'Unsung heroes for far too long:' National Vietnam War Veterans Day observed in Highland County

On the 50th anniversary of the day the final U.S. troops left Vietnam, Highland County recognized its “Fallen Sons” and its surviving veterans during a National Vietnam War Veterans Day observance Wednesday, March 29.

This year’s ceremony was held at the Hillsboro Eagles 1161 Aerie and at the Highland County Veterans Memorial.

The date “is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans,” the vietnamwar50th.com site says. “It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

“This national commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by the President to thank and honor our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.”

The previously announced guest speaker, William Graybill, was unable to attend due to personal matters, event organizer Gerold “Buzzard” Wilkin said.

After the Highland County Honor Guard posted the colors and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, Wilkin asked the Vietnam War veterans — of which there were at least 14 in attendance — to continue standing and be recognized.

Wilkin then led the crowd in a brief discussion of the Vietnam War, sharing facts and figures and saying that even after all this time, the number of individuals killed on both sides of the war is still not truly known. There are still many soldiers considered Missing in Action from the Vietnam War, Wilkin said.

“They listed 2,500 U.S. soldiers as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action, and 1,550 are still missing,” he said. “Approximately 1,200 were killed in our bodies was not recovered. They are considered Missing in Action. They have recovered and brought back to United States 700 that were on that list that were POWs or MIAs.”

Wilkin also spoke about the U.S. soldier officially listed as the first individual killed in the Vietnam War, Master Sergeant Chester Ovnand (1914-1959) of Minnesota; the last soldiers killed in action, Lieutenant Corporal Darwin Judge (1956-1975) of Iowa and Corporal Charles McMahon (1953-1975) of Massachusetts; and Colonel William Nolde (1929-1973) of Michigan, who was killed “11 hours before the ceasefire and removal” of U.S. troops in 1973.

After sharing those facts, Wilkin read from a presentation he said that Graybill helped him prepare, discussing the “lengthy and costly” war and its history, as well as the anti-war movement and efforts to recognize veterans in the decades that followed the conflict.

“On March 29, 1973, U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon officially withdrew the American combat forces from Vietnam,” Wilkin said. “A year later, the citizens of this nation held the first Vietnam Veterans Day. The Vietnam Veterans Day has been annually observed on March the 29th since the very first one in ’74. All the troops were then removed in 1975.

“It has since commemorated the hardships suffered, and the sacrifices made, by nine million U.S. American soldiers during and after that 19-year conflict.”

In 2012, then-President Barack Obama put the national observance “in place,” and then-president Donald Trump “officially made it a national observance day” in 2017, according to Wilkin. Since then, only 45 U.S. states and territories actually observe the holiday, he said.

“This day does not only honor the former soldiers, but also their families and friends who have supported them before and after this conflict,” Wilkin said. “This very day says it all.

“We must now, on this one day a year, honor all those troops that returned with both physical and mental lifestyles that no one should ever have to endure again. A special tribute for the families and friends of the deceased and those still living, our gratitude for their sacrifices that has continued to give this nation a country of free elections.”

Wilkin added, “The Vietnam veteran has been an unsung hero for far too long.

“The bravery it took to put their lives on the line is unprecedented,” he said. “Their courage and patriotism has long been overlooked by this nation. The post-traumatic stress that was endured by many has only become a reality within these recent years, because once again, we have forgotten just how important it was to care for our veterans.”

After hearing from Wilkin, two Vietnam War Veterans Day proclamations were presented on behalf of the City of Hillsboro and the Highland County Commissioners Office.

Hillsboro Mayor Justin Harsha read the city’s proclamation, which said Hillsboro is “proud to join the national commemoration of the Vietnam War Veterans Day.

“As citizens of the city of Hillsboro, we must never forget the pain and suffering that lingers today for the men and women who fought with honor and distinction in the name of freedom and democracy for all,” Harsha read from the proclamation. “We will never forget their sacrifice, and we value their continued service to their fellow veterans today, as they embody the motto of the Vietnam Veterans of America: ‘Never again will one generation of veterans abandoned another.’”

Harsha’s proclamation also paid tribute to the first Highland County soldier killed in the war, Pfc. David Lynn McConnaughey of Hillsboro.

“David entered the Army in May 1965 and was sent to Vietnam in October,” Harsha said.

McConnaughey lost his life a few months later, in March 1966.

“I encourage all citizens to remember the selfless service of our fallen heroes and sacrifices of our military personnel, veterans and their families,” Harsha said.

Highland County Auditor Alex Butler also shared a proclamation on behalf of the Highland County Commissioners Office, saying that “all three commissioners are incredibly regretful they couldn't make it” for the ceremony due to a prior appointment.

The commissioners’ proclamation recognized the many Highland County veterans who served in the Vietnam War, including those killed in action.

“The citizens of Highland County have always answered their nation’s call in times of war and conflict,” Butler read from the proclamation. “At least 11 Highland County servicemen that we are aware of paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

“It is well documented that many veterans of the Vietnam War did not receive the honor, gratitude and recognition they deserved during the Vietnam War or immediately after its conclusion. Highland County is proud to join more than 11,000 national, state and local organizations that have partnered to assist the nation in honoring 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who have served.”

The proclamation also “encourages our citizens to reflect on the service and sacrifice of all who served in the Vietnam War and to express their appreciation and gratitude to the veterans and their families now and for generations to come,” Butler said.

At Wilkin’s invitation, Harsha and Butler posed for photos with the Vietnam War veterans in attendance Wednesday.

After the indoor ceremony, everyone was invited to walk outside to the Highland County Veterans Memorial. Highland County Honor Guard members placed wreaths on the memorial as Wilkin read the names of the “Fallen Sons of Highland County” who lost their lives in the war:

• Pfc. David Lynn McConnaughey of Hillsboro, Feb. 18, 1944—March 30, 1966;

• SPC4 Robert Charles Wing of Greenfield, Feb. 13, 1941—Oct. 13, 1967;

• 1Lt. Charles Robert Lovedahl of Lynchburg, Oct. 3, 1936—March 21, 1968;

• SPC4 John Raymond Crouse of Hillsboro, Aug. 25, 1943—May 5, 1968;

• Pfc. Mark Loren Hook of Hillsboro Sept. 23, 1949—Aug. 28, 1968;

• Capt. Cary Francis McAfee of Hillsboro, March 22, 1938—Sept. 14, 1968;

• Pfc. Neil Jay Morris of Greenfield, March 3, 1947—Oct. 15, 1968;

• SFC William Ernest Brown of Hillsboro, Feb. 8, 1948—Nov. 15, 1968;

• A01 Ollie James Gross of Hillsboro, June 25, 1944—April 23, 1969;

• SPC4 Donald Wayne Priest, Jr. of Leesburg, Sept. 9, 1948— May 14, 1969; and

• Cpl. James Harold Waulk of Greenfield, March 16, 1950—Feb. 20, 1970.

“These were your fellow Highland Countians that never returned alive,” Wilkin said. “This day is for them and their families.”

After a moment of silence in memory of those soldiers, the Highland County Veterans Honor Guard performed a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of “Taps.” Several people then returned to the Eagles to view a display that included the “Fallen Sons of Highland County” book and plaque memorializing those killed in the war and other pamphlets, books and magazines about the Vietnam War.