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Baird to join other Vietnam vets for 'The Gathering' at Indy
State Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle), a decorated Vietnam veteran himself, will join members of the 523rd Transportation Corps for a reunion of Vietnam transportation veterans Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 7-8 in Indianapolis.
Known as "The Gathering," the event will include photo opportunities with five gun truck replicas outside the west entrance of the Statehouse (9 a.m. Wednesday), Indiana War Memorial (11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday) as well as on Thursday at the Indiana State Fair.
At the state fairgrounds on Thursday, the gun trucks will be part of the State Fair's Veterans Day Parade beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, there will be a Statehouse tour and remarks by members of the 523rd who last year were the first group ever to be inducted in the Transportation Corps Hall of Fame.
The unit was singled out for its members' tremendous heroism, incredible sacrifice and the crucial role they played in the success of Operation Lam Son 719 during the Vietnam Conflict.
According to the website Wikipedia, Operation Lam Son was a limited-objective offensive campaign conducted in southeastern portion of Laos by the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) between Feb. 8 and March 25, 1971.
The U.S. provided logistical, aerial and artillery support to the operation, but its ground forces were prohibited by law from entering Laotian territory. The objective of the campaign was disruption of a possible future offensive by the People's Army of Vietnam, whose logistical system within Laos was known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
All Indianapolis events of "The Gathering" are open to the public, and opportunities will be available to speak with members of the 523rd regarding their experiences as well as Rep. Baird addressing Indiana's newest laws benefiting veterans.
"I look forward to reuniting with those who served in Vietnam, many of whom drove from all over the country to meet for the 11th Gathering," District 44 State Rep. Baird said. "I encourage everyone, not just veterans, to join us for these events.
"These gatherings are not just for the members of the Transportation Corps," he added, "but to inform the public of the many accounts of personal heroism displayed overseas, honoring and remembering the countless heroes who served, continue to serve or who selflessly gave their lives so more people might know freedom."
As part of its 70th anniversary celebration last August, the U.S. Army Transportation Corps enshrined the light truck unit in which Baird served in the Transportation Corps Hall of Fame at the Fort Lee, N.J., Lee Club.
Rep. Baird represents all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.