BRANSON, Mo. -- A tribute to Vietnam veterans planned for next month has gained a billionaire backer and nationally known event planners, with President Bush and troops in Iraq making appearances via satellites.

"Welcome Home: America's Tribute to Vietnam Veterans" is scheduled for June 13 to 19 to mark the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

Veterans Steve Presley and Gary Linderer starting planning the event months ago, saying a salute to Vietnam veterans is a long overdue welcome-home celebration they never received.

"This is 30 years beyond when it should have been, but it's never too late. I hope this begins the healing for Vietnam vets," Linderer said.

The event will wrap up with an all-day air show and concert that will include a live feed from President Bush and troops in Iraq. The concert 10 miles north of Branson will include performances by the Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, the Doobie Brothers, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, the Four Tops, the Oak Ridge Boys and Tony Orlando.

The air show lineup will have an A-10 fly over and Blackhawk helicopters and possibly other military planes such as a B-52, depending on military needs, planners said.

Linderer traveled to Texas to ask billionaire Ross Perot for financial support. Perot donated a substantial amount to the tribute, Linderer said, and will attend the event.

Perot suggested the help of large event planner Fred Ashman, who brought in HOK Sport+Venue+Event, which has designed NFL Super Bowl events since 1983. Major League Baseball also will honor Vietnam veterans during the seventh-inning stretch of every game that week.

Other events in Branson during the week including a parade, golf and fishing tournaments, military keynote speakers, military equipment displays and the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall.

Former U.S. Air Force DJ Adrian Cronauer will also deliver the signature greeting that he sent to troops daily in Vietnam: "Gooood morning, Vietnam!"

Planners originally predicted 100,000 Vietnam veterans would attend, but Ashman said the expected number is unknown. So far, about 10,000 have registered for the concert.

"This is a one-shot deal in Branson," Ashman said. "And we want to do it right."

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On the Net:

http://www.operationhomecomingusa.com

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com