A Tribute to Northwest Ohio Vietnam Veterans by The Crescent-News

A Tribute to Northwest Ohio’s Vietnam Veterans In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War “To the Vietnam Veterans of the United States of America. Thank You for your service. You are not forgotten” – from the plaque accompanying the eternal ﬂame on the National Vietnam War Memorial. Special Supplement of

The Crescent-News Sunday, May 25, 2014

Honoring All Those Who Ser ved For all that you have given to our countr y, we salute you, our Vietnam Veterans. Your ser vice and your sacrifice will always be remembered. With gratitude, we honor America’s Vietnam Veterans. Co. Rd. 424 (Exit 22, just west of 24), Look for the “BIG DEER”

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Moving memorial coming to Defiance By DARLENE PRINCE

K of C parking lot on Elliott Road east to the Domersville Road overpass, where it will proceed onto U.S. 24 and head west to the he Moving Wall-Vietnam Veterans Baltimore Road exit. The procession will folMemorial will be on display in low Baltimore Road to Holgate Avenue, past Defiance from June 12-15 to com- the fire department and turn north on North memorate the 50th anniversary of Clinton Street. the start of the Vietnam War. The wall will stop for a few moments at The event was spearheaded by the Defiance County War Memorial at the the Defiance County Veteran’s courthouse in remembrance of the fallen serOffice with assistance by vetvicemen. The Defiance Fire Department and eran’s officer Mike Williams, benefits counthe Archbold Fire Department will have their selor Tanya Brunner and administrative aerial towers, with a large flag flying from assistant Erin Clady. Also deeply involved them, positioned on Clinton Street, just north in the effort to bring the wall to Defiance of the courthouse. were the Vietnam Veterans of America The wall, with its escort, will proceed north Post 954, Defiance VFW Post 3360 and its on Clinton Street to Stadium Drive, where Ladies Auxiliary, Defiance DAV Chapter 36, it will turn onto Webster Street to its final Jewell American Legion Post 635, Defiance destination at a location between Whitney AMVETS Post 1991 and Master Gardeners of and McReynolds halls on the Defiance Defiance County. Defiance College officials College campus. The wall will open at 2 p.m. have graciously opened their campus for the Thursday, June 12, and remain open 24 hours three-day event. a day to the public through June 15. It will A committee, composed of about 20-plus be taken down on June 16 and moved out of people including Vietnam veterans, the town. Defiance County Veteran’s Office and the During the three-day weekend, the Quilts previously-mentioned groups, met a numof Tears will be on display at the Serrick ber of times over the past two years to make Campus Center at Defiance College, from 9 plans for the event. a.m.-9 p.m., June 13-15. The Quilts of Tears The wall will be open to the public on June are made from sections of material sent in 12-15, and on display at Defiance College. A from people who are honoring or remembernumber of events will take place at the coling those who have been affected by Agent lege which will all be free and open to the Orange. Each quilt square is personalized public. with the story of a veteran or group. Those Starting at 9 a.m. on June 12, the Moving squares are then sewn into larger quilts. Wall will have a motorcycle escort from the @cnDarlenePrince prince@crescent-news.com

AP Photo

There will be a display on the DC campus by the legendary Red Horse Squadron of various types of military equipment used by the squadron. A seminar about the nation’s search and recovery operations for POWs and MIAs will be held twice over the weekend at Schomburg Auditorium — on Saturday, June 14, at 4 p.m., and Sunday, June 15, at 2 p.m. The speaker will be retired Army Col. Ward B. Nickisch. These seminars are free for the public to attend. A welcome tent and information center for those visiting the wall will be in place on the campus grounds between McReynolds and Whitney halls. Visitors may go to the tent to obtain information. There will be a musicians’ tent by the Pilgrim Library where, on Saturday night, at 7 p.m., a band will be performing. One Hour at the Wall — a gathering of Vietnam veterans will be held on Saturday at 8 p.m. On Sunday, a patriotic public ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war will be held at the wall at 6 p.m. There will be music by The Brass Works, directed by Scott Rogers. The emcee will be Mike Williams, USMC. Father John F. Stites will give the invocation. The speaker will Col. Ward Nickisch, U.S. Army Retired. There will be a presentation of several wreaths and a reading of the fallen soldiers’ names. In case of rain, the public ceremony will be held at the Karl H. Weaner Community Center on the campus.

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‘Not forgotten’ Nickisch brings stories of search and recovery to Defiance College

By CHUCK MARTINEZ-BRANDON

@cnchuckmartinez |

U.S. ARMY COL. WARD B. NICKISCH

martinez@crescent-news.com

n every corner of the world, there are thousands of American service members whose remains are “unaccounted for.” But thanks to retired U.S. Army Col. Ward B. Nickisch and the Joint POW/ MIA Accounting Command, family members of fallen service members can put their loved ones to rest.

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command conducts global search, recovery and laboratory operations to identify unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts in order to support the Department of Defense’s personnel accounting efforts. The command is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and was activated Oct. 1, 2003. “This is extremely important to the families,” explained Nickisch. “No matter how long ago the incident, the next of kin has a hole filled with grief. And until there is physical evidence to bring closure to the families, there will always be that hole.” On June 14, Nickisch will travel to Defiance College to inform residents of northwest Ohio of the importance of the Joint POW/ MIA Accounting Command. The program will be held at DC’s Schomburg Auditorium on June 14 at 4 p.m. and on June 15 at 2 p.m. and will take "This is extremely participants on the journey important to the famifrom recovery mission to idenlies. No matter how long tification process. Nickisch ago the incident, the will show slides of recovery next of kin has a hole missions from North Korea filled with grief. And and significant recoveries of remains from World War II until there is physical Marines from the South Pacific. evidence to bring closure “It really is a worldwide to the families, there will effort to find remains,” said always be that hole." Nickisch. “(When we find them) we bring them back to U.S. Army Col. Ward B. Nickisch laboratory in Hawaii, it’s the largest skeletal lab in world. There we find scientific identification and return the remains to the families so they can bury their loved ones. “In the presentation in June, I’ll discuss a special recovery in the South Pacific from World War II where we recovered 19 Marines in Coral Sands and brought them (their remains) out almost totally intact. I’ll show how we do the excavations and I’ll talk about the process when we bring the remains back to the lab for identification.” The effort to identify remains began in the 1973, and in 1996, Nickisch spearheaded a group that did the unthinkable. “I was part of a U.S. delegation that sat down with the North Koreans in negotiations,” explained Nickisch. “We were the first Americans to travel north of the Demilitarized Zone since the war started. That lasted from 1996 through 2005, until political issues got in the way.” Nickisch explained that the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command finds 75-80 remains of U.S. military members each year, including those of Defiance native Sgt. Michael Batt, who was lost in Vietnam in 1969 and found in 2005. But Nickisch explained that it’s not always on foreign soil where remains are found. The Joint Recovery also works here at home to

find remains of military members lost during accidents and training exercises. “Those men and women are fallen but not forgotten,” said Nickisch. “We look for them from all prior wars. We’re still looking for 1,600 from southeast Asia, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; 8,000 from Korea; and 73,000 from World War II. It takes a tremendous amount of research before we launch a mission, however. We have to have reasonable belief remains can be found there.” Before retiring after 30 years of service, Nickisch was in charge of taking found remains and bringing them back to laboratories in Hawaii in an effort to be identified. It’s a process that relies heavily on science to give families the closure they need. And in cases like the 1998 exhuming of the remains from the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, families can receive answers instead of living with a mystery. “We rarely find complete skeletons,” explained Nickisch. “We’ll find portions of skeletons, jaw bones, teeth. What we do find we use mitochondrial DNA testing to identify them, in most cases without it (DNA testing) we’d be stumped. “These are marvelous missions,” ended Nickisch, who is still actively involved in dozens of veterans groups while also being a consultant with Serco Inc., a defense solutions provider. “It’s really something for us as Americans to be proud of, we’re the only country that goes to this extent to seek our fallen.”

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Return of Michael Batt’s remains not soon forgotten

By TIM McDONOUGH |

@cnmcdonough |

mcdonough@crescent-news.com

n March 16, 1969, Sgt. Michael Lero Batt of Defiance was part of a five-man crew whose U21-A plane disappeared while on a flying mission in Vietnam. He was officially listed as MIA until Aug. 31, 1978, when the Army declared him legally dead. For more than 35 years, his family was left to wonder what happened to Batt, that is until June of 2005. That’s when government forensic experts at the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, positively identified his remains. Batt’s twin sister, Mary Wagner of Defiance, received a phone call on June 6, 2005, from Paul Bethke, mortuary affairs specialist for the U.S. Army Human Resources Council. “He came to my home on June 14 (2005) and shared the information,” said Wagner in an article by Jack Palmer in The CrescentNews on July 15, 2005. “He told us the remains had been identified by their laboratory in Hawaii and also by two private laboratories. “Our family was allowed to ask all the questions we wanted

C-N File Photo

The remains of Sgt. Michael Batt are taken after a Mass at St. John Catholic Church in Defiance, in 2005.

