WHEATLAND – Veterans met with the Governor Mark Gordon and leaders of the Wyoming Military Department and Veterans Commission this weekend in Wheatland for the last stop for the day during the governor’s Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home tour around the state.
Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter, adjutant general of the Wyoming Military Department, summarized the purpose of the ceremony. “Just last month, on April 19, we marked the 250th anniversary of the ‘shot heard around the world’ at the battle of Lexington and Concord, where the Revolution effectively began. That was the start of a long history of Americans going to war.
“Over that time, America’s done a pretty good job of bringing its soldiers and sailors home –with two exceptions: the Korean War and Vietnam War. The Korean War was on the heels of WWII, and people weren’t sure of our purpose there. When our soldiers and servicemen came back, they came back to nothing – an apathetic return.
“Our Vietnam veterans faced a far different return; they probably wished for an apathetic return. They faced derision, sarcasm, and hate in some cases – certainly disrespect for some folks…

“The purpose of these Welcome Home ceremonies is to take a moment to pause and recommit that we will never let that happen again as a nation,” Maj. Gen. Porter said.
He added, it is as a direct result of the dedication and service of those WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans the U.S. has the military it does today. “That’s a legacy you and your families have made [through] those sacrifices... I have the utmost respect for those who have returned…Bless those who have served this great nation.”
Governor Mark Gordon shared his deep respect and appreciation for all former and present servicemen who “are willing to serve and protect their country and nurture its freedom.”
“I say from the bottom of my heart, God bless you. This is a great country. If we are to remain a great country, we need to continue that service and remember what you have been able to accomplish… God bless you, God bless America, God bless Wyoming.”
The governor read an official proclamation declaring March 30, 2025 as Wyoming Veterans Welcome Home Day, encouraging citizens of the state of Wyoming to recognize members of the U.S. armed forces for their service and sacrifice, honoring them and showing them appreciation– not just for one day, but every day.
Wyoming Veterans Commission representatives Command Sgt. Maj. (ret) Ken Perssons, Sr. (chairman) and Col. (ret.) Tim Sheppard (director), and First Lady Jenny Gordon also took part in the welcome home ceremony.
At the conclusion of the speeches, the governor and his veteran delegation took time to greet each of the veterans and their families in attendance and coining them with his uniquely designed governor’s coin. First Lady Gordon shared her concern that there is an issue with food insecurity among Wyoming veterans, so through the Wyoming Food Initiative, she gifted each veteran a frozen steak, since they have a “stake” in the freedoms we all enjoy as citizens of the United States.