March 31, 2023 - VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary members gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial March 29, 2023, in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
An opening prayer was led by Kenneth Ramsey, Post Chaplain, and the program was led by Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster.
Hume informed everyone that the days event marked 50 years since the last combat troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973, and is now known as National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day.
“Today we have the opportunity to not only pause and reflect, but to remember and honor the memory of the more than 58,000 men and women who gave so much, paying the ultimate sacrifice,” said Hume.
He said the occasion is also to honor the more than 3.4 million military personnel who served in the Republic of South Vietnam, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia in support of the US military operations there.
“Vietnam veterans are everyday people made extraordinary by events out of their control, they did their duty because they had a deep and abiding love for their country,” said Hume. “Our Vietnam veterans performed the highest for of public service. When it all came down to it they stood strong, and when it was needed they answered the challenge.”
Hume further described the best way to honor those veterans is to ensure that every new generation of veterans are appreciated, and receives the dignity, respect and welcome home they have earned.
“Making sure every veteran receives the benefits and entitlements they deserve is one way of maintaining a link to thousands of men and women who helped secure so many blessings for us,” said Hume.
Hume elaborated on problems unique to Vietnam including both chemical and psychological.
“The use of Agent Orange resulted in a 15-year fight for the presumptive compensation,” said Hume.
All Vietnam veterans present for the event were invited to make themselves known. Mike Wulf, Post member and Vietnam veteran, then placed the memorial wreath.
Those in attendance then participated in reading the names of Shelby County veterans who lost their lives during the Vietnam War, and they are as follows:
- Ted Wane Adams: Killed in Action on November 15, 1956. Vietnam Memorial Panel 12 East, Line 76.
- William Larry "Shorty" Andrews: Killed in action on February 16', 1967. Vietnam Memorial Panel 15 East, Line 38
- Jimmy D. Barnett: Killed in action on March 26, 1968. Vietnam Memorial Panel 46 East, Line 28.
- Mac Curtis Buckley: Killed in action on July 5, 1968. Vietnam Memorial Panel 53 West, Line 16.
- Larry Stephen Byford: Killed in action on June 23, 1967. Vietnam Memorial Panel 22 East, Line 52.
- Ray A. Chatelain: Killed in action on July 30, 1957. Vietnam Memorial Panel 24 East, Line 50.
- William Henry Eaden: Killed in action on November 12, 1965. Vietnam Memorial Panel 3 East, Line 42.
- Jerry Lynn Hughes: Killed in action on July 12, 1967. Vietnam Memorial Panel 23 East, Line 59.
- Taylor D. Johnson: Killed in action on January 28, 1966. Vietnam Memorial Panel 4 East, Line 103.
- John B. Lightfoot: Died while preparing to deploy to Vietnam.
- Samuel B. Lynch: Killed in action December 18, 1970. Vietnam Memorial, Panel 6 West, Line 130.
- Calvin R. Patrick: Killed in action on May 28, 1969. Vietnam Memorial Panel 24 West, Line 106.
Those in the audience were invited to mention anyone they knew or wanted to remember who was in the Vietnam War.
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Gene Edward Smith dated he knew both William Larry "Shorty" Andrews and Larry Stephen Byford. Ike Reeves, VFW member, remembered Stephen Lane of the Tennessee Community who was injured on a personnel carrier. Jan Ramsey, Auxiliary member, stated she had two brothers and numerous cousins who served in Vietnam and made it home safely. One cousin was a helicopter pilot, and he was wounded, once healed he returned to Vietnam and made it home after that.
Hume invited everyone to remember Shelby County Vietnam veteran Larry Durham, “He served with the United State Marine Corps in Vietnam and he was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military decoration for valor in combat that our country can bestow. He was a 1964 graduate of Tenaha High School, and his Silver Star citation read ‘The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Larry W. Durham (MCSN: 2113914), United States Marine Corps for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Combat Engineer with Company H, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Ninth Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 31 March 1968, Company H was conducting a search and destroy operation in Quang Tri Province when the Marines suddenly came under a heavy volume of small arms, automatic weapons, and grenade launcher fire from a well-entrenched North Vietnamese Army force. During the ensuing assault upon the enemy emplacements, the lead element was temporarily halted and sustained several casualties, including Corporal Durham. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he maneuvered across the hazardous area to the company's rearward position and obtained a demolition charge. Ignoring his painful injuries, he returned to the point of heaviest contact and began crawling toward the hostile positions. Moving to within a few meters of the enemy soldiers, he ignited the demolition charge fuze and allowed it to burn until only a few seconds remained. Ignoring the hostile fire impacting around him, he then fearlessly ran to the nearest bunker and placed the charge on top of the emplacement, destroying the position and killing eight North Vietnamese soldiers. In large measure due to his heroic and timely actions, he was instrumental in enabling his unit to overrun the enemy positions and accounting for twelve North Vietnamese soldiers killed. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Corporal Durham inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service”. Also, for wounds received in this action, Corporal Durham was awarded the Purple Heart.’”
Read more on Larry Wayne Durham by clicking here: Every Veteran Has a Story: Larry Wayne Durham
Taps was then played as presented by Gene Hutto, Past Post Commander.