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and he provided the answers,” she continued. “The evidence they provided completely convinced me that these were Mike’s remains.” On July 23 of that year, Batt’s remains were flown from Hawaii to Detroit, and then transported to Defiance by a U.S. Army sergeant, who served as a personal escort for those remains. On a hot and rainy July 26, 2005, a funeral was held for Batt at St. John’s Catholic Church in Defiance, followed by his burial next to his parents and brother at Riverview Memory Gardens. The date of burial corresponded with the 59th wedding anniversary of Sgt. Batt’s parents, the late Gerald and Agnes Batt. Gerald died of cancer in 1972, while Agnes lived until 2001. Batt’s younger brother, Patrick, died in 1990 at the age of 35. “Our kids and grandchildren know all about Mike, and what happened back in 2005 was a big thing for our family,” said Wagner in a recent interview. “It’s really nice that my mom and dad, and both my brothers, are all buried together. I am Mike’s twin sister, and I can’t tell you why, but I always knew he wasn’t a prisoner. I am very glad he returned to Defiance. Getting him back brought closure for sure.” Now nine years later, Wagner is still grateful for all the support her family received. “Defiance welcomed my brother home with open arms, and for that my family has been very, very grateful,” Wagner said. “It was very touching the way the community came to show respect for my brother’s service, to share stories about him, and to just tell the family they were sorry for our loss. “I will never forget the day in 1965 that my class was asked in high school by our teacher

Max Gecowets if any of us knew where Vietnam was,” Wagner added. “I don’t think there was a person in my class that knew. In short order, that’s where young men from our country were headed. I still ask myself sometimes, ‘how did a kid from Defiance, Ohio, end up in Vietnam?’” Since it was learned that Batt’s remains had been positively identified, Wagner has received 30 or more POW bracelets with her brother’s name on them. In fact, that same scenario just recently happened to Wagner. “I still get POW bracelets mailed to me from people all over the country that have his name on them,” Wagner said. “People write me letters and tell me about how they got the bracelets, and why they want me to have them. Just the other day I got a call from a woman in California who has had one since 1971 with Mike’s name on it. She had gone on the Internet and found the information that was in The Crescent-News. It’s amazing that people still care what happened to our servicemen after all this time.” Wagner was also glad to learn that The Moving Wall — Vietnam Veterans Memorial is returning to Defiance. She’s hoping teenagers and young adults will come and see what it’s all about. “I feel it’s important that the young generation knows that the names on those walls made the greatest sacrifice for our country,” Wagner said. “Lives were impacted, families were impacted by the names on that wall in a great way. Young people don’t understand what it was like for families that had men that had to serve underIfayou draft. My dad, miss husband and brother all served this under the draft, they didn’t have sign... a choice. We need to thank those Don’t men, Mike included, and rememMiss Ours! ber them for their sacrifice.”

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WITH HONOR AND RESPECT TO OUR VETERANS They are our family, friends, and neighbors; everyday citizens, yet so much more. They are the brave men and women who have put their lives at risk to protect and serve our country. Time and time again, our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s veterans have been on the front lines in defense of our freedom.

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Scenes from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington include a bouquet of flowers in a can wrapped in a photo (above) from May of 2012. At right and below are pictures from the 2007 northwest Ohio Honor Flight trip to the wall.

Jenny Derringer/C-N File Photo

Honoring Their Service & Sacrifice

To all the brave men and women who served in the Vietnam War, we thank you for your service and the sacrifice you made. You are an inspiration to all of us, and you make us proud to be Americans.

Jenny Derringer/C-N File Photo

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Motorcycles will lead the Wall

By DENNIS VAN SCODER |

Rural Defiance resident J.D. Grim

@cndvanscoder |

dvan@crescent-news.com

s part of the welcoming ceremony for the arrival in Defiance of the Moving Wall-Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a procession of motorcyclists will escort the wall as it is carried by truck on a short procession through town on the morning of June 12. J.D. Grim, a rural Defiance Vietnam veteran, is in charge of organizing those wishing to participate in the motorcycle escort. “I was contacted by George Schindler who is with the event organizing committee and asked to be involved,” recalled Grim. “At the first meeting I attended they gave me the job to organize the motorcycle escort.” Grim is aware that the procession route is a little unusual. “I thought at first that we would meet up with the wall at a state line and escort them to Defiance, but was told that they would meet us out by the hotels on the north edge of town.” Since a procession from Elliott Road to the Defiance College site for the wall’s display would be less than half a mile, Grim

DEFIANCE COLLEGE, a Yellow Ribbon school, is honored to be the site of

THE MOVING WALL

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL June 12-15, 2014

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 and the organizing committee got a little cre“There probably won’t be a lot to see when Infantry Division. ative with the route. the procession first gets there, but volunteers “We were young kids and not really scared,” “We will be leaving the parking lot of the for the event are always welcome and they can recalled Grim. “We were a bunch of 19-yearKnights of Columbus hall on Elliott Road at sign up to help out that morning,” said Grim. olds with M16s and all the ammo we could 9 a.m. Thursday with all Vietnam veterans “If you want to ride with us, come on out,” use.” riding in the front of the escort,” said Grim. added Grim. “All I ask is that you dress approThat all changed on Nov. 13, 1968, when “We will then go east on Elliott out to the priately and that all Vietnam veterans get to Grim was part of a routine operation sweeping Domersville Road overpass where we will ride in the front.” an area near Lai Kai. They came upon a large get on U.S. 24 heading west to the Baltimore Anyone wanting more information on the Viet Cong base camp and began taking heavy Road exit. We’ll then follow Baltimore to motorcycle escort may contact Grim at 419-438- fire. Six U.S. servicemen were killed that day Holgate Avenue and go past the Defiance Fire 0611. and Grim was one of 56 soldiers wounded. He Department on Third Street. Grim is a natural fit for his duties with the was shot through the jaw and in the shoulder “We will then turn north onto Clinton Street motorcycle escort. A life-long car and motorand had the field radio on his back shattered and pause for a moment of silence in front cycle hobbyist, he retired from the General by another round. Eventually, Grim was lifted of the veterans memorial at the courthouse,” Motors Defiance Casting Operations plant in into an evacuation helicopter by basket and explained Grim. 2006 after 40 years as a millwright. He also flown to a hospital near Saigon where he spent There are plans for a large U.S. flag to be holds lifetime memberships in the Defiance a month. hung across the street just north of the courtposts of the DAV, VFW and AMVETS, servAfter a two-week stay at a hospital in Japan, house between aerial trucks from the Archbold ing as commander of the AMVETS Post for 14 Grim was transferred stateside and arrived at and Defiance fire departments. The procession months. Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., on will continue north on Clinton to Stadium A native of Uniontown, Pa., Grim followed Christmas Day 1968. Drive where it will turn east to Webster Street. an uncle to the Defiance GM foundry follow“The folks at Walter Reed were the best peoThe wall will reach its destination on ing high school graduation in 1966 and began ple in the world,” said Grim. Webster Street where it is planned to be erecthis work as a millwright. Everything was With the help of his doctors at Walter Reed, ed on the large grassy area between Whitney going along quite well for Grim until notified Grim was able to get his five months early and McReynolds halls. in December of 1967 that he had been drafted. out and return to Defiance and his job at the Grim noted that there will be paved parking He was inducted into the Army in January of foundry. He credits his co-workers at GM and available for motorcyclists at both the K of C 1968 in his hometown and was sent to Vietnam the people of the Defiance community for helphall and in a lot behind the college dormitories. in June of that year as a member of the First ing ease his return to civilian life.

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Phil Schackow lost battle to Agent Orange in 2011 By DARLENE PRINCE

@cnDarlenePrince prince@crescent-news.com

hen U.S. military members were serving their country during the Vietnam War, in addition to the enemy, they faced an unknown danger that has come back like a plague later in their lives to claim many victims. This danger was exposure to the herbicide, Agent Orange. Agent Orange was an extremely effective herbicide that was sprayed on the foliage in Vietnam to kill the jungle growth so soldiers could see the enemy. Many military personnel were in areas during and immediately after the areas were sprayed. No action was taken at the time to protect these servicemen from contact with the herbicide. The longterm effects of the chemical, dioxin, in Agent

Orange, were unknown at that time. The Veterans Administration now recognizes about 40 diseases caused by Agent Orange. These include prostate cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus II, non Hodgkin’s lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma, multiple myeloma, cancers of the lung, bronchus, larynx and trachea and many more. Phil and Darlene Schackow, of rural Defiance, dealt with the effects of Agent Orange for years, as have many northwest Ohio Vietnam veterans. Phil lost his battle with Agent Orange on Nov. 27, 2011, after undergoing extensive, and some very painful medical procedures to defeat thyroid cancer.

Phil Schackow

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darlene said, “We met at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, when I was an LPN, in November 1971.” Darlene was recovering from a bad car accident in 1969, when the vehicle she was driving was hit head on. She suffered severe injuries, especially to one of her legs, and was trying to finish her RN studies while dealing with many surgeries to her leg. “We talked together, dated for a while and were married in 1972,” she said. “Phil had graduated from Defiance (High School) in 1966,” she said. “He went to GM (Defiance) in 1966 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He went into the service on Oct. 4, 1967, and in August 1969 was sent to Vietnam. He left the service in November 1970, but remained in the Reserves for a number of years.” The areas where Phil was stationed in Vietnam were two of the most heavily sprayed with Agent Orange. “When he was diagnosed with diabetes, it was connected to Agent Orange,” she said. “In 2001, he had his prostate removed because of cancer. His tests kept coming back saying he had cancer, but they could not figure out where it was in his body. At Ohio State, they finally found the cancer on the back of his neck, on the back of the thyroid. It was easy to miss. Between 20-30 doctors who looked at him had him take tests and they could not figure out where it was. “It was a very aggressive cancer,” she said. “When they asked us if we wanted to fight this thing or go to hospice, Phil decided he would fight it. The cancer had gone into his lungs and destroyed them. He used a drinkable radiation and had radiation treatments every day. The treatments blistered his skin. He couldn’t talk or eat, so they put in a feeding tube. The doctor said he knew Phil had to be going through hell with the pain. He said he would never forget us or our family.” The Schackows have two children, Brent Schackow and Julie Gallant, and five grandchildren. Phil did come home for a while, but Darlene and Phil’s best friend, Ralph Lloyd, who came often to see him, could see that his condition was deteriorating. She said, “On Nov. Phil Schackow 25 (2011), his lung served in the U.S. collapsed. LifeFlight Navy during the Vietnam War. He took him to OSU, died from effects and he died on of Agent Orange in Nov. 27. He was 2011. Both Phil and 63. his wife, Darlene, “He was an worked to help bring the Memorial Wall to easy-going guy Defiance. with a wonderful personality,” she said. “He was very proud of the mili-

tary and his service. He was my moral and my physical support. Phil was the one who always encouraged me. He took care of me.” To support the project of bringing The Moving Wall — Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Defiance, Darlene donated $2,500 in Phil’s memory. Phil had been on the committee working on the project before he died. Darlene and Vietnam veteran George Schindler will be placing the wreath at the Vietnam Wall ceremony in remembrance of all of the veterans who have died from Agent Orange. Phil Schackow, from rural Defiance, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Schackow is shown while he was in Vietnam. Later in life, he was affected by exposure to Agent Orange, developed cancer and died in 2011.

