May 20, 2007 By Lori Ann Goodwin 3 min read

For the loved ones of fallen soldiers and veterans of the Vietnam War, the day could not have been better to honor those who served and sacrificed for this country. Saturday at noon marked the closing of the 24-hour vigil at AMVETS Post 103 in Hopwood to honor the 49 soldiers killed and the one missing in action from Fayette County in Vietnam.

The vigil included a candlelight ceremony, and some in attendance took turns holding the American flag, which changed hands every 15 minutes throughout the 24 hours.

“We are a group of one, united together to honor the 50 veterans who gave the supreme sacrifice and to their families,” said Frank Voytek, president of the Vietnam Veterans Inc. of Fayette County. “This memorial and services are in honor of the men of the Armed Forces of the United States that served in the Vietnam War.”

Glenn Nielson, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans Inc., and Dolores Howe, whose son, Louis Wheeler, was killed in Vietnam, presented the memorial wreath, which honors those lives sacrificed in Vietnam.

Keynote speaker James Smith, junior past regional president northeast of the Fleet Reserve Association Steel City Branch 253, said he wanted to focus on giving those in attendance an idea of what the Vietnam veterans went through and to honor those who served in Vietnam.

“Never in the history of our country have our servicemen had to serve under such trying conditions,” Smith said. “But through these hardships, they served with valor and courage.”

Smith, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1973, said serving in Vietnam was very hard, and so was the transition of returning home.

“In Vietnam they were surrounded by men with guns,” Smith said. “When they came home, they felt vulnerable. They felt lonely without their military friends. Even when surrounded by family and friends, they kept a constant watch on their surroundings and remained hyper and vigilant outside the walls of their homes.”

Smith added these soldiers shared common goals and values with others upon whom they literally depended for their lives.

“When they came home, they found dishonesty, hypocrisy and malice in the people,” Smith said. “This wall is a reflection of the unique bond that holds the Vietnam veterans together in Fayette County and in America.”

Smith said many Americans opposed the war when it was being fought, and what bothers him most is the frigid reception that America gave its returning Vietnam veterans. He added that America was unable to distinguish native distaste for war and the patriotism of those who suffered.

He said now is the time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the Vietnam veterans.

“Today we stand as a community to pay tribute to our veterans that served in Vietnam,” Smith said. “Thank you for your courage, and thank you for being patient with your countrymen. May God bless those who gave their lives and those who are protectors of our freedom. May God bless America, and may God bless you for being here today.”

After Smith’s speech, Nielson, along with Hilary Hostetler, whose brother is the late Louis Wheeler, and Becky Wood, whose son is the late Larry Harden, also killed in Vietnam, presented the Gold Star Mothers and Fathers wreath.

The end of the ceremony was marked with a firing detail and the playing of taps.