100,000 People expected to attend Melbourne Vietnam Veterans Reunion

Vietnam reunion. Tessa Dejong who goes to Bishop Moore High School in Orlando traces a name for a school project. They have to research a person that is on the wall.

Brevard's Vietnam vets tribute grows
Event now largest reunion in U.S.
BY R. NORMAN MOODY • FLORIDA TODAY • April 24, 2009
What started as an idea among a small group of Vietnam veterans for a reunion became what was considered a "super turnout" when about 3,000 people showed up in 1988.

As Florida's 22nd Annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion continues its run this week at Wickham Park, it has evolved and has grown into what is billed as the largest veterans' reunion in the nation.

"We just did it as a 'welcome home,' " said Ken Baker, who was among those who organized the first reunion in 1988. "We had no idea. We were happy with the turnout of 3,000 people."

Veterans estimate that, by the time the weeklong events surrounding the reunion and the display of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall ends Sunday, it will have attracted up to 100,000 people.

Baker said a member of at-the-time newly formed Vietnam Veterans of Brevard, went to a reunion in Kokomo, Ind., which then was the largest in the nation, and came back with the idea for a reunion in Brevard County.
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Brevard's Vietnam vets tribute grows
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