Those are the words many Vietnam War veterans didn’t hear when they arrived stateside in the 1960s and 1970s following tours of duty.
But they’re hearing it now, and they’ll hear it loud and clear from 5-8 p.m. May 15 at a free, family friendly “Country Rock Welcome Home” concert at the Nasson Community Center.
The folks at the Sanford Vet Center knew they wanted to celebrate Vietnam veterans, but they weren’t sure how.
“We talked about what to do,” said Kelly Perry, a Vet Center counselor. “So we asked the vets what they wanted, and they said music would be cool.”
Cool indeed.
Kelly works weekly with a group of Vietnam veterans.
“We started talking about different songs, Armed Forces Radio Network, and they were all smiles,” said Kelly. “There was happiness around the room.”
There was talk about The Moody Blues, The Doobie Brothers, Joe Cocker, Country Joe and the Fish, Donovan, and other musical acts of the Vietnam era.
So Perry got in touch with Shawn Theriault of Scarborough, frontman for the Portland-based country- rock band American Ride, and they put their heads together. What resulted was the planned three-hour concert, which will feature Whiskey Mike and Friends, Uke N Smile and American Ride.
Theriault said Perry messaged him online to find out what it would cost to hire his band for a concert.
“I said, ‘For the veterans, nothing,’” said Theriault, noting that his father, uncles and other family members served in the military. His father, former Mexico police chief James Theriault, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.
Now, he said, he’s getting to give back.
“If they didn’t do what they did, we wouldn’t be doing what we do,” he said.
Theriault said he’ll play all the favorites, and include some songs by Toby Keith, one of his favorite country singers known for recognizing veterans at shows.
Veterans will get a chance to win a guitar and lessons along with other goodies, including framed prints by New Hampshire artist Harry Lichtman and items from Seacoast Harley- Davidson.
The Nasson Community Center can accommodate 500 people, so organizers are hoping for a big crowd for the alcohol-free event.
“It’s free and for veterans, families and kids, with music for everyone,” said Perry.
And, of course, there will be that special “welcome home.”
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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