From left to right: Frank Hudspeth, Gene Hutto, Ray Miller, Derrick Roberts, Larry Hume, Chelsea Eshliman, Delanda (Wulf) Agocs-Baker, Theresa Hume, Sean Martin, Mary Fausett, and Jane Todd.
May 1, 2025 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members gathered inside the Shelby County Historic Courthouse due to rainy weather to honor National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Friday, March 29, 2024.
Larry Hume, Post Adjutant, led the program starting with the invocation. He then shared, “On behalf of Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 in Center and the Auxiliary, we thank you for being here on this National Veterans Memorial Day 2025. Vietnam War Veterans' recognition back in 2017 was signed into law by the 45th U.S. President Donald Trump designating March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.”
Hume shared some history, “Now 52 years ago today the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam and Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. Two years later, April 30, 1975 the last few Americans in South Vietnam were airlifted out of Saigon as it fell to communist forces. Now the Vietnam War has a long history starting in [1954] but there are a lot of different dates, we were there for a long time, and it went on until the official ending in 1975 with over 2.7 million Americans served. And in that war, five killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old, obviously they lied about their age to get into the service of their county. And the oldest Vietnam Veteran killed was 92 years old. We had eight women, all nurses, who died in Vietnam. One died by enemy fire and the other seven were killed in a plane or helicopter crash. Now, of those killed in Vietnam, over 61% were under age 21 and the average age of those killed were 23.1 years. Today, there are less than 850,000 Vietnam Veterans alive of the 2.7 million that served. The medium age is 68.
“Now the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. contains over 58,000 names of Americans who died in the Vietnam War and the State of Texas itself lost over 3,400; only two states, California and New York, lost more. And right here in Shelby County Texas as in wars previous and since they answered the call of duty and paid the price losing ten soldiers and one sailor.”
The names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice were read by members in attendance to keep their memory alive. Sean Martin, Post Member read the first four names: Ted Wane Adams, killed in action on November 15, 1966; William Larry “Shorty” Andrews, killed in action on February 16, 1967; Jimmy D. Barnett, killed in action on March 26, 1968; and Mac Curtis Buckley, killed in action on July 5, 1968. Post Member Ray Miller read the names: Larry Stephen Byford, killed in action on June 23, 1967; Ray A. Chatelain, killed in action on July 30, 1967; William Henry Eaden, killed in action on November 12, 1965; and Jerry Lynn Hughes, killed in action on July 12, 1967. Auxiliary member Theresa Hume read the last names: Taylor D. Johnson, killed in action on January 28, 1966; Samuel B. Lynch, killed in action on December 18, 1970; and Calvin R. Patrick, killed in action on May 28, 1969.
After a moment of silence for all those who have served and have pasted, the Post and Auxiliary then held a special remembrance for Post Commander Michael Wulf who passed on March 8, 2025. He was a Vietnam Veteran. Hume shared, “He was known to all of us as Mike. Our post had the honor of rendering final military funeral honors for Mike on March 12 at his funeral. He served the United States Army from April 1, 1968 to March 13, 1970 and this included a tour of duty with the Military Assistance Command Vietnam, commonly called MACV if you were assigned there. And he arrived in country on May 27, 1969 and he departed on March 12, 1970. Now his MOS was 11E40, Infantry Operations and Intelligence Specialist, his job was the gathering and analyzing of intelligence specific to infantry operations and reporting enemy activity to higher headquarters. Now the Vietnam War was not a popular war but Mike and his fellow Vietnam Veterans they served honorably with distinction and they did what patriots have done since day one. They did what their country asked of them. And the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was proud of that service and his family and friends can be also. For his service he was promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant E5, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.”
In commemoration of the virtue of the Post’s comrade and friend Michael Joseph Wulf, symbolic tributes were offered. A red flower was presented by Post Commander Derrick Roberts to symbolize the passion and uncompromising dedication of Comrade Mike Wulf in upholding brotherhood, truth, and justice.
A white flower was then presented by Post Member Frank Hudspeth as a token of the purity of affection the Post had for Comrade Wulf.
A blue flower was placed by Post Member Larry Jones symbolizing truth and fidelity as a token of the Posts sincere respect for Post Commander and Comrade Mike Wulf.
Post Auxiliary Member Mary Fausett then placed a wreath as a symbol of eternity, its color represents life everlasting and says that the deeds of Comrade Mike Wulf are immortalized in the hearts of a grateful people and nation.
To end the program, Taps was performed by Past Post Commander Gene Hutto.
