NORTHWOOD, Iowa — The annual picnic at Swensrud Park for Vietnam veterans returns this year with a traveling museum.

The 11th annual Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day in Northwood will feature a Decorah, Iowa-based mobile museum that shares the Vietnam War history of the Mobile Riverine Force and the 9th Infantry Division.

The picnic is at 1 p.m. June 10. It will reflect on 50 years of history since the Vietnam War. The picnic is open to all Vietnam veterans and their guests. Attendees are welcome to bring appetizers, salads, fruits, side dishes or desserts to share. Lawn chairs are good to bring, too.

The picnic, hosted by Chapter 790 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, will have grilled burgers, brats and loose-meat sandwiches. There will be a raffle for patriotic items, fundraiser items and for flags.

Jerry and Linda Parmley organize the event and can be reached at 641-293-5131.

The traveling museum is a 48-foot fifth-wheel trailer. The Mobile Riverine Force was a joint effort between the Navy and Army to patrol the Mekong Delta. Its members came to be called Riverines. The delta was a venue for river-based combat not seen by American forces since the U.S. Civil War.