In The News 31 March 2015

Support Our Troops, Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute Committee preparing for May 27-31 tribute

By
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By Steph Roland
President
Support Our Troops of Highland County

Support Our Troops of Highland County and the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute (VVTT) Committee are seeking family members of the Highland County Fallen Heroes from the Vietnam War.

There are currently 16 families who have been identified thus far, though several are credited by the Department of Defense as being residents of other counties, due to their listed “home of record” at time of their enlistment.

The VVTT Committee is welcoming these Gold Star Families to be able and share photos, memories and personal items of their loved ones with our community during this special Veterans Tribute Event.

The Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute, “The Wall,” is an 80-percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. It is 360 feet long with an 8-foot apex. This tribute holds a significant meaning in that 2015 marks not only the 50th anniversary that the United States officially entered the war in Vietnam, but also the 40th anniversary of its end.

Support Our Troops Of Highland County is presenting the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute, “The Wall,” at Liberty Park in Hillsboro, May 27-31. The year 2014 marked the 10th anniversary of SOTOHC, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and as a way to give back to the community and veterans who have helped support them all these years, they felt that this would be a fitting way to say “thank you.”

This wall honors those 58,300 (current number of names of The Wall) men and women who gave their lives during the Vietnam War and those who served and suffered the effects of the war. During Mother’s Day weekend this May, an additional seven names will be added to this memorial. And two weeks after, there will be an opportunity right here at home to say, “Welcome Home,” to those who faithfully served their country during this war.

Gold Star Family members who would like to share their loved ones’ history with our community through a short story and photograph may contact The Highland County Press at 937-840-9490 or email Rory Ryan at: roryeryan@gmail.com.

Local families identified thus far include:

In Their Honor...

PFC. DAVID L. McCONNAUGHEY
U.S. Army, Hillsboro

SPC4. STEPHEN L. COLOPY
U.S. Army, Danville

1LT. CHARLES R. LOVEDAHL
U.S. Army, Lynchburg

SPC4. JOHN R. CROUSE
U.S. Army, Hillsboro

PFC. DAVID L. CAREY
U.S. Army, Danville

PFC. MARK L. HOOK
U.S. Army, Hillsboro

CAPT. CAREY F. MCAFEE
U.S. Army, Hillsboro

PFC. NEIL J. MORRIS
U.S. Army, Greenfield

SPC4. WILLIAM E. BROWN
U.S. Army, Hillsboro

PO1. OLLIE J. GROSS
U.S. Navy, Hillsboro

SPC4. DANIEL E. FECK
U.S. Army, Fairfax

SPC4. DONALD W. PRIEST, Jr.
U.S. Army, Leesburg

PFC. JAMES S. BRISTER
U.S. Army, Fairview

CORP. JAMES H. WAULK, Jr.
U.S. Army, Greenfield

SGT. DANIEL R. HIVELY
U.S. Army, Danville

SPC4. CHARLES R. VEST
U.S. Army, Lynchburg

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