A long awaited welcome home for veterans of the Vietnam war. Many veterans were not greeted with much fanfare.
In fact, many returned home to angry protesters and treated like they were the enemy.
Edward Fowler served in Vietnam and Desert Storm, he spent more than 20 years in the army.
"When I first come back from Vietnam a 12-year old girl threw feces at me- I couldn't ride a cab I had to put my uniform in the trunk, this was a long time coming."
The special event has been in the works for months- event organizers originally expected about 600 soldiers and their families.
It turned out to be much bigger. Nearly 2,000 soldiers signed up-- Fort Campbell officials added two more ceremonies as attendance soared, so that no soldier would be turned away.
The event had an Evansville connection- David Jones a life-long resident said his wife came up with the idea to honor Vietnam veterans.
Army spokesperson major Patrick Seber said he hopes the event will inspire other units and posts will follow this example and hold similar ceremonies across the country.