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RED HORSE serves all over the world Arctic Ocean. It was a little cold,” Chief Master Sgt. Michael Crosser said. Crosser and some volunteers from the 200th ne of the featured guests when the will be in Defiance with some of the equipMoving Wall — Vietnam Veterans ment the squadron uses on deployments and also to answer questions and provide inforMemorial is in Defiance, June 12-15, did not serve in the Vietnam mation. “Anytime we can support a community and War. veterans organizations, it’s a good deal. We The 200th RED HORSE want to get the word out about our unit. A lot Squadron, whose home base is of folks do not know who we are and at the Camp Perry Air National what we do,” Crosser said. Guard Station just outside of Port Clinton, was Crosser has already made friends formed at the tail end of the conflict. and might be a relative of Will But the Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Wagner, a former member of the Operations Repair Squadron, Engineering unit has 823rd RED HORSE Squadron. played an important role not only in Ohio and the Wagner served in Vietnam in 1967United States, but all over the world. 68 and operated a big tire bullThe 200th was the first Air National Guard RED dozer. He was born in Defiance HORSE squadron activated on Sept. 25, 1971. Since County and now lives in rural then, it has been as far north as the Arctic and as far south as the equator and a number of places in Napoleon. He has been to meetings concerning the wall coming between. to Defiance. “I’ve been to the top of world, down to “Actually I talked to him Honduras, Guam, Asia and Europe. I have when I was down there for deployed to the Arctic and actually swam in the

"Anytime we can support a community and veterans organizations, it’s a good deal. We want to get the word out about our unit."

By AL SMITH

@cnalsmith outdoor@crescent-news.com

Michael Crosser Chief Master Sgt.

Thank you

This wall is not big enough to hold the accolades due but our hearts and minds are. In memory of all those who have served.

THANK YOU

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a site visit. I have to do a little more research, but I think he and I might be cousins. A long line of Wagners come from Defiance and my grandmother was Gladys Wagner. She married Ben Stuckey and they moved to Port Clinton in the 1940s. I was to family reunions as a little kid early ’60s,” Crosser said. The squadron performs engineering missions where it is needed, according to Crosser, “... Whether it is a goodwill partnership with other nations or as contingency wartime operations support.” He added, “We’ve been to the tundra, the jungle, the desert and to temperate areas. Each area has its unique climate geographically and geologically.” The RED HORSE squadrons were designed as mobile civil engineering units, specific to the needs of the Air Force. They are manned, trained, and equipped to perform heavy repairs, upgrade airfields and facilities, and support weapon systems deployed to a theater of operations. The 200th has been have been deployed three times to Iraq since 9/11. In 2002, it was deployed in support of Enduring Freedom, while in 2005 for support of Iraqi Freedom, and then deployed again in 2010 for support of both Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. According to a press release, during peacetime, all RED HORSE squadrons participate in humanitarian, civic and disaster relief efforts. The peacetime activities of the 200th RHS include actively supporting the local civilian community by performing various civic action projects. These projects include, but are not limited to, Habitat for Humanity, snow removal, tornado recovery and flood relief efforts throughout Ohio. The 200th’s mission is to provide the Air Force with a highly mobile civil engineering response force to support contingency and special operations worldwide. According to the same press release, the 200th is a self-sufficientperson mobile squadron capable of rapid response and independent operations in remote, high threat environments worldwide. It provides heavy repair capability and construction support when requirements exceed normal base civil engineer capabilities and where Army engineering support is not readily available. The squadron possesses weapons, vehicles/equipment and vehicle maintenance, food service, supply and medical equipment.

Dr. Foy is accepting new child and adolescent patients Serving Northwest Ohio Counties since 1960 Defiance Williams Henry Fulton

A red horse rears on its hind legs as part of the sign of the 200th RED HORSE Squadron, the Ohio Air National Guard unit stationed at Camp Perry, located just outside of Port Clinton.

www.maumeevalleyguidancecenter.org

Al Smith/C-N Photo

Honoring All Who Served

Veterans Service Commission Of Henry County

1855 Oakwood Ave

Napoleon, OH

(419) 592-0956

Offering…  Counseling ServicesSupportiveIndividual-Marriage-Group-Family Services Psychiatric for ServicesAdults & Children Veterans Medication and Management Services Families Case Management ServicesAdults & Youth Enhancing quality of EMAIL: the mvgc@defnet.com  Clubhouse Program life for those we serve 419-785-3825 Serving: Defiance, Williams,& Drug Addiction Services  Alcohol or Henry, PauldingSenior and Fulton Prevention Services 211 Biede Avenue counties 800-569-3980  Veterans Supportive Services Defiance, OH 43512 Enhancing the Quality of Life for Those Integrated We Serve Health Care 800-569-3980 Funded in part by: Four Co ADAMhs www.maumeevalleyguidancecenter.org Funded in part by: Four Co. ADAMhs Board and United WayBoard and United Way Offering to Veterans:

16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Wagner operated big tire dozer

RED HORSE Squadron and trained at Elgin Air Base in Florida. RED HORSE is an hen Will Wagner acronym for Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations joined the Air Repair Squadron, Engineering. Force in 1965, Wagner wound up operating he wanted to a rubber tire bulldozer with the be an aircraft 823rd. mechanic. “I always liked working in dirt He figured since he was color and being around big equipblind he likely would not meet ment,” he said. that goal. He was correct since he A 1963 graduate of Jewell High could not differentiate between School, Wagner figured since, “I the colored wires. was single and had no plans to operhe r Wagner, who became a serze o ld ul get married, I’d get drafted.” eb agner nt of a big tir geant, did oversee the flight line stands in fro Vietnam from 1967-68. W r Thus, he took advice from his ne g a y W a ill W runw in Hoa Air Base ORSE Squadron that did while stationed at Forbes Air uncle, the late Jim Wagner, who H ated at Bien D the 823rd RE Base in Topeka, Kan. was a Korean War veteran and was part of er work at the base. th In 1967, he joined the 823rd repair and o eventually a barber in Defiance. By AL SMITH

@cnalsmith outdoor@crescent-news.com

Compliments of

CITY BEVERAGE CO. 08283 St Rt 66 N, Defiance, Ohio (419) 782-7065 www.beercocitybev.com

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . He added, “We had “He had been shot up in good officers. As a matter Korea. He said, ‘Don’t go of fact, Col. Coffee said into the Army or Marines. he was from Fort Wayne. Join the Air Force.’ So I I always wanted to look went and talked to an Air that up but never did. We Force recruiter,” Wagner had a Lt. Bell and a Sgt. said. Howell and we made a Wagner wound up in Wagner bit of fun of that — Bell Vietnam at Bien Hoa Air and Howell.” Base in September 1967. He was He also mentioned Vietnam stationed there until the followhad, “a special smell.” He added, ing September. While there, the “Once you got off the aircraft, it 823rd did what RED HORSE hit you. Most guys will tell you squadrons do. that. And you could never get He laughed and said he got to Vietnam “flying backwards.” away from the heat. It’s tropical and you just could not get away He explained the C141 he was from the humidity.” on had seats that faced toward Wagner visited Saigon once the back of the plane instead of and saw an orphanage there. toward the cockpit. It was his only trip to that city “We did bomb damage repair since Saigon, “was off lim... runways had to be repaired. We also built a lot of streets and its after the Tet offensive.” Wagner’s base was overrun for some ditch and creek courses. And we did a lot of water wells. three days during Tet, which was a series of surprise attacks They had no clean water,” he by a combination of Vietcong said. His squadron also helped build and North Vietnamese forces that began on Jan. 31, 1968. That a chapel at the base. Wagner recalled a humorous moment he is first day of the Lunar New Year and was Vietnam’s most had there with a priest during important holiday. Advent. Wagner declined to comment The priest had read from Isaiah on combat, but did say, “I didn’t 40:3, which states “Make ready have to endure what a lot of our the way of the Lord, make His guys did, but I’ve seen enough paths straight!” to know that war was not good.” Wagner recalled, “I said, He said he has always been ‘Father, that sounds like a job for the RED HORSE,’” he said with patriotic and had no regrets being in the Air Force. a laugh. “You reach certain steps in He also remembered incidents life. If there is a war, you go and that seemed harmless at the serve. I was no great warrior, time. but I did my part. I was proud “One time we were in an area to be a part of the RED HORSE where they had munitions and Squadron,” he said. they were moving 55-gallon Wagner was discharged early drums and stuff was spilling out of them and we walked through and was home Sept. 3, 1968, two days before his sister got marit. They said it was a defoliant. ried. As farm kids, we knew what a He retired from Vernon Nagel defoliant was. They just never Inc., in Napoleon, where he ran told us it was Agent Orange.” Wagner said it wasn’t all work a bulldozer and heavy equipment. He and his wife live in while he was in Vietnam. “We rural Napoleon. did have some fun.”

OUR VETERANS

OUR HEROES It’s time to honor the brave soldiers who safeguard our peace and freedoms.

