Veterans Memorial Park hosts ceremony honoring and remembering those who served
Story by Katie Hightower
On March 29, the Jackson County VFW Post 6073 hosted its second annual Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Heroes Drive in Scottsboro. A large crowd gathered for the ceremony to honor the service and sacrifice of all Vietnam Era Veterans.
In 2017, President Donald Trump made March 29 the official National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day with the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act. This spring will mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War and this fall will mark 70 years since it began. Over 1,700 Vietnam Veterans reside in Jackson County and the ceremony recognized their bravery and contributions and offered an opportunity to come together in communal reflection of a time when heroes’ efforts weren’t widely-acknowledged or appreciated.
The ceremony began with the entry of the Honor Guard and a wreath bearer. After they entered, Pastor Dwayne Griggs from Trinity Baptist Church, offered the invocation. Jim Olyniec led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mark Warren led the crowd in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.
After Olyniec thanked the crowd for coming to the ceremony, he handed the microphone to Jim Blackburn.
“In remembrance of the Vietnam War, we honor the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of all those who served. As we lay this wreath, we affirm our commitment to never forget their service and to strive for peace and understanding in their honor. May their courage inspire us to work towards a world where such sacrifices are no longer necessary,” Blackburn said.
VFW Past Commander, Nathan Green, and his wife, Robin, then laid a wreath at the base of the Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel to honor those who lost their lives in service to our country.
Blackburn then invited all Vietnam Veterans and families of Vietnam Veterans to come forward to face the wall for the reading of the 27 names of Jackson County Soldiers who lost their lives in the war: in the US Army, Willard G. Bellomy, Paul R. Chambers, James L Crockett, Robert G. Daniel, James D. Darwin, Lon Dougherty, Clyde G. Gentle, Richard L. Higginbotham, Macklin O. Hughes, George McCutchen, Johnnie R. Miller, Eugene E. Mitchell, William A. Parker, Howard E. Phillips, Kenneth E. Polk, Bobby R. Rodgers, Clayton G. Rogers Jr., Larry Sample, Jessie F. Sanders, Billie H. Smith, William L. Terrell, Daniel L. Underwood, Bill Walden, Archie V. Wells; in the Air Force, William C. Wood Jr.; in the Marines, Jimmy R. Holkem and in the Navy, Jerry L. Carver.
The crowd silently stood and many read along as the names on the wall were read. After a prayer for the fallen soldiers, led by Pastor Jody Gamble, and the playing of Taps, all of the Veterans saluted the fallen out of respect for their sacrifice—heroes saluting heroes.
