Welcome Home Ceremony an "historic event"

By SFC Pete Mayes
101st Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

FORT CAMPBELL, KY., August 16, 2009 - When Sergeant First Class Kim Bell returned to the U.S. after a lengthy tour to Afghanistan last February, he said the cheers he received from supporters at the airport left the self-described "tough guy feeling" a little misty-eyed.
It's those feelings that he wants to share with other military veterans - those from the Vietnam War era.
The Fort Campbell Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony is meant to do just that: give those heroes the welcome back they never received. More than 600 military veterans are anticipated to attend Sunday's event.
"We're finally honoring those who've not been recognized and paved the way for guys like me," SFC Bell said.
SFC Bell is doing more than just spouting words about honoring the veterans. He's the project manager for the event, which is being sponsored by the 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
His job is to work side-by-side with the 101st Airborne Division Association and set up both Hangar 3 (where the veterans will be marched in and honored) and Freedom Fighter Gymnasium for the free barbecue dinner.
He and his team have been working tirelessly for months on this endeavor. Various meetings, checking and re-checking all the resources needed for this event,and still maintaining his daily duties at the brigade.
Still, SFC Bell recognizes the significance of this day, particularly during the Army's "Year of the NCO" observation.
"This is the first time, to my knowledge, that we as a nation have done something like this for our Vietnam era veterans. It's an historic event, and I'm glad to have been apart of it."
The Welcome Home Ceremony is part of the Fort Campbell "Week of the Eagles" activities. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m., and the reception will follow at 6p.m.