1600 East Riverview, Napoleon, Ohio 43545 419-592-4015 • www.henrycountyhospital.org

18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Looking at the memorial

he Vietnam Veterans Memorial would not have been built without the dedication of the veterans themselves. The movement to build the wall began with Vietnam veteran Jan Scruggs, who served as an infantry corporal with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. He along with two other veterans — John Wheeler, who served as captain at the U.S. Army headquarters and Robert Doubek, an Air force intelligence officer — formed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in April 1979. They lobbied for Congress to have a two-acre plot in the Constitutional Gardens for a Vietnam Memorial. Sen. Charles Mathias Jr. of

Maryland agreed and introduced legislation to authorize a site for the memorial while Sen. John Warner of Virginia gave the first “significant” financial contribution to the fundraising campaign. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter approved the legislation to build the memorial. Funds were then raised through various private contributions. No federal funds were used to build the memorial. A total of approximately $9 million was raised. A design was also needed for the memorial. Officials with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund decided to hold a nationwide contest to find the design. Winning designs were awarded $50,000 with the designer of the winning entry receiving a commission to assist the architect of record in

developing the design during construction. The contest was announced in October 1980 and by the deadline in March 1981, there were 1,421 designs submitted. Designs were displayed at the Andrews Air Force Base and judged by a committee of internationally recognized artists and designers. All designs had to meet four criteria — be reflective and contemplative

in character; harmonize with its surroundings; contain the names of those who had died or were missing from the Vietnam War; and make no political statement about the war. The winning design was by Yale undergraduate Maya Ying Lin, an Athens, Ohio, native. Her parents had fled China in 1949 and came to America before she was born. The selection of Ying

The University of Toledo Cardiology Physicians at Fulton County Health Center are proud to support our local Vietnam veterans! Jodi L. Tinkel, MD

Pradeep Bhat, MD

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for a rehab unit. The caring staff at Brookview made the stay much easier. They are a definite asset to the Defiance community.” – Lois B. The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lin’s design did cause some con- direct combat missions. The U.S. Department of troversy. Some people thought Defense supplied the list of it was too simple or would names for the wall. There are look like a “big back scar.” Pat currently 58,286 names listed on Buchanan accused her of being a Communist. Others were offend- the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Names are listed on the wall ed that a Chinese American was chronologically by the date they the architect of a memorial of an were lost. Visitors can also find Asian war. Ying Lin even had to testify in a Congressional hearing what panel a serviceman is listed by visiting http://thewall-usa. to defend her design. She stated com. that any design of the Vietnam Approximately 4.5 million indiMemorial would be controversial viduals visit the wall each year. as it was only six years since the Thousands of artifacts have been war had ended and there were left at the memorial as well. The still many emotional wounds. Congress approved the design in National Park Service collects the items and, with the exception of 1982. Construction on the wall began perishable items and unaltered U.S. flags, stores them at a facilon site in March 1982. In July ity in Maryland. The facility isn’t 1982, the foundation decided to open to the public, but some artiadd a sculpture to the memofacts are part of traveling exhibrial and Washington sculptor its. Other items will be part of Frederic Hart was selected. His the new education center to open sculpture, “Three Servicemen,” this year. was to show the servicemen According to the Vietnam “emerging out of the woods, Veterans Memorial Fund, the looking vulnerable and alone.” underground center will have Their sculptured faces would be “larger-than-life digital displays looking toward the apex of the of the photographs of the fallen, Vietnam Wall, located 150 feet powerful exhibits containing away. The figures were done on some of the more than 400,000 Nov. 8, 1984, and the wall was remembrances left at The Wall, dedicated on Nov. 13, 1982. The as well as stunning visuals and flag pole, which was approved moving narratives recounting the to be added to the site in Oct. nature of combat in Vietnam.” 13, 1982, was also completed in The educational center isn’t the November. only expansion of the Vietnam The wall originally had 58,195 War Memorial since its dedicanames on it, however since its tion. The Vietnam Women’s dedication several names have Memorial was dedicated in 1993 been added. The wall includes as part of the memorial. Former the names of servicemen and Army nurse Diane Carlson women. Originally only those Evans worked to get the monuin the U.S. military who died or ment approved, which depicts were missing in Vietnam, Laos, three uniformed women with a Cambodia and the coastal areas considered in the combat zone 214 Hardingwounded Street soldier. Sculptor Glenna Goodacre were put on the wall. Eventually, TRANSITIONAL CARE I ALZHEIMER’S Defiance, Ohio 44601 of Texas designed the work. the geographic criteria was widened to include those outside the In 2000, a memory plaque was 419-784-1014 TRANSITIONAL CARE I ALZHEIMER’S CARE I LONG TERM CARE approved at the site to “honor war zone, those died of wounds received in Vietnam (except from those who died after service but www.brookviewhealthcare.com www.brookviewhealthcare.com are not eligible for placement on exposure from Agent Orange or the wall due to Department of suicide) and those who died or Part of the Peregrine Family of Ohio-Based Healthcare Communities while on mission or in support of Defense policies.” Part of the Peregrine Family of Ohio-Based Healthcare Communities

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Brookview Healthcare Center would like to honor all those who have sacrificed for something bigger than themselves, the safety and freedom of America.

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20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes For their courage, hard work and dedication to their country, we salute the men & women of our Armed Forces past and present. It is because of their sacrifice that America remains the land of the free, and we thank them for protecting our citizens and our country.

Take Time For Yourself Pamela J. Schaufele, LMT

From the John Schaufele Family

FRED’S FURNITURE WORKSHOP

Fort Defiance Antiques

FRED SCHAUFELE

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God Bless all of our Veterans Evansport United Methodist Men’s Fellowship We Salute all of our courageous Veterans Font Carpentry & Woodworking Paul Font Daniel Font

EVANSPORT CARRYOUT 1582 Evansport Road, Defiance, OH 43512 419-428-4100

Barney’s Bar & Grill Main St., Evansport

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MILITARY CASUALTIES OF THE VIETNAM WAR DEFIANCE COUNTY

Batt, Michael L. , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Behnfeldt, Roger E. . . . . . . . . . . . Chapman, Thomas T. . . . . . . . . . Graham, Kenneth E. . . . . . . . . . . . Hancock, Edward D. . . . . . . . . . . Hesselschwardt, Herman A. . . . . Love, Gary L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wolfrum, Larry V. . . . . . . . . . . . .

FULTON COUNTY

Aeschilman, David K., . . . . . . . . . Bryan, Jerry W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Davis, Robert D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Demaline, Paul A. . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuller, Robert J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kuney, Jerry D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meyer, Terry L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Novak, Thomas E. . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruoff, Roger D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vasko, Richard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wilson, Roy L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HENRY COUNTY

Allen, Dale C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop, Ronnie H. . . . . . . . . . . . . Casarez, Raul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackson, John W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Perez, Hilario O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terwilliger, Virgil B. . . . . . . . . . .

PAULDING COUNTY

Banks, Robert A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bowers, Jerome E. . . . . . . . . . . . . Devers, David R. Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . Johnson, Everett E. Jr. . . . . . . . . . Mendez, Theodore Sr. . . . . . . . . . Merriman, Thomas B. . . . . . . . . .

WILLIAMS COUNTY

Clark, Thomas E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corwin, Edwin H. . . . . . . . . . . . . Farlow, Craig L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Favourite, Ronald L. . . . . . . . . . . Gallant, Roy D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goebel, Marvin E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Klinger, Gary L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Konoff, Kenneth G. . . . . . . . . . . . Saneda, John . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Smith, Allen D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Strait, Bennie H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tucker, Barry G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wise, Rodney D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yarger, Jeffrey J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PUTNAM COUNTY

Earnest Eugene Campbell . . . . . . Richard Joseph Clementz . . . . . . Albert J. Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Michael Dickman . . . . . . . Robert Leo Eickholt . . . . . . . . . . . Marvin Charles Ellerbrock . . . . . Dennis Charles Erford . . . . . . . . . Richard Lee Hopkins . . . . . . . . . . Raynald Jimenez Amador . . . . . . James Howard Miller . . . . . . . . . Jerry Wayne Osborn . . . . . . . . . . Hilario Ochoa Perez . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Gene Schneider . . . . . . . . . . Estaban Wallace Tadena . . . . . . .

3-16-1969, . . . 8-19-1972, . . . 12-10-1968, . . 11-8-1965, . . . 11-22-1967, . . 4-24-1968, . . . 8-28-1967, . . . 5-14-1969, . . .

Panel 29 W Line 50 Panel 1 W Line 68 Panel 37 W, Line 79 Panel 3 E Line 31 Panel 30 E Line 62 Panel 51 E Line 43 Panel 25 E Line 58 Panel 24 W Line 14

1-16-1970, . . . 4-28-1968, . . . 3-11-1968, . . . 8-17-1970, . . . 5-31-1969, . . . 3-12-1971, . . . 1-11-1968, . . . 12-21-1968, . . 11-16-1966, . . M. 2-7-1968, . 5-11-1970, . . .

Panel 14W, Line 037 Panel 52 E Line 34 Panel 44 E Line 15 Panel W8, Line 118 Panel W 23 Line 26 Panel W 4 Line 41 Panel 34 E Line 30 Panel 36 Line 58 Panel 12 E Line 81 Panel 38 E Line 17 Panel W 10 Line 20

6-27-1967, . . . 10-10-1966, . . 4-24-1967, . . . 2-27-1967, . . . 5-31-1970, . . . 3-13-1967, . . .

Panel 22E Line 67 Panel 13E, Line 80 Panel 18E Line 78 Panel 15 E Line 106 Panel 10 W Line 126 Panel 16 E Line 074

3-14-1970, 8-31-1969, 9-30-1966, 5-19-1967, 7-14-1969, 5-10-1970,

... ... ... ... ... ...

Panel W13 Line 125 Panel W18 Line 13 Panel 9 E Line 132 Panel 20 E Line 45 Panel W21 Line 119 Panel W10 Line 13

10-30-1969, . . 12-22-1968, . . 5-17-1972, . . . 5-2-1968, . . . . 4-14-1967, . . . 9-17-1967, . . . 8-30-1968, . . . 4-11-1967, . . . 8-18-1968, . . . 9-25-1967, . . 4-1-1967, . . . 6-18-1970, . . 2-6-1969, . . . . 3-19-1968, . . .

Panel W 16 Line 4 Panel W36 Line 61 Panel W1 Line 26 Panel 54 E Line 6 Panel 18E, Line 26 Panel 26 E Line 84 Panel W45 Line 7 Panel 18 E Line 15 Panel W 48 Line 47 Panel 27 E Line 13 Panel 17 E Line 88 Panel W 9 Line 66 Panel W 33 Line 75 Panel 45 E Line 36

6-3-68, . . . . . . 1-30-68, . . . . . 4-30-69, . . . . . 12-10-68, . . . . 10-22-67, . . . . 5-6-67, . . . . . . 12-9-68, . . . . . 5-12-69, . . . . . 1-11-66, . . . . . 2-18-68, . . . . . 4-1-65, . . . . . . 5-31-70, . . . . . 12-31-66, . . . . 11-7-67, . . . . .

