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"Texans Serving Texas"

 

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE:

Vietnam War Re-enactments Help Texans Remember the True Spirit of Memorial Day Starting Saturday, Ending Sunday 

AUSTIN, Texas – Close Assault 1968 will kick off on Saturday, May 25, 2019 and conclude Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Camp Mabry, in Austin, Texas, to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans and focus on the history of the U.S. Armed Force during the Vietnam War. Show times are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days. The 45,000 square-foot Texas Military Forces Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekend and on Memorial Day as well. Both the program and admission to the museum are free.

The free program features members of the Texas Military Forces Living History Detachment exhibiting the uniforms and equipment worn by the American Soldiers in Vietnam, as well as those of their opponents. In addition, the two-day event will provide visitors the opportunity to witness firing demonstrations of the most famous U.S. and enemy small arms of the Vietnam conflict, among them the M16 and M14 rifles, the M60 machine gun and the M79 grenade launcher.  Those attending will also get to see everything from radio equipment to claymore mines, including operational vehicles such as an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, M151 jeep and a variety of other vehicles. Each show will culminate in a reenactment of a combat scenario typical of the war in 1968.

Although the Texas Army and Air National Guard were not mobilized for Vietnam, many individual Guardsmen volunteered for duty there and many Vietnam veterans became Guardsmen after the war. 

Close Assault 1968 will honor that service as well as the service of all the men and women who fought in Southeast Asia in the 1960s and 1970s.  

Spectators are encouraged to photograph and film the event.  A food truck and souvenirs and concessions will be on hand.  Plenty of bleacher seating is available, but come prepared for the weather.   The event takes place rain or shine. Camp Mabry is open to the public; vehicle operators need to show a valid driver’s license to come on post.
    
For detailed driving directions or more information please visit the museum’s web site at https://tmd.texas.gov/museum or call 512-782-5659. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. Adults must show a photo ID to enter Camp Mabry.
 

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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 Texas Military Department (formerly the Adjutant General's Department), the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), the Texas Air National Guard (TXANG), the Texas State Guard (TXSG).

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