'Welcome Home' for Vietnam Veterans

GREEN BAY - Vietnam era war veterans from Wisconsin number 57,000.

More than 12 hundred did not return from their tour of duty.

Those who did, say it was not easy.

"I just steered clear of everybody and tried to stay out of fights because everybody wanted to start something with a Vietnam vet," said Rick Erck of Greenville.

"It was a rather austere experience. Nobody seemed to like me, even my own family didn't want to talk about what went on," John Honaker of Green Bay said.

Next May, at Lambeau Field, Vietnam veterans who never felt welcomed home, will finally receive a "thank you" some say is long overdue.

"An event that will properly welcome home Wisconsin's Vietnam veterans," said Ken Black, Acting Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

The state-wide effort is called LZ Lambeau. LZ meaning the "landing zone"--a place of safety for Vietnam vets. Organizers shared details Wednesday.

"This will be an opportunity for us to reconnect with others who fought in Vietnam, and to be able to talk freely about it for the first time with fellow veterans, family and friends," said Event Director and Vietnam veteran Don Jones.

Many Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans have already told their story to the cameras - for a new documentary on the Vietnam War.

Wisconsin Public Television--a partner in the LZ Lambeau event--is producing it.

"It's their words, it's the war shown entirely through the first hand accounts of the people who were there," said Producer Mik Derks.

Derks says it was the stories those veterans told that sparked the beginnings of LZ Lambeau.

"It just seemed it was time for there to be a way to use this project as a catalyst to give them the welcome home they never got," Derks said.

Organizers hope the welcome home event will help heal emotional wounds.

And it's welcomed by veterans... Even if it's several decades late.

"It's late, but I don't think it's too late, it's never too late to say thank you to someone who fought for your freedom," said Erck.

LZ Lambeau runs May 21st through the 23rd.

The event will be free and open to the public.

However, tickets are required for a Sunday celebration inside Lambeau Field.