LAYTON, Utah -- A parade held in Layton Saturday served as a welcome home event for Vietnam War veterans decades after the conflict ended.
Soldiers both past and present marched through town during the parade, and event organizers said it was more than a thank you to those who served, it was also a fundraiser.
The city wants to build an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and house it in Layton Commons Park.
Mayor Bob Stevenson calls it an effort that reflects Utah’s patriotism, and he said he hopes the memorial will allow those on the West Coast more opportunity to pay their respects to veterans of the Vietnam War.
"We're going to put here in the Layton Commons Park a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall that's in Washington D.C.," he said.
Stevenson said they anticipated as many as 15,000 veterans would participate in the festivities Saturday. He also said the community is grateful to have Hill Air Force Base nearby for the economic benefit it brings to town.
