Vietnam veterans from the 137th Engineer Company were welcomed home in Junction City on Saturday. They were in Junction City for a reunion.

The group toured the Milford Lake Dam and then received a Sheriff’s Department and combat veterans motorcycle association escort into Junction City to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel where they were greeted by friends, family, and community leaders.

Mayor Mick McCallister told the veterans we are proud of them. “Lessons learned in Vietnam and more importantly lessons learned throughout the United States for when you came home is the reason why we gather at events like this because you did not get the welcome home that you deserved. ” McCallister said he was proud to be in their prescence.

Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald and Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett also welcomed the veterans during the ceremony.

A member of the unit, Gary Farris, said the 137th Engineers were formed early in the summer of 1966 and left for Vietnam in May of 1967. They were stationed at Fort Riley for about 10 months.

This unit helped with the project to build the Milford Lake dam. Farris stated, “Before we left to go to Vietnam we were an engineer unit, and we instrumental in starting the project with the Corps of Engineers. ”

“We did a lot of surveying. We had earth movers, scrapers, dozers. They all worked on the dam hauling in rock, hauling in dirt, landfill, getting the beaches ready for the boats. The unit worked on the dam for about six months until they left for Vietnam. Ferris added members departed for Vietnam and no one in the unit saw the dam until they had a reunion in 2006.

The welcome home Saturday was a surprise event. Upon arriving at the Courtyard by Marriott, Farris noted he cried. “And I know half the guys, or all the guys on the bus cried.”

The welcome home ceremony was the idea of Farris’ granddaughter Kimberly Archer. Farris said he knew something was up but she wouldn’t tell him. Once a sheriff’s department patrol car arrived with lights flashing, he stated he then knew what was occurring. Then the motorcycle group met the unit as they headed toward Junction City. “I was just at awe, it was just beautiful.

Upon their arrival the soldiers were greeted by a Junction City fire truck displaying a huge American flag, and others waving smaller flags.

The flags were provided by Jim Clark Chevrolet Cadillac.

UPDATE:

At approximately 9 p.m. Saturday Salute was cancelled for the remainder of the evening due to the rain. Sundown Salute  will resume as scheduled on Sunday.

The performance by Thunderhead – A Tribute to Rush, did not occur due to the cancellation Saturday night.

Prior to the rain the coordinator for Sundown Salute, Sharon Glessner, estimated there were about 2,000 people in attendance in the Heritage Park area in downtown Junction City.

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As of 8:25 p.m. Saturday the Sundown Salute activities were continuing in downtown Junction City, despite the rain that was received.

Police Chief Dan Breci confirmed the crowd numbers dwindled after the rain began and the vendor’s tents were down. But food was still being served in the food court, and the Ottaway Amusements carnival continued to operate.  The concerts are progressing.

A relatively cool evening greeted festival goers at Sundown Salute in downtown Junction City Friday evening.

Police Chief Dan Breci estimated the turnout at approximately 4,000 people for the activities. That include a country music performance by the Phil Vandel Band, Motown, Funk and Soul by the Funk Syndicate, and a performance by Boogie Wonderland.

Breci said late Friday evening the crowd was fantastic, everyone was behaving and having a good time. He praised the performing groups. “I think the groups are great. They’re really fantastic. I ‘ve been saying for the last three hours I thought this place would be packed tonight just because the weather is so nice.”

Vendor Coordinator Sam Niemcyzk noted there are 12 food vendors and more than 25 craft vendors selling items ranging from toy and clothing to chain metal outfits. “They’ve actually got a Wonder Woman chain metal outfit over there. That looks really neat.”The number of craft vendors is a big increase from a year ago.The food vendors range from those selling funnel cake to chicken on a stick.

Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald enjoyed seeing all the people up in front of the audience during the concerts that were dancing. On her favorite activity, Fitzgerald said, “My favorite thing to do down here is to walk around, visit with people I know, meet new people, enjoy the music and just really try to have a good time down here.”

Sundown Salute is scheduled to continue Saturday beginning with a car show from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Activities in Heritage Park will range from the All Star Stunt Dogs Challenge at 11 a.m. to Keith Leff the magician at 1:15 and 3 p.m.

The Saturday evening concert lineup includes Battle of the Bands at 5:30 p.m. followed by Goddesses of Rock at 7 p.m. and Thunderhead – A Tribute to Rush at 9 p.m.