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"Texans Serving Texas"

 

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE:

Vietnam War-Close Assault 1968 Remembers the True Meaning of Memorial Day

AUSTIN, Texas (May 27, 2021)- Close Assault 1968 at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, will begin on Saturday, May 29th, and conclude Sunday, May 30th. The event will commemorate Memorial Day and honor the service and sacrifice of America’s Vietnam veterans, including those members of the Texas Army and Air National Guards who volunteered for service in Southeast Asia and the many Vietnam veterans who joined the Texas Guard afterward. 

The free program which is beginning its 14th season after a year-long hiatus due to COVID, is extremely popular with all age groups.  It will feature members of the Texas Military Forces Living History Detachment exhibiting the uniforms and equipment worn by the American Troops in Vietnam and those of their North Vietnamese and Viet Cong opponents.  Visitors will see everything from radios, grenade launchers, and machine guns to operational vehicles, such as an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, M106 Mortar Carrier, M151 Jeeps, and more.  

The two-day event will also allow visitors to witness firing demonstrations of the most famous U.S. and enemy small arms used during the Vietnam War. Among the weapons demonstrated are the M16 Rifle, AK47 and SKS Rifles, M60 Machine Gun, M79 Grenade Launcher, Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) rocket launcher, Claymore Mine, and many more. In addition, at the end of each hour and 15-minute program, the re-enactors will recreate a typical small unit battle in the jungles of Southeast Asia, using small arms and automatic weapons and armored personnel carriers, and simulated artillery fire. 

Visitors are encouraged and welcome to take pictures or videos of the event. Food vendors and souvenirs will be on hand.  Plenty of bleacher seating is available, but guests should come prepared for the sun or rain.   Camp Mabry is open to the public; adults need merely show a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license, passport, etc., to come on post. Masks and social distancing are encouraged but not required. 

The Brig. Gen. John C.L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum will be open to the public throughout the weekend, including on Memorial Day, with docents standing by to teach what it was like to fight or serve during war times.  Visitors will also hear stories of today’s Soldiers and Airmen fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and assisting fellow Texans in need during hurricanes, wildfires, floods, snowstorms, and pandemics.   

For detailed driving directions or more information, please visit the museum’s website at www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org or call 512-782-5770.  The museum will be open on Monday, May 31st, in honor of Memorial Day in addition to its regular hours Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free.
 

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The mission of the Texas Military Department (TMD) is to provide the Governor and the President with ready and trained forces in support of the citizens of Texas and State and Federal civil/military authorities at home and abroad.

The Texas Military Department is commanded by the Adjutant General of Texas, the state's senior military official appointed by the governor, and is comprised of the Office of State Administration (formerly the Office of the Executive Director), the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), the Texas Air National Guard (TXANG) and the Texas State Guard (TXSG).

For more information about the Texas Military Department visit our Website at https://tmd.texas.gov.