questions? Please contact Kim McDonnell at [email protected]. If you experience problems with the registration form, please ensure you are using an updated web browser.

*By attending this event, you grant Gilchrist permission to use any video or photographs taken for publicity or promotion of any program or service provided by the organization. Please note that publicity or promotional use may extend beyond the originally intended purpose and does not expire on any particular date.


Ceremony Hosts: Senator/Colonel John C. Astle, UMC (Ret.) and Colonel George Forrest, USA (Ret.)

Key Note Speaker:  Vietnam War hero Karl Marlantes USMC, recipient of the Navy Cross, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts.
The bestselling author of Matterhorn and What It Is Like to Go to War, he will share unforgettable stories of courage, sacrifice and resilience.  


Thank you to the members of Gilchrist's
We Honor Veterans Task Force

Paul Sullivan, USMC
Chair, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration
Mike Lachance, USA
Vice-Chair, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration



GILCHRIST

  • Barbara Ahr
  • Denis Ahr, USN
  • Lance Bendann, USN
  • Sherman Canapp, USAF
  • Jim Dasinger, USA
  • Art Grau, USA
  • Dean Henderson, USN
  • Linda Henderson
  • William Hill, USA
  • Hubbard, Torrance, USA
  • Al Hunt, USAF
  • John Jeppi, USN
  • Ken Knutson, USCG
  • Mike Lachance, USA
  • Jenny Murray
  • Donnell Nelson, USA
  • Ed Nolley, USA
  • Billy Pulket, USA
  • Tim Price, USA
  • Tom Purdy, USA
  • Tim Ruland, USA
  • Paul Sullivan, USMC
  • Rick Sullivan, USMC
  • Rick Uhlig, USN
  • Virgil Wright, USMC

HOSPICE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY & FRANKLIN HOSPICE

  • Barry Kerstetter, USN
  • Laura Marfut, USA
  • Ryan Miner, USA
  • Thomas Mooningham, USN
  • Robert Myers, USN
  • Susan Pape USN
  • Bill Ruland, USN
  • Cliff Schramm, USN

Donate Now

Help Veterans today with a donation to Gilchrist.

Your gift supports Gilchrist's We Honor Veterans program, which thanks veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service to our country.

Hosted By

Gilchrist Hospice Care
[email protected]

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