Vietnam Veterans Honored At Ceremony In Brownsville

VFW Post 6937 members performing the Presentation of Colors.

Moriah Peterson, story and photos:
Veterans and their families, along with community members gathered at the Brownsville Community Center on Friday March 29, 2019 to honor Vietnam Veterans.

DAV Commander Jack Hasty welcomed all to the ceremony and VFW Post 6937 members performed the Presentation of Colors, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem by Sheriff Shane Doyle. 

Veterans stand for recognition during the ceremony.

Veterans stand for recognition during the ceremony.

County Judge Executive Wil Cannon read a proclamation declaring March 29th as National Vietnam Veterans Day in Edmonson County. There were several other guest speakers during the ceremony that included: State Representative Michael Meredith, and State DAV Auxiliary Committee Member Debra Jefferies.

​DAV member and Vietnam Veteran Richard Jones, was asked to speak about his experience in Vietnam. He spoke about his arrival, experience with sniper fire, and how dirty and soaking wet himself and other soldiers were all the time. He also spoke about his experience as a “tunnel rat” and the various booby traps that were set by the Vietnamese.  “As a tunnel rat you would go into these tunnels not knowing what you would meet inside, your head would be touching the top of the tunnel, shoulders touching on both sides, while crawling on your knees,” said Jones. “And the ropes they would tie around you wasn’t so you could find your way out, but that if you were injured or killed they could drag you out.” 

​DAV member and Vietnam Veteran Richard Jones speaking during the ceremony.

Community members and veterans gathered together to honor Vietnam Veterans.

Veteran and DAV Commander Jack Hasty was recognized for his service as US Army Sargent, including a tour in Vietnam, and for his dedication and service as Commander to the Chapter 32 DAV and for his 19 years of service as Post Commander of VFW 6937.

​First Sergeant Retired Mike Stoyonovich, was recognized for his 27 years of service with the US Army, that included tours in both Iraq and Vietnam, and for service and dedication to the DAV. 

Veteran and DAV Commander Jack Hasty and First Sargent Retired Mike Stoyonovich, were recognized for their dedication and service.

​Prior to the luncheon, the names of Edmonson County veterans who were killed in action in Vietnam were read:
Ssgt Travis O Poss, US Army 11/15/1965
LTC Ernest Ed Lane, US Army 5/8/1966
Cpl James Larry Hightower, USMC 10/22/1966
Pfc Harvey R. Chambers, US Army 3/11/1967
SP4 Elzie Sanders Jr., US Army 11/12/1967
1LT William Roy Watt, US Army 2/29/1968
Sgt Charles Wayne Graham US Army 3/12/1968
Sgt Danny E Hereau, US Army 4/26/1968
Pfc Ernest Buzzy Rutherford, USMC 7/11/1969
CWO Bobby Lee Tarter, US Army 8/24/1969
Ssgt Darrell Hogan, US Army 10/30/1971

VFW Post 6937 members posting the wreath.

VFW Post 6937 members during the 3 volleys/21 gun salute.

VFW Post 6937 member Bennie Durbin performing Taps during the closing ceremony.

The closing ceremony included the posting of the wreath, and the raising of the flag, the 3 volleys/21 gun salute and taps performed by VFW Post 6937 members.