Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans & War Dogs - 2026 Remembrance: “Looking Forward!”
Welcome to Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral Leroy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum
Saturday, March 28, 2026 - 8:00 AM
Program
Welcome | Lt. Col. Paul Wheat, U.S. Army (Ret.) |
March on Colors | Durant High School U.S. Air Force JROTC Color Guard |
National Anthem | Sidney Brannon, Plant City High School |
Pledge of Allegiance | Lynn Mattingly, U.S. Navy Seabees (Ret.) |
Invocation | Ted Marshall, U.S. Air Force Vietnam K9 Handler |
Remarks | Commissioner Gwen Myers |
War Dog Salute | Staff Sgt. Dale Sammons |
Keynote Speaker | Col. Darryl “DJ” Reyes, U.S. Army (Ret.) |
Missing Man Tribute | James Hawkins, U.S. Air Force (Retired) |
Rifle Salute & Taps | Sgt. Walter P. Ryan Marine Corps League |
Vietnam War Era Veterans (Pinning) Recognition | Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 787 |
Closing Remarks | 1st Sgt. Frank Strom, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) |
Please join us for refreshments after the ceremony
War Dog Salute
Staff Sgt. Dale E. Sammons Jr.
Staff Sgt. Dale E. Sammons Jr. is the Trainer Supervisor for the 6th Security Forces Squadron, MacDill AFB, Florida. He is responsible for training the Military Working Dog Teams. In conjunction with the Kennel Master, he establishes an effective training and evaluation program for the military working dogs and their handlers.
Staff Sgt. Sammons grew up in Tyler, Texas, and enlisted in the Air Force in 2016. He has deployed numerous times to the Middle Eastern region and Southwest Asia to help thwart terrorism. His military awards and decorations include the Air and Space Commendation Medal with Combat device, Air and Space Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with “R” device, Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, and many others. He is also the proud dad and “supervisor” of a retired military working dog.
Keynote Speaker
Col. Darryl “DJ” Reyes
Deputy Executive Director, Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Darryl “DJ” Reyes was born in Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii, the son of a 26-year Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran. Col. Reyes was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1979 and served over 33 years of faithful service to our great nation. Earning his bachelors, masters, and juris doctor degrees from the University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Naval War College, and Temple University School of Law, his career included key command and primary staff positions in military intelligence and special operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti, and Korea.
Colonel Reyes was appointed as Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) on Nov. 7, 2025. FDVA serves as the state’s premier point of entry for services, benefits, and support to the nation’s second largest veteran population.
A national advocate for Veterans rights and services involving Veterans in the criminal justice system (Veterans Treatment Court), Veteran housing, and Veteran health care, Col. Reyes also currently serves on several local – state – federal Veterans advisory committees, including several U.S. Congressmen and the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. He and his wife are the proud parents of triplets.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed each year on March 29 in remembrance of the war that officially ended in 1975. Ceremonies and gatherings around our nation recognize the valor and sacrifice of military families and Veterans of the Vietnam era, many of whom were shunned upon their return from duty. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration stipulates that no distinction of honor shall be made between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve, and none could self-determine where they would serve.
Please take a moment to visit the Vietnam War Memorial at Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park, featuring a special war dog memorial and prolific showcase of famous U.S. Army helicopters: the American Bell UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra. The park and its many memorials are free and open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special thanks
- American Legion Post 148
- Empath Health
- Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
- Miss Vietnam Tampa Bay
- Republic of South Vietnam Tampa Bay
- Veterans Community Services and park rangers
- Veterans Council of Hillsborough County
- Vietnamese Community of Tampa Bay
- Volunteers from Brandon High School JROTC, Veterans Treatment Court
Following today’s ceremony, join us at the park pavilion near the museum to enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine plus American hot dogs and cake.
The Veterans Council
The Vietnam Veterans of America/Chapter 787 welcomes new members and meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 10 AM inside the Veterans Resource Center on the grounds of Veterans Memorial Park. The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. welcomes new members during their meetings on the last Monday of each month inside the Veterans Resource Center. For information, call (813) 635-8316. Your support of our Veterans and Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park is appreciated!