Panel W61, Line 21 Panel 35E, Line 067 Panel W26, Line 83 Panel W37, Line 84 Panel 28E, Line 49 Panel 19E, Line 048 Panel W37, Line 73 Panel 25W, Line 072 Panel 4E, Line 63 Panel 40E, Line 10 Panel 1E, Line 99 Panel 10W, Line 126 Panel 13E, Line 105 Panel 24E, Line 45

AP File Photos

Vietnam veteran Verlin Maglitz of Jacksonville, Ill., pauses as he takes a rubbing of those he fought with in Vietnam during his visit to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington in this photo from 2012. Maglitz was in the Army and served in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division and planned to take rubbings of approximately 45 of his friends.

Home of the Free, Thanks to the Brave.

419-784-9912 1824 E. 2nd Street Defiance, OH

22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

He risked his life Combat medic Daniel Baldwin received a Silver Star by saving wounded soldiers medic during the Vietnam War. Information about the incident, on April 16, 1967, where Baldwin he Silver Star — offi- risked his life numerous times under heavy military fire to help cially the Silver Star Medal — is the United wounded soldiers on the battlefield says: “For gallantry in action States’ third highest against a hostile force. During the military decoration Operation Junction City, Specialist for valor that can be awarded to any person Baldwin was serving as a medical aidman on a company search serving in any capacity with the United States Armed and destroy mission deep in the Viet Cong-infested jungles of War Forces. The medal is awarded Zone C. for gallantry in action against an While moving through the enemy of the United States. dense jungle growth, they were Ayersville resident, Daniel subjected to intense small arms “Whitey” Baldwin, was given the Silver Star for actions he per- and automatic weapons fire formed in his position as a combat from a numerically superior Viet

By DARLENE PRINCE

@cnDarlenePrince prince@crescent-news.com

Rural Defiance resident Daniel Baldwin is pictured in uniform (top left), at high school graduation (top right) and his most recent picture this year.

A Tribute to the Heroes of the Vietnam War

We proudly salute the brave men and women who have served our country & made the ultimate sacrifice. To all those who have served and continue to serve our country.

Thank you! 411 W. Main St., Montpelier, OH 800-272-5588

United we stand behind our veterans and those currently serving our country. Moose Family Center #2094 - Defiance, OH

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 2 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Cong force. During the first few moments of action, Specialist Baldwin’s unit sustained numerous casualties. Despite the enemy fire, Specialist Baldwin unhesitatingly moved forward to administer aid to the wounded. When he discovered a wounded man lying unconscious in an open area, Specialist Baldwin, with complete disregard for his personal safety, ran to the casualty, quickly administered first aid and dragged the man to safety. He then organized litter teams to carry the wounded to a medical evacuation site. Specialist Baldwin continued to move about the area with complete disregard for the enemy fire as he searched for and treated other casualties until the Viet Cong had been routed and all the wounded had been cared for. Specialist Baldwin’s outstanding display of courage and resolution of purpose was directly responsible for saving the lives of many American soldiers.” Baldwin also received the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroism in connection with another incident on March 22, 1967, when he was involved in a similar situation assisting wounded men when his unit engaged a numerically superior Viet Cong force in well-fortified positions. When several casualties were sustained, Baldwin exposed himself to hostile fire to search for the wounded. Discovering a man lying unconscious in the Viet Cong kill zone, Baldwin ignored the heavy volume of insurgent fire, ran to the casualty, administered medical aid and dragged him to safety. He then organized litter teams to evacuate the most seriously wounded to a medevac helicopter landing zone. Asked about his service as a combat medic, he said, “I went to Fort Benning, Ga., for basic training and to Fort Sam

Houston, Texas, where I was told I would be a combat medic.” He was in training for a total of six months before he was shipped to Vietnam. He was in Vietnam from August 1966-August 1967. Baldwin is humble about his actions and his awards. “I did carry an M-16 with me, but I laid it down when I went out to patch people,” he said. “I also carried 200 rounds of machine gun ammo with me out in the field and the jungle. I was in the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, First Division. We were stationed at the Vietnamese end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. At that time, we could not bomb the enemy in Cambodia. Someone would yell “medic” and I would do a lot of crawling to get to them.” One time while he was treating wounded, he said he ran out of field dressings. He usually carried 70-72 field dressings with him. “I never knew what happened to the guys I patched,” he said. “I put them on a helicopter and I don’t even know if they survived. “When I came back to Defiance in August 1967, I was freezing,” he said. “In the jungle it was 90-100 degrees every day and very humid.” While in Vietnam, he got malaria. “I passed out and they put me in a tub of ice to get my temperature down,” he said. Once a person has malaria, the effects of the disease stay with them all of their lives. Baldwin said one of the three most heavily-sprayed areas in Vietnam with Agent Orange was where he was stationed at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He has had severe health complications from his exposure to Agent Orange. “I have diabetic neuropathy in both legs,” he said. He also has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and high blood pressure.

As we remember all that you have done, we thank you for your sacrifice.

Industrial - Commercial - Residential Contractors Ohio Lic. #19086

24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Napoleon native reflects on Vietnam, coming home “I was there for 18 months,” said the retired hen Napoleon native nurse of Carol (Rausch) her time in Nachtrab thinks back on her time in Vietnam Vietnam. “The normal CAROL NAC she remembers workHTRAB (tour of duty) ing in the intensive was a year, but I extended because my stayed care unit at the 67th brother got orders to go to Nam. At that over there so my brother evacuation hospital time, they (the federal government) could wouldn’t have to go.” in Qui Nohn and when the weapons depot only send one family member at a time, For the first year she worked at the 67th just over the mountain was hit and ammo because with what was happening, so many evacuation hospital. went off for days afterwards. She remembers “It was right on the airfield, and we got the working at the drug treatment center in Cam families were losing all their sons in the war so there was a law only one family member wounded directly from the field,” Nachtrab Ranh Bay as well and the ride home when said. The hospital took in about everyone. could be serving in Vietnam at a time. So I she saw how soldiers were being treated.

By LISA NICELY

@CNLisaNicely nicely@crescent-news.com

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prisoners of war were under guard during treatment. There were also Vietnamese patients that got caught up in the war. She said there was one little boy who had burns over 90 percent of his body. He and his family were going through garbage when they hit a land mine. The boy was grafted with pig skin, which was normal at that time. But every hour, nurses had to roll the pus out of his grafts. “At night you would go back there and he had a heat cradle over his bed,” she said. “It was dark and warm in there, (you would) flip back that heat cradle and the cockroaches would just scatter. They had been eating on the pus.” Nachtrab said, however, the cockroaches were keeping the area clean and the boy walked out of the hospital with little scarring. As far as soldiers she treated, Nachtrab said there were so many that went through, it was hard to keep track. “We had a senator’s son come in when I was in the 67th evac, but we didn’t know he was a senator’s son,” she said. “Months later, the senator came and thanked us for saving his son’s life.” She said there used to be reunions for Vietnam personnel in Kokomo that she went to as well. “One guy swore he recognized me and knew me,” Nachtrab said. “He picked me up, hugged me and took me around introducing me to everyone.” Another thing she remembers about the 67th was the night the weapons depot just over the mountain was hit by enemy fire. “It blew the windows out in our ward and all that,” she said. “Of course, we didn’t have lights for a while. You didn’t know if you were going to be attacked by the enemy or not. In cases like that you got people (in the hospital) under the bed or for the most critical (patients), put mattresses around them to protect them as much as you can. We (nurses) then sat around smoking cigarettes trying to keep calm until the majors came around and told us it was all right.” The last few months of service, Nachtrab worked in the intensive care unit at a drug treatment center in Cam Ranh Bay. She had to fly into San Francisco before coming home on leave once. However, at that time airlines allowed servicemen to ride for free but they had to be the last ones to get their luggage under airline rules. “We went to get our luggage and there were quite a few servicemen on the plane. Quite a few came from the field,” she recalled. “Someone got on a microphone and said ‘all servicemen have to wait until the paying customers get their luggage’ before they could step forward. I got that microphone and explained that if they (the public) knew what these men had been through they would carry their luggage. Some people stepped back then and let them get their luggage. Others just rushed ahead.” Nachtrab said afterward she managed to keep herself collected until she got into a taxi to the hotel. “There was this wonderful man in the cab and he said something to me because I was wearing my uniform and I just started crying,” she recalled. “He walked me up to my room, gave me his number and said to call if I needed anything. A few hours later his wife called to check on me because they were worried. Here they had lost two of their sons in Vietnam and were reaching out to see if I was all right.”

We Proudly Salute Our Vietnam Veterans Thank you for your service.

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26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Walz recalls woman with all black teeth By AL SMITH

@cnalsmith outdoor@crescent-news.com

r. Mike Walz figures he didn’t do anything real significant while stationed in Vietnam. He may not have been a grunt on the front lines, but like anyWalz one who served a year’s deployment in the southeast Asian country, he does have an interesting story to tell. Walz served at Cu Chi, which served as base for the 269th Aviation Battalion of the United States Army north of Saigon. He did dental work there from August 1969-August 1970. “It was a really big base and had probably 30,000-plus troops. I was part of a dental detachment with at least a dozen dentists. I worked in a clinic that was an air-conditioned Mike Walz (rig wood structure. We had young Vietnamese girl assistants and he was doing ht) points to a Vietnamese lady’s all black tee dentistr y th while lady was proud of the work in Vietnam in 1969-70. Walz noted worked from 9 a.m.-4 or 5 p.m. each day. In the evenings we the teeth, which turned black by eating a ce nut. went back to little cabins and played volleyball,” he said. rtain Walz spent three years at Defiance College and said he was

