Rod Wittmier is quite familiar with how Vietnam War veterans were treated when they set foot back on American soil.

"We know they were not welcomed home ever," said Wittmier, founder and executive director of VetsMeetVets.

Wittmier also knows there is a large contingency of Vietnam vets in the South Sound that want to make sure servicemembers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan don't get the same treatment when they return home.

It's exactly the reason Wittmier created VetsMeetVets, which works to connect recent veterans with more seasoned veterans and the services of their local area.

VetsMeetVets has teamed up with Heroes to Hometowns and the Tacoma Rainiers to host Operation Welcome Home night Sept. 2 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.

Veterans and active duty, reserve or National Guard servicemembers - as well as citizens in the community - are invited to come out for a celebratory tailgate party and informational fair.

The tailgate party starts at 2 p.m. and will feature food, entertainment and a host of organizations looking to connect with veterans.

"I wanted to do something that creates community," Wittmier said.

From local colleges and technical schools to brain injury support teams and post-traumatic stress disorder groups, many organizations will be on hand to talk to veterans and try to answer questions and connect them with services they need, Wittmier said.

The Operation Welcome Home pre-game ceremony runs from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The game starts at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a fireworks presentation.

For more information and or to purchase tickets, visit www.vetsmeetvets.org.