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January 28, 2019 - (Click here to view program) - The Vietnam Peace Accord of 1973 was observed at the Shelby County Courthouse by VFW Post 8904 Veterans and Auxiliary Monday, January 28, 2019.
Leading the ceremony was Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, who recited a history of the accord, which read as follows:
The Paris Peace Accords ended the fighting in Vietnam, it was signed 46 years ago on January 27, 1973 and was followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops. The terms of the accord called for a complete cease fire in south Vietnam. It allowed north Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured, it provided for the release of all U.S. prisoners of war, and called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict. As an enticement to South Vietnam, President Richard Nixon offered U.S. air power to enforce the peace terms; unfortunately, this was stopped in December of 1974 when Congress cut off all military aid to south Vietnam.
"More than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in the Vietnam War, and there's still 1,590 missing in action. At this very moment, we have POW MIA accounting teams continues to search around the world wherever there are missing Americans," said Hume.
"We have 12 Vietnam Veterans that were killed in action, or died in training, that are buried here in Shelby County, Texas," said Hume.
The names were read by Post and Auxiliary members Mary Fausett, Gene Hutto, Travis Snider, and Rhonda Profitt, niece of Jerry Lynn Hughes, who was present with her father Bobby McCauley.
Hume stated there are many things and stories to be remembered, "William Henry Eaden, he was the first to die in the Vietnam War. I told someone a while ago that Larry Byford, when he was in the Army he came home on leave, and he attended Shorty Andrews Funeral in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Four months later they buried Larry Byford in that same cemetery."
A memorial wreath was hung on the Shelby County Veterans Memorial by Vietnam Veteran Newton Johnson Jr. Taps was then sounded as presented by Gene Hutto, Post Commander.
Shelby County Servicemen Killed in Action in Vietnam
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John B. Lightfoot, killed in an armed training accident on October 3, 1974.
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Samuel R. Lynch, killed in action December 18, 1970. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 6 West, Line 130.
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Calvin R. Patrick, killed in action May 28, 1969. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 24 West, Line 106.
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William Henry Eaden, killed in action on November 12, 1965. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 3 East, Line 42.
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Ted Wayne Adams, killed in action on November 15, 1966. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 12 East, Line 76.
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Taylor D. Johnson, killed in action on January 28, 1966. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 4 East, Line 103.
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William Larry "Shorty" Andrews, killed in action on February 16, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 15 East, Line 38.
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Larry Stephen Byford, killed in action on June 23, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 22 East, Line 52.
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Jerry Lynn Hughes, killed in action on July 12, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 23 East, Line 59.
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Ray A. Chatelain, killed in action on July 30, 1967. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 24 East, Line 50.
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Jimmy D. Barnett, killed in action on March 26, 1968. His name on the Vietnam Memorial can be found at Panel 46 East, Line 28.
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Mac Curtis Buckley, killed in action on July 5, 1968. His name on the wall can be found at Panel 53 West, Line 16.