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 “lucky to be invited to the dental I have no idea what it was, but everything went off and the school at Ohio State.” He spent our Military whole place lit up for about 20 four years at OSU and after he Heroes graduated he decided to sign up minutes.” He said they did treat some for a two-year hitch in the U.S. local people. Once they treated Army after figuring he likely would be drafted. He was a med- kids at an orphanage in a village run by nuns. Waltz could ical captain in the service. never forget the older woman He was assigned to Fort he treated who had completely Devens, Mass. Walz said once black teeth. you were in the service long “Occasionally local people enough, you had an idea about dates and whether you might be came in. This older lady was real proud of her all black teeth. That shipped out by a certain date. is something that is not in our He said his colonel came up to We recognize the many sacrifices made by our men and DNA. As I understand it, that him one day and told him if he women in uniform both today and throughout our nation’s didn’t hear anything by noon, he came from eating some kind of history. We honor their courage and dedication and we nut which I think was called a likely would not be assigned to thank them for their contribution to our country. beetle nut. Those teeth were as Vietnam. Thank You, Veterans black as coal,” he said. “He came up to me at 11:30 Walz did get to Saigon once and said I just got orders,” and found it to be a classic Asian Walz remembered. “Linda city with bicycles and some (his wife) came back here and taught in Paulding and I went to beautiful parks in the downtown area. Vietnam.” 1822 spruce st., He laughed when recalling While at Cu Chi, Walz and his Defiance, Ohio 43512 fellow dentists spent time doing how he ran into a Boy Scout 419-782-6762 troop. “very routine dentistry.” He “I was walking around the added, “We did a lot of fillings. city and came across this Boy The career dentists did the oral Scout troop. They were dressed surgery, etc.” in classic American Boy Scout Walz said the base got hit uniforms, but they were all twice by a rocket attack. But Vietnamese,” Walz said. his real adventure came while He noted how people are doing dental work at fire bases “much more active in supportthat were about the size of two ing our men and women soldiers football fields. They were procoming home today and thanktected by howitzers along with ing them for their service. I have “some sort of artillery trenches” no hard feelings, but it was a difand surrounded by barbed wire along with Claymore mines and ferent atmosphere coming back from Vietnam.” machine guns. Walz was impressed when he “They airlifted a trailer made into a dental clinic and then they visited Washington in the early 1980s and saw the Vietnam airlifted me in to work,” Walz Memorial. said. “It was the most interest“Walking down into the area of ing work I did in Vietnam. We the memorial, it was absolutely would see the guys who were We salute all veterans for your extraordinary beautiful and haunting. It’s chillout on patrols. I’d inject four or ing and brought tears to my eyes. five at a time and go to work. courage and dedication to our country. I was standing there with my We’d also take some teeth out. son, who was probably 14 or 15 We were able to treat those kids at the time, and took a picture and tried to make them leave (419) 264-0700 of us, which was reflected in the feeling better.” www.vancrest.com memorial. I have been back. It’s a The second time he was at the 600 Joe E. Brown Ave, Holgate fire base, “Something happened, very powerful memorial.”

Honoring

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28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Vietnam was an

Eye-opener for ‘Mo’ Parrish

By TARYN LAWSON

@cntarynlawson |

lawson@crescent-news.com

‘Mo’ Parrish

orris “Mo” Parrish was just 19 in 1965. Fresh out of high school, the former track and field athlete, born in Brazil, Ind., had never ventured beyond the Midwest’s small cluster of “I” states. California, he said, seemed like a foreign country, a different world.

When he returned from a 13-month tour of duty in the Vietnamese jungle as a young man and U.S. Marine in his early 20s, he’d learned much: how to halt a bullet using sand bags, what it sounds like when you’re shot at.

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS DEFIANCE COUNTY CHAPTER NO. 36, DEFIANCE, OHIO

WELCOME HOME to ALL returning service personnel. As a token of our sincere appreciation, we would like to provide you with one year free membership to the Disabled American Veterans. For more information please call Dave at (419) 784-9908 or Tom at (419) 438-5938

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . But the taunts and jeers he and fellow servicemen famously endured at the hands of anti-war protesters upon their return to the states was nothing new to Parrish. That was a feeling he already knew all too well. “Being a black man, I’d always had the short end of the stick,” said Parrish, a Defiance resident who spent 33 years working for General Motors. “I had grown up experiencing that. But the white soldiers were really choked up; here were their own so-called people treating them like dirt. It was depressing.” In 1948, an executive order issued by President Harry Truman abolished racial discrimination in the armed forces, eventually leading to the desegregation of the military, so that blacks, as Parrish put it, “could die like the rest.” Parrish grew up in the epicenter of two of the greatest American protest movements of the 20th century: the anti-Vietnam War movement and the Civil Rights Movement. With the draft looming, he opted to join the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1965, at the height of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. “I didn’t want to be looking over my shoulder,” Parrish said. “I did my three years, got

out, and my buddies were still looking over their shoulders. Until 1976, they were still looking over their shoulders.” He would experience California after all, during basic training, and recalls the 31 sweltering days he spent at sea before arriving on the mist-shrouded Vietnamese coast early on a summer morning. “All the creature comforts you can imagine are gone,” he said. “Everything you know about civilization is gone in war. Those nicesounding rules, the Geneva Convention and all those things people talk about while sipping wine by a fireplace somewhere... You have two rules in war: Kill all of them you can, and survive while doing it.” Stationed near an air base in Chu Lai, Parrish said he was given a job. Not that it mattered. “You’re given a job, but that means nothing,” he said. “In a war zone, you do what’s needed of you, and ‘I don’t know how to do that’ isn’t an option.” Vietnam was a war against communism, something Parrish said he simply hadn’t had an opportunity to consider before he enlisted. “Communism was a term they used overseas,” he said. “My people — blacks — were

WE SALUTE OUR VIETNAM VETERANS

Honoring

Butch Sines, Korean War Veteran

catching hell right here in America. I didn’t have the luxury of thinking about communism in a country halfway around the world.” For many African-Americans, the war drew attention to a frustrating paradox: They were fighting for democracy they didn’t have at home. “(Boxer) Muhammad Ali refused to go; he said, ‘No Viet Cong’s ever called me a nigger.’ It’s what we all wanted to say,” Parrish said. “Even the (Vietnamese) would say, ‘Black Yankee, why are you fighting for the white man? He’s doing you wrong at home.’” It would be a rough return to normalcy for many, Parrish included. “When I returned to Illinois, I was disillusioned,” he said. “I wasn’t going to shave. I was going to be a vagrant and a hermit.” But a $10 bill and orders to cut his hair — both from his father — put him on a different path. He retired from General Motors in 2005, and today, works part time as a driver for the Defiance County Veterans Office. “Growing up, you see those signs — ‘U.S. government property: Keep out’ — and I used to wonder what was behind them,” Parrish said. “I don’t wonder anymore.”

Proudly Saluting Our Veterans. True American Heros.

We celebrate their courage, honor their memories and thank them for all they gave. Their legacy lives on, and we will never forget them.

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30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday, May 25, 2014

BIG TASK Project of bringing Wall to Defiance was complicated

Ric Booher (left) and Tom Wiseman

By DARLENE PRINCE

@cnDarlenePrince |

prince@crescent-news.com

project as complicated as bringing the Moving Wall-Vietnam Veterans Memorial to town would be an enormous undertaking, but even more so in a time frame that would include the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. But those odds did not deter a dedicated group of Vietnam veterans in Defiance, aided by the Defiance County Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office. Ric Booher, the president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Tom Wiseman, a Vietnam veteran and former Defiance mayor, talked about their work with a committee of veterans and other committed citizens to bring one of the traveling walls to Defiance for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. “We started four years ago,” Booher said. “Phil Schackow was in our group but he passed away (in 2011). We put in our bids and were accepted by two wall groups. Tanya (Brunner of the veteran’s office) got the information we needed.” Wiseman added, “Ric and Tanya started it and then began pulling in more people. The last two years we had 10-12 persons working on it. One of the most impressive parts of the project was the coordination between the groups. There was so much commitment by the Vietnam vets and their families.” Wiseman continued, “When I served in the veteran’s office in 1976, we had World War I veterans on the veteran’s board. We had World War I veterans in the VFW and the younger ones were the World War II vets. The Vietnam vets have the same dedication and character as the World War vets had.” Booher added, “Tom started the VVA in

2005 and we now have 120 members. Any Vietnam vets are welcome to join.” The committee met once a month to work out the schedule of the wall being brought to Defiance. They received a great deal of assistance from the Defiance County Veteran’s Office. Veterans’ groups, individuals, churches and other organizations contributed funds to finance the cost of bringing the wall here. Many details were ironed out by the committee volunteers and their work still is not done. Many of the volunteers — veterans and others — will be working during the time the wall is here. Booher said he is working with the group that will help to set up the wall. Some of the local vets will help with security at the wall while it is here. Other volunteers will be manning the welcome tent set up at the college and assisting visitors coming to see the wall. Booher mentioned that golf carts will also be available to shuttle people around the campus. Signs will be posted on the Defiance College campus showing visitors the way to the wall and the display of the Quilts of Tears at the Serrick Center. Everyone involved is hoping for a good turnout at the event.

VETERAN’S ANNIVERSARY YEARBOOK Remembering the 50th Anniversary of the War in Vietnam

All Veterans who served from 19641975; Living or deceased; Having any type of connection with Defiance, Henry, Fulton, Williams and Paulding Counties. To be included in the yearbook at no charge, please contact Veteran’s Office at 419.782.6861 or veterans@ defiance-county.com and ask for an application for the Vietnam Yearbook.

Festival time! On Saturday, June 14, from 5-9 p.m., in conjunction with the display of the Moving Wall-Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Defiance, the second annual Take Me to the Rivers Jazz Festival will be held at Kingsbury Park. This year, the festival’s theme was named “Red Hot Jazz and Blues” in honor of the wall being in Defiance and in honor of Father’s Day, which is June 15.

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Our Veterans We Salute Our Veterans Thank You for Your Service!

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32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans â&#x20AC;˘ Sunday, May 25, 2014

Georgia Kohart/C-N Photo

Bob and LeAnne Breckler stand next to concrete benches they created that commemorate all six military branches. See story on page 33.

Honoring All Who Served Join us as we honor the men and women of the Vietnam War. Their courage, hard work and sacrifice are the backbone of our nation, protecting freedom, liberty, justice and all we hold dear. Thank you, veterans.

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419-679-4127

The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Handmade benches to honor military

America’s Vietnam Veterans:

Standing Tall for Freedom

By GEORGIA KOHART

@cnGeorgiaKohart |

kohart@crescent-news.com

t was an honor for LeAnne and Bob Breckler to comply with a request from the Defiance County Master Gardeners. They carefully created six concrete benches that will commemorate the events surrounding the upcoming visit of the Moving Wall — Vietnam Veterans Memorial. “We’ve been making the benches for a couple of years,” Bob said. “We learned how to make them when we went to a workshop sponsored by the master gardeners.” The Brecklers borrowed the forms required for the molded concrete garden benches four or five times. “Then we decided to try our own,” Bob said. Using concrete mix, the couple quickly mastered the process. After the concrete is poured into the form, it is left to set for about 24 hours. After the pieces are removed from the mold, they must cure for several days. They are kept covered and moist while they cure. The concrete will crack if allowed to dry out too quickly. The forms are good for making about 20 benches before they need to be replaced. Bob cleans up the rough edges with a file. Each bench has an emblem depicting each of the five branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, plus POW-MIA. After the emblems were affixed to each bench, several coats of concrete sealer were applied. “We’ve made 33 benches now,” LeAnne said. “We made one for each of Bob’s 13 siblings and each of our five children. It was a lot of fun.” Bob, who grew up in Defiance, is a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, having served from 1964 to 1967. In a roundabout way, his service to his country is responsible for meeting LeAnne. “My brother, Lonnie, and Bob were on the same ship in the Navy,” LeAnne said. “When we got out of the Navy, he stayed with my family for a couple of weeks and then I went to Wisconsin and visited his family,” Bob said. The Brecklers proudly honor the many members of their family who have or are currently serving in the Army and Navy. Their photos are arranged in a special wall display in their home. According to Jamie Walters, president of the Defiance County Master Gardeners, the benches will be arranged along the sidewalk that will lead to the wall. “The Master Gardeners will landscape in the areas in between each bench,” Walters said. “After the wall exhibit has concluded, the benches will be donated to a local organization that serves and honors our local veterans.”

We proudly salute America’s Vietnam Veterans for their drive and dedication, contribution and courage. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

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Left to Right: Daniel Munger, Brian Morey, Jeff Krugh, Roy Tilley, Bret Mozena, Toby Borstelman, Jeff Fouty, Tyler Pettit, Gary Myers, Jerry Sweinhagen, Moe Gilliland, Mark Baker

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34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Crescent-News / A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans • Sunday, May 25, 2014

Quilts of Tears Collection of 50-60 quilts to be on display

mong the displays during the traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial will be the Quilts of Tears. The Quilts of Tears collection features between 50 and 60 quilts — each made with handmade quilt squares. The collection honors and remembers those who have suffered from or been affected by the deadly effects of Agent Orange.

Measuring nearly 200 feet when placed side by side, the Quilts of Tears collection will be displayed at the Serrick Campus Center at Defiance College from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. June 13-15. The Quilts of Tears project was started by Jennie LeFevre. LeFevre’s husband, Gerald, served during the Vietnam War as an airborne radio operator in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-69. During that time, Gerald’s aircraft carried Agent Orange which he helped load and unload with his bare hands. In 1989, Gerald was diagnosed with several forms of inoperable cancer. Agent Orange is a herbicide sprayed by aircraft during the Vietnam War to destroy foliage exposing the enemy’s ground cover and eliminating their food supply. It has been known to have

A Sincere Thank You for All You Have Done

True American Heros

deadly effects on the veterans who were exposed to it during the war, as well as their children and grandchildren. Following her husband’s death, LeFevre continued working with veterans and widows who were affected by the chemical. While the Vietnam Memorial Wall features just over 58,000 names of veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice, the Quilts of Tears collection features the names of more than 250,000 people who have lived with the devastating effects of Agent Orange. According to the Defiance Quilts of Tears chairman Ruby Schindler, several squares will be on display during the weekend’s events. Those squares will continue to travel with the quilt project and eventually be sewn together to be put on display by the Widows Support Network, of Davenport, Fla. Each quilt square measures 20.5 x 20.5 inches and features an orange background material. Those who create quilt squares may put anything on them that they wish — whether it is a photo of their loved one, messages, personal sayings or insignias. Schindler and her husband, George, a Vietnam veteran, first saw the quilts on display in Chicago. “It was overwhelming. It touched our hearts,” stated Schindler. “The Quilts of Tears are so important to those people who have been affected by Agent Orange. It lets them realize that they are not the only ones out there going through this.”

The Defiance County Veterans Office honors those who contributed to the Healing Field Flags Fundraiser to bring the Vietnam traveling Wall Memorial to our area

The Healing Field of Flags, June 16, 2013 - Pontiac Park, Defiance, Ohio In Honor of All Those Who Protect Serve and Heal our Nation American Legion Post 541 Auxiliary, Continental, Ohio American Legion Post 635, Jewell, Ohio Richard L. & May H. Croy Tim & Nancy DeTray Ladies Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Number 372 Hicksville Piecemakers Quilt Club Scott Lantow Donald J. Mitchell James & Judy Moon Roger D. Richmond Edna M. Ruscigno Charles and Betty Seibel Tuesday Morning Coffee Group Century 21 Strait Realty, Inc. Marita Gallaway The Caring Way Hospice Auxiliary of Defiance County Tiffin Township Volunteer Fire Dept. and EMS Scott Lantow Evansport United Methodist Church Kenneth Adkins - Sponsored by: Laneth Goshia, Kendra Gamble, and Travis Adkins Jerry Andrews - Sponsored by: Ric Booher Tim Baden - Sponsored by: Jane L. Healy David A. Bailey - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America# 954 Daniel R. Baldwin - Sponsored by: Ben, Jen, Amber, Abbey & Wyn Stephen Baldwin - Sponsored by: Mayor & Family Bryan Baldwin - Sponsored by: Mayor & Family Ben Baldwin - Sponsored by: Mayor & Family Charlie Barber - Sponsored by: Norma J. Barber-Hurst Gary L. Barton - Sponsored by: Joanne Barton Kenneth D. Bassett - Sponsored by: Kay & Gene Laney Michael L. Batt, Sgt First Class - Sponsored by: Joe & Terri Stykemain Family Michael Batt - Sponsored by: John and Mary Wagner Cliff Bauer - Sponsored by: Terry Raines Melvin Baxter - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Melvin Baxter - Sponsored by: Grace A. Baxter Daniel J. Becher - Sponsored by: Dan Becher Roger E. Behnfeldt - Sponsored by: The Behnfeldt Family Gilbert Behrens - Sponsored by: Pamela Behrens Thomas Benavidez, Jr. - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Oliver E. Bennett - Sponsored by: Paul Seimet Michael Lynn Bergman, Sr. CSM - Sponsored by: Carroll & Dolena Bergman Delmar Lee Betz - Sponsored by: Bob & LeAnne Breckler Emmett Blevins - Sponsored by: Elizabeth Blevins Ric Booher - Sponsored by: Mrs. Lee Grogg Timothy S. Bowling, Asst. Fire Chief, Defiance - Sponsored by: Karen Bowling and the late Larry Bowling Gary M. Bowers - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Robert Lee Breckler, Sr. - Sponsored by: Bob & LeAnne Breckler Ronald Bretz - Sponsored by: Preceptor Eta Delta Chapter Of Delta Sigma Phi Addison Brunner - Sponsored by: Tanya Brunner & Family Tanya S. Brunner - Sponsored by: Shirley Schlosser (mother) Tanya Brunner - Sponsored by: Sue & Glyn Buntain Larry Bryant - Sponsored by: Mitchell Spencer & Elizabeth Thompson Larry Bryant - Sponsored by: Family of Larry Bryant Daniel Buchholz - Sponsored by: Laura Buchholz John Buchholz - Sponsored by: Laura Buchholz Kenneth Buchholz - Sponsored by: Laura Buchholz Robert Buchholz - Sponsored by: John & Deb Smiddy Eugene Burt – All Marines/All Veterans - Sponsored by: Janet Elliott Norman Byers - Sponsored by: Diana Byers Patty Byland - Sponsored by: Roger D. Richmond Juan Campos - Sponsored by: Abby Guilford Thomas S. Chenhalls - Sponsored by: Teresa Chenhalls Joshua Alan Michael Chester - Sponsored by: The Chester Family Civil Air Patrol Members, Past & Present - Sponsored by: CAP Composite Squadron GLR-OH 261 - Semper Vigilans! Randy Clady - Sponsored by: Randy & Barb Clady, Aaron Clady Randy Clady - Sponsored by: Erin, Isaac, Rose, Nathan, Gabriel, and Christian Orville Clark - Sponsored by: Jane Clark Helene I. Clemens - Sponsored by: Becki Clemens Richard W. Clemens - Sponsored by: Becki Clemens Robert S. Clemens - Sponsored by: Becki Clemens Robert E. Coles - Sponsored by: Daughters, Wende Tressler and Bonnie Brown Virgil D. Courtney - Sponsored by: Jane P. and Ralph Myers Ronald Crawford - Sponsored by: Linda Crawford Daniel L. Curl - Sponsored by: Josephine M. Williamson Dan Curl - Sponsored by: Dee and Greg Hall Harold Douglas Curl - Sponsored by: The John Curl Family John Curl - Sponsored by: Dave & Roberta Vogelsong & Family John L. Curl - Sponsored by: Josephine M. Williamson John L. Curl - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl John L. Curl - Sponsored by: Mr. & Mrs. David Bowling Rory L. Curl - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl George R. Davis - Sponsored by: Betty M. Davis Robert G. Diamond - Sponsored by: Jan & Judith Younger Robert Diamond - Sponsored by: Dave & Roberta Vogelsong & Family Defiance County Law Enforcement Association - Sponsored by: Joanne C. Barton Defiance City Fire & Rescue - Sponsored by: The family of the late Thomas C. Schlosser Andrew Edward Doan - Sponsored by: James A. Rau and Carolyn Peters Charles Frederick Doan - Sponsored by: James A. Rau and Carolyn Peters James Arthur Doan - Sponsored by: James A. Rau and Carolyn Peters Jacob Doane - Sponsored by: James A. Rau and Carolyn Peter Wayne Dockery - Sponsored by: Ronnie Posey Carl O. Doyle - Sponsored by: Vera F. Willitzer James H. Doyle - Sponsored by: Vera F. Willitzer

Marvin D. Duerk - Sponsored by: Colleen, Dale II, Kelly, Sadie, Lilly Worline, Connie Worline and Tim Mc Donough Robert E. Edwards - Sponsored by: Annette Manson Douglas K. Eshem, Sr. - Sponsored by: Judy, Marilyn, Jan, Barb Jason Evans - Sponsored by: Ken & Kathy Ludwig Donald E. Feltz - Sponsored by: Bob Kroeger Nathan Fisher, Dylan Fisher, Alvin Kaufman - Sponsored by: Barb Beebe Steve M. Fisher - Sponsored by: Linda Fisher Donna Forbes - Sponsored by: John R. Forbes Dennis M. Fronk - Sponsored by: The Fronk Family Jack L. Fulton - Sponsored by: Sharon Fulton & Family Adrian Garcia - Sponsored by: Bill & Kathy Giesige Herman A. Gerken - Sponsored by: Paul & Gail Stork Chad Giesige - Sponsored by: Bill & Kathy Giesige Anselmo Gomez - Sponsored by: Marianna Gomez, Patty Hinojosa and Micahael Gomez Concepcion Gomez - Sponsored by: Mrs. Bonnie Gomez Jeffrey Griffith - Sponsored by: Brenda Griffith Steve Grim - Sponsored by: J.D. Grim Nikki Grim - Sponsored by: J.D. Grim J.D. Grim - Sponsored by: Grim Family Grover Hill VFW Post 2873 John Guilford - Sponsored by: Linda, Kirk, Abby, & Kay Guilford Holly Guilliam - Sponsored by: Ralph Lloyd Richard Hanker - Sponsored by: Robert Hanker John P. Harmon - Sponsored by: Jane Reeb Richard Harrow, Doug Harrow, David Harrow And Chris Harrow - Sponsored by: Luetta Harrow Lee Ross Hartoon - Sponsored by: James A. Rau and Carolyn Peters Dale E. Hayward - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America # 954 Ralph Head - Sponsored by: Carolyn Groll Ryan Helberg - Sponsored by: Sharon Greear Art Hoellrich - Sponsored by: Art Hoellrich Family Kenneth G. Hoffman - Sponsored by: Sheryl McCoy Nelson Hoffman - Sponsored by: Craig & Linda Hoffman Dar Hohenberger - Sponsored by: Ilene Hohenberger Jack Lee Hulet - Sponsored by: Arthur Hulet Charles W. Hunt - Sponsored by: Betty A. Rohlf Hunt Robert J. Jackman - Sponsored by: Robert J. & Jean Lightle-Jackman Jerry F. Kline - Sponsored by: Jean Kline Ray M. Koch - Sponsored by: Cindi Zigler Robert E. Kroeger - Sponsored by: Bob & Marge Kroeger John F. Kurvial, VFW Post 3360 & Ladies Auxiliary - Sponsored by: Raymond & Vivian Tack Terry R. Lacy - Sponsored by: Preceptor Eta Delta Chapter Of Delta Sigma Phi Ronnie P. Laney - Sponsored by: Kay & Gene Laney James L. Lehman - Sponsored by: Betty Lehman & Family Jim Lehman - Sponsored by: Dave & Roberta Vogelsong & Family. Rev. Donald Leonard (Pastor) - Sponsored by: Ralph Lloyd Michael Lloyd - Sponsored by: Ralph Lloyd Rev. Virgil Lloyd - Sponsored by: Ralph Lloyd Dolores Long - Sponsored by: Josephine Williamson James Long - Sponsored by: Josephine Williamson Joseph Long - Sponsored by: Josephine Williamson Gary Love - Sponsored by: Robert Sponsler Gary Love - Sponsored by: Aunt Wilma Sponsler Mike Lucas - Sponsored by: Wife, kids and grandchildren Russel & Babe Mansfield - Sponsored by: Russel & Katrina Mansfield, Jr. Charles Marihugh - Sponsored by: Louise Marihugh Elmer Marihugh - Sponsored by: Elmer H. Marihugh Elmer H. Marihugh, Jr. - Sponsored by: Elmer H. Marihugh James (Mike) Markley - Sponsored by: Peggie M. Sponsler (Mom) Robert D. Marshall - Sponsored by: Virginia Marshall & Bonnie Parker Earl Martin - Sponsored by: Josephine Williamson Jeffery Alan Martin - Sponsored by: Mary K. Martin & Rod Martin Rod Martin - Sponsored by: Mary K. Martin Ted Mathes - Sponsored by: Glyn & Sue Buntain Ted Mathes - Sponsored by: Anita Mathes Aaron May - Sponsored by: Bill Giesige Nathan McCandless - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl David D. McCoy - Sponsored by: Sheryl McCoy Edward McCoy - Sponsored by: Sheryl McCoy Sheryl McCoy - Sponsored by: David McCoy Edward McCray -Sponsored by: Preceptor Eta Delta Chapter Of Delta Sigma Phi Lloyd McCray - Sponsored by: Ed McCray Edward McCreery - Sponsored by: Shirley K. McCreery Christopher McDonough - Sponsored by: Tim McDonough & Connie Worline William McDonough - Sponsored by: Tim McDonough & Connie Worline Ray McKay - Sponsored by: Lois Jean McKay Glenn McKibben - Sponsored by: Mark & Suellen Weidenhamer Steve McKibben - Sponsored by: Sam & Jack Kennedy and Maya Epple Paul McMillen -Sponsored by: Pat McMillen James A. Meier - Sponsored by: Rita Meier and Family Tom Merriman - Sponsored by: Ted Mathes Don Metz - Sponsored by: Dick Metz Joan M. Meyer - Sponsored by: Sherrell Meyer John R. Meyer - Sponsored by: Sherrell Meyer Ken Middlebrook - Sponsored by: Josephine Williamson Dorothy Middlebrook - Sponsored by: Josephine Williamson Evan E. Miller - Sponsored by: Edith M. Chandler Ronald J. Miller - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America Verl Miller - Sponsored by: Marilyn Fruchey Drema Miner - Sponsored by: Roger D. Richmond Jack Minsel - Sponsored by: Jane Minsel Kenneth H. Morris - Sponsored by: Shirley A. Morris & Family Francis Ervan Murphy - Sponsored by: J.D. Grim Thomas Kenneth Murphy - Sponsored by: J.D. Grim Donald Myers - Sponsored by: Connie Corwin Richard L. Myers - Sponsored by: Jane P. & Ralph Myers

Corey Newton - Sponsored by: Chris & Karen Newton William A. Ng - Sponsored by: Mrs. Doris Ng Floyd J. Nicely - Sponsored by: Donna Nicely (wife) Oscar Oakman - Sponsored by: Ed McCray Parrish & King Family Veterans - Sponsored by: Dennis & Karen Parrish Michael A. Patterson & Kenneth E. Patterson - Sponsored by: James, Larry & Matthew Thomas McKenize Peffley - Sponsored by: Shirley Groll Jerry Pierce - Sponsored by: Preceptor Eta Delta Chapter Of Delta Sigma Phi Arthur R. Pitzen - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Pastor Becky Ploughe - Sponsored by: Evansport United Methodist Church Bert A. Poth - Sponsored by: Donna M. Poth Thomas R. Powers - Sponsored by: Arthur Hulet James Pratt - Sponsored by: Linda Murphy Thomas L. Rath - Sponsored by: Linda Booher & Thomas N. Rath Thomas A. Rathge - Sponsored by: Heidi, Mandi, Nikki, and Nate James Arthur Rau - Sponsored by: James A. Rau & Carolyn Peters Kenneth Eugene Rau, Jr. - Sponsored by: James A. Rau and Carolyn Peters James Rentz - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America Roger Richmond - Sponsored by: Add & Tanya Brunner Phillip C. Rickard - Sponsored by: Mary C. Rickard Donald Rittenhouse, Sr. - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Donald Rittenhouse, Sr. - Sponsored by: Cindy Rittenhouse Gary Rogers - Sponsored by: Daryle Rogers John W. Rohlf - Sponsored by: Betty A. Rohlf Hunt Du Wayne Roth - Sponsored by: Paul Roth Rickie D. Ruffer - Sponsored by: Ralph Ruffer Krista Sanico - Sponsored by: Lois & William Bennett Phillip L. Schackow - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Phillip L. Schackow - Sponsored by: Juli & Trent Gallant and children Phillip L. Schackow - Sponsored by: Brent & Jennifer Schackow & Family George Schindler - Sponsored by: Ruby Schindler Ruby Schindler - Sponsored by: George Schindler James J. Schlegel - Sponsored by: Jim & Donna Schlegel Thomas (Tom) C. Schlosser - Sponsored by: Family and Friends remembrances Thomas C. Schlosser - Sponsored by: Shirley Schlosser (wife) Tom Schlosser - Sponsored by: Tom and Sharon Potts Thomas C. Schlosser - Sponsored by: Tim Schlosser Family Tom Schlosser - Sponsored by: Greg & Helen Reineke Tom Schlosser - Sponsored by: Dave & Roberta Vogelsong & Family Kerry Schnitz - Sponsored by: Al Schnitz (Grandpa) Schomburg Brothers - Sponsored by: The Schomburg Family Roger P. Schomberg - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 Barton Lee Scott - Sponsored by: Jane E. Scott Sylvester H. “Bud” Seimet - Sponsored by: Paul Seimet John H. Shock - Sponsored by: Jim Shock Douglas Shuptrine - Sponsored by: Edna H. Ruscigno Wayne Lee Smith - Sponsored by: Trudy Smith Vernon Snyder - Sponsored by: Phyllis J. Snyder Juan “Tiny” Soliz - Sponsored by: Mary and David Flores Sons of Amvets, Squadron 1991 Denny H. Sparks - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America #954 John F. Spreeman - Sponsored by: Gladys M. Spreeman Robert S. Steele - Sponsored by: Craig & Linda Hoffman John G. Steffel - Sponsored by: Betty J. Steffel Paul G. Stork - Sponsored by: Gail Stork Randy Strate - Sponsored by: Connie Corwin Greg Strate - Sponsored by: Connie Corwin Joseph A. Sueuer - Sponsored by: Bob & Marge Kroeger Gabriel M. Sulpizio - Sponsored by: Paul W. Sulpizio Arnoldo Trevino - Sponsored by: Tristan Trevino Tristan Trevino - Sponsored by: Tristan Trevino Pastor Nathan Tuff - Sponsored by: Marlene Bockelman John Tuohy - Sponsored by: Al Tuohy VFW Funeral Detail – