09/02/2026
“WELCOME HOME VETERANS”
BENCH DEDICATION
“Welcome Home Viet Nam Veterans Day” is a day that has been celebrated since March 29th of each year. This Viet Nam Veterans Day was declared by President Richard Nixon in 1974. March 29th coincides with the one year anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Vietnam on March 29th, 1973. This day was declared in order to recognize and give thanks to all who served during the Viet Nam War. Those that returned home were met by ugly protests, scorn and neglect. This day reminds us to heal the Veterans wounds and allows us to give respect, admiration, and thanks to those patriotic men and women who sacrificed so much.
Our Auxiliary wanted to go one step further and honor and give thanks to all Veterans who have answered the call to serve our country and protect our freedoms for the United States of America. God Bless You All, and Thank You for Your Service. “Welcome Home to All Veterans”. Thank you all that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Laramie Peak VFW Auxiliary #3558 started working on a project to honor our Veterans two years ago. Initially we wanted to have a bronze statue made, but those are quite expensive, and we just didn’t have the funds available to us. So, last year when a group of community members wanted to build a rose/flower garden in the old play/water park in the middle of Lewis Park, our Auxiliary decided to help/participate in this project. We came up with the idea of having a “Welcome Home Veterans” bench designed and built. We reached out to various companies/welders to help us with this project.
I reached out to one of our Auxiliary members who has connections with artists that do this sort of work. After some discussion, the member’s husband’s company offered to design and build the bench for us to be placed at Lewis Park. We collaborated on the design and size of the bench. Russell’s Welding, LLC & K C Metal Works, LLC helped design and then build the bench and donated all of the materials and labor for our project to become a reality.
The “Welcome Home Veterans” bench is located on the east side of Lewis Park among some trees and surrounded by some rose bushes. The bench was set and anchored with the help of Town of Wheatland employees. Without the huge donation of the bench, town employees, and auxiliary members help, this project would not have been possible.
“Welcome Home Veterans” Bench Dedication will be held on Friday, September 11th, 2026 at 5:30 pm. Following the dedication, will be a 9/11 Reception to honor our Veterans, First Responders to include law enforcement, medical personnel & fire department personnel. Light refreshments will be served following the Reception.
This ceremony is open to the public, and we encourage you to come and see the new addition to Lewis Park as well as thank our Veterans and Emergency Personnel for their sacrifices.