Pictured are (from left) Gene Hutto, Jan Ramsey, Kenneth Ramsey, Mary Fausett, Richard Lundie, Joy Hutto, Linda Lundie, Joyce Johnson, Dr. Jane Todd, Carolyn Umbrell, Larry Hume, Ike Reeves, Neil Woodfin, and Mike Wulf.
March 29, 2024 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial at the Shelby County Historic Courthouse in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Friday, March 29, 2024.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, led the program and Kenneth Ramsey, Post Sr. Vice, offered the opening prayer.
Hume stated March 29 is the 51st anniversary since the last combat troops left Vietnam in 1973, now known as National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day.
Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, led the program on Friday.
“Today we have the opportunity not only to pause and reflect, but to remember and honor the memory of more than 58,000 men and women who gave so much, paying the ultimate price,” said Hume.
The occasion is also an opportunity to honor and remember more than 3.4 million military personnel who served in the Republic of Vietnam or elsewhere in Southeast Asia in support of military operations.
Hume remarked that Vietnam veterans are everyday people who were made extraordinary by events beyond their control. They did their duty because they had a deep and abiding love for their country.
Several Vietnam veterans gathered for a photo, include Joyce Johnson (councilwoman) whose brother was also in Vietnam. Pictured are (from left) Kenneth Ramsey, US Army; Joyce Johnson in honor of her brother Mac C. Buckley, US Army, KIA Vietnam; Neil Woodfin, Ike Reeves, US Navy, Larry Hume, US Air Force, and Mike Wulf, US Army.
“Our Vietnam veterans performed the highest form of public service. When it all came down to it, they stood strong and when it was needed, they answered the challenge. And the best way we can honor them today is to ensure that every new generation of veterans is appreciated and receives the dignity, the respect, and welcome home that they have earned,” said Hume. “Making sure that every veteran receives the benefits and entitlements they deserve is one way of maintaining a link to the thousands of men and women who help secure so many blessings for us.”
There were also problems unique to Vietnam, explained Hume. One chemical, one psychological.
“The use of Agent Orange resulted in a 15-year fight for presumptive compensation. Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly known as PTSD, produced a need for veteran centers, which finally became a reality in 1979. And before we leave here today, let's pause to honor those who have selfishly sacrificed to protect and defend our freedom by recommitting ourselves to our families, our communities, and to our country.”
Joyce Johnson attended the program and brought with her photos of her brother, Mac Curtis Buckley.
During the program, Hume invited all Vietnam veterans present to raise their hand and as they did he stated, “Welcome home brothers.”
In honor of all those who served in the Vietnam War, those who have passed and those still living, US Navy Vietnam veteran Ike Reeves will placed the memorial wreath.
“Shelby County, Texas as in previous wars and since answered the calls of duty and paid the price. We lost seven soldiers and one sailor and another marine. Marine while preparing to report with his unit to Vietnam,” said Hume.
The names that were read are as follows:
- Adams, Ted W. - Private First Class - Born in Beaumont, Texas, July 31, 1944. Inducted into the US Army November 14, 1965. Killed in action November 15, 1966, age 22. Buried in the Tennessee Cemetery, Timpson, Texas. Awarded the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 12 E, Line 76.
- Andrews, William L. "Shorty" - Specialist Fourth Class - Born in Shelby County, Texas, October 25, 1945. Inducted into the US Army in 1965. Killed in action February 16, 1967, age 21. Buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 15 E, Line 38.
- Barnett, Jimmy D. - Private First Class - Born in Joaquin, Texas, February 28, 1943. Inducted into the US Army May 1967. Killed in action March 26, 1968, age 25. Buried in the Jackson Cemetery, Joaquin, Texas. Awarded the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 46 E, Line 28.
- Buckley, Mac C. - Private First Class - Born in Center, Texas, July 11, 1945. Inducted into the US Army 1967. Killed in action July 5, 1968. Buried in the Westview Cemetery, Center, Texas. Awarded the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 53 W, Line 16.
- Byford, Larry S. "Possum" - Private First Class - Born in Center, Texas, May 1, 1945. Inducted into the US Army October 1965. Killed in action June 23, 1967. Buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 22 E, Line 52.
- Chatelain, Ray A. - Seaman First Class - Born in Louisiana May 6, 1946. Joined the US Navy October 1965. Killed in an explosion aboard the USS Forrestal. Buried in the Longstreet Cemetery, Longstreet, Louisiana. Awarded the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 24 E, Line 50.
- Eaden, William H. - Sergeant - Born in Timpson, Texas, August 12, 1939. Joined the US Army December 13, 1961. Career soldier killed in action November 12, 1965. Buried in the Mount Gillion Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Awarded the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 3 E, Line 42.
- Hughes, Jerry L. - Sergeant - Born in Center, Texas, July 17, 1946. Inducted into the US Army May 1966. Killed in action July 12, 1967. Buried in Oaklawn Memorial Park, Center, Texas. Awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 23 E, Line 59.
- Johnson, Taylor D. "Sonny" - Major - Born in Joaquin, Texas, December 15, 1929. Joined the US Army 1953. Career soldier. Killed in action January 28, 1966. Buried in the Joaquin Cemetery, Joaquin, Texas. Awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 4 E, Line 103.
- Lightfoot, John B. - Corporal - Born in Shelby County, Texas, July 27, 1952. Joined the US Marine Corps June 14, 1971. Killed in a training accident in Louisiana while preparing to deploy to Vietnam. Buried in the McClelland Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas.
- Lynch, Samuel R. - Specialist Fourth Class - Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, May 26, 1949. Inducted into the US Army 1969. Killed in action December 12, 1970. Buried in the White Rock Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Awarded the Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 6 W, Line 130.
- Patrick, Calvin R. - Private First Class - Born in Houston, Texas, November 23, 1950. Inducted into the US Army November 30, 1968. Killed in action May 25, 1969. Buried in the Wimberly Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Vietnam Memorial Panel 24 W, Line 106.
