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 Benny Durbin carries the memorial wreath at the annual Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony at the Edmonson County Community Center, April 4, 2026. Darren Doyle, story and photos: Vietnam Veterans both local and otherwise, were honored in the Edmonson County Community Center today to commemorate National Vietnam Veterans Day, sponsored by local DAV Chapter 32 and Auxiliary. This year's featured veteran was Stephen Ray McCrady, Sgt First Class (E-7) U.S. Army, who was the son of Richard McCrady and Jane Webb Johnson of Edmonson County. Sgt. McCrady enlisted in the Army at age 19 and served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as a door gunner, mechanic, and repairman. Gerald Carroll, local VFW member delivered the remarks on Sgt. McCrady, who said was a representative of that generation of young men who came of age with the specter of the war and draft ever presence in their youth. "During his time in Vietnam, he flew over 1400 hours in the “Huey” which was the Army’s UH-1 Iroquois helicopter. That is an extraordinary amount of flight time, equating to almost 4 hours per day, every day he was there. No doubt many days exceeded 10-12 hour. He was initially assigned as a door gunner which was common for the new guys with little experience but as he developed his skills and ability, he was made the crew chief of his aircraft." "Crew chiefs were normally assigned to an aircraft which was their “baby.” They lived with it constantly, took care of it and sometimes even slept with it. After a long days mission, the CE stayed on the flight line to pull a daily inspection, check for possible combat damage. Many times, they had already missed supper and they knew they would have to be up early for the next days missions. Many CEs would rather miss food, or a day off or anything else to avoid not being with their bird when it flew. They would fly with anyone just to be with their ship. There was a bond there that is difficult for the uninitiated to understand." Carroll became emotional multiple times during his remarks. "To the soldiers in the field the helicopters were literally their lifeline – it dropped them off and returned to pick them up, it brought hot food when available, brought them letters from home, resupplied with ammo, lit the night sky with airborne flares, provided covering fire and most importantly extracted the wounded. Men like Stephen McCrady did this job with pride and determination under the most difficult of circumstances. The helicopter was a prized target for the enemy and when the helo’s approached every gun was turned towards them. During Steve’s tour of duty, he was shot down 3 times and on a couple of occasions had to spend the night in the unforgiving jungle awaiting rescue." "Our Vietnam Vets never received a proper homecoming, most just blended back into their lives among their fellow Americans but that part of their youth will forever be with them, the good and the bad. Perhaps the motto of the 134th AHC sums it up best," Carroll said as he came to a close. “Heavy is the weight of freedom, Blessed are those who carry it." Among the guest speakers at today's ceremony were Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey, Chaplain Freeman Ramey, KY State DAV Commander and Vietnam Vet Mike Stoyonovich, Sheriff James Vincent, Clark Arnold, Army Command Sgt. Major (Ret.), and Maurita Miller. DAV Commander Jack Hasty rang the memorial bell as each fallen Edmonson County Vietnam Veteran was called. Those names included:
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