Saturday, March 29, will be a busy day in downtown Atmore, as several events are scheduled to celebrate veterans and veterans’ groups.

In late February, the city of Atmore issued a proclamation, declaring March 29 as “Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day.” Members of the Atmore Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary explained that the idea behind the day is to celebrate Vietnam War veterans, who often did not receive a positive welcome when they initially returned home in the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s.

The day will include a “welcome home ceremony,” starting at 4 p.m. at Heritage Park. Scheduled speakers include State Commander Val Obergon of the Alabama VFW and State Rep. Alan Baker. All are invited and welcome to attend.

The Atmore VFW Post 7016 Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring the ceremony.

Also on March 29, the third annual VFW Post 7016 Car and Truck Car Show will be held. The show will be two blocks north of U.S. Highway 31, behind Atmore Truckers Association.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m., and the entry fee is $20.

The opening ceremonies will be at 10 a.m., with Atmore Mayor Jim Staff scheduled to read the proclamation declaring the day as Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day.

There will be trophies for first through third place, as well as a Commander’s Choice award and dash plaques for the first 25 entries.
There will be food, fun, and a Bloodmobile on site for those who wish to donate blood.

For more information on the car show, call Larry Houck at (850) 261-1048. For more information on the welcome home ceremony, call Ginger Stabler at (251) 294-2356 or Jenny Hutto at (251) 363-0000.