By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Nam to Sand Jam promises to be a fantastic evening on Sept 20 to commemorate the ending of the Vietnam War, 50 years ago. Vietnam veterans and those who served during the subsequent Sand Zone, global war on terrorism conflicts are invited to attend for free; tickets for non-veterans are $20. The tickets can be secured in advance through www.heislertheater.com. All veterans are invited to attend.
The Nam to Sand Jam event is being hosted at the Tudor House in Arrowhead Villas from 4 to 10 p.m. The concert music will be provided by local songstress Shannon Bizzy and her noteworthy band. Two of the performers from the Blue Jay Jazz Festival will also be performing that evening.
Brandon Brown will be the speaker representing the war on terror, with keynote speaker local veteran Richard Jellerson, who was a Vietnam Army helicopter pilot. Also speaking will be Ken Cooper, the postmaster from the Crestline post office, who is coordinating Crestline’s Zip Code Day on 9-23-25, just a couple days later.
Each veteran who attends the celebration will receive a 50th anniversary pin, honoring the end of the Vietnam War. The war has had many milestones, since 2015, which was the 50h anniversary of the beginning of the war (which began in March 1965) and each year has had a celebration; however, this commemoration will be the last, since it thankfully recognizes the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. This war shaped so many lives and this honoring of those veterans who served is being brought together for them. It is hoped all local veterans do attend.
The Nam Jam was begun in 1988 by Dave Croteau in Tucson, Ariz., with the intention to bring together Vietnam vets for a healing reconciliation while they enjoyed time together. These get-togethers have focused on getting vets transitional housing to reduce the number of vets who were homeless in the area which has turned out, over the years, to be a very successful campaign. The Nam Jam I in Tucson grew and was such a successful endeavor for Vietnam vets that the organizers added Sand Jam for those veterans who had been involved in the global war on terrorism, in Iraq.
This Nam to Sand Jam was inspired by that event and is being coordinated by Michael Brewer, who was involved in the Tucson Nam Jams. One day, while walking around Lake Gregory, the inspiration came to him to give our local vets a similar concert and event. He received permission to use the name and concept and has combined both eras of veteran groups to honor all those local Rim Vets and hopes that all will attend.
“Here we are 50 years later, aging out together, with the last national commemoration of the Vietnam incursion. It was ended 50 years ago and we are the last men standing who intimately remember that conflict,” said Brewer.
“We are fortunate that the Tudor House has embraced this and is hosting this event. They will be handing the responsibility of providing the food and beverage menus of Nam to Sand Jam,” Brewer added.
Parking is available at the Tudor House, at Rim High School and two local highway turnouts with shuttle service by several services, including the Noonie Bus and other local drive services. “There will be more detailed information on that forthcoming at the website and at www.heislertheater.com,” added Brewer.
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