Vietnam veterans gather in Carson

Vietnam veterans from around Nevada will attend their seventh annual banquet in Carson City Saturday.

Vietnam Veterans of America members Tom Baker and Ray Frederick said the banquet raises money to help veterans and their families.

"We named it Reflections after the popular picture of a man placing his hand on The Wall (the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.) appearing to reach through and touch the veterans on the other side," Baker said.

"This is not about reliving the Vietnam War," Baker said. "It's about helping vets and their families as well as honoring vets."

As part of their fund-raising the veterans raised $5,000 for the veterans' home in Southern Nevada.

"The banquet is open to the community and anyone who appreciates the work veterans have put in the community," Baker said. "We're bringing veterans' organizations together and honoring veterans of all wars."

Of the 250 to 300 people expected at the dinner, about a tenth come from Las Vegas, Frederick said.

The Veterans Administration Hospital in Reno and Rep. Jim Gibbons will be honored on Saturday.

Past honorees have included Sen. Richard Bryan, Sen. Harry Reid, Rep. Barbara Vucanovich and many state officials.

"This is our way of saying, 'thank you' to them," Baker said.

"The money goes to support a bunch of veterans' projects," Baker said.

Among the beneficiaries are the Reno-Sparks Indigent Veterans, $1,200 to Friends in Service Helping for indigent veterans.

The organizations also gives out two $500 scholarships to veterans and their children.

"We've also given money to veterans who needed to relocate because they've lost a job," Baker said. "A number of those vets have reimbursed us."

Bagpiper Rick James will play for the veterans.

"When I first came to town, I saw a notice in the Appeal for the dinner and I've been going ever since," Frederick said.

The banquet serves as a mini-reunion for Frederick and Baker, who were in the same battalion in Vietnam in 1968.

However, the two men didn't meet until a battalion reunion several years later, before Frederick moved to Carson City.

What: Vietnam Veterans Banquet

Where: Carson Nugget upstairs

When: Saturday, cocktails begin at 6 p.m., dinner is at 7 p.m.

Cost: $25 per person, $45 per couple

For tickets or information: Call 841-7163 or 885-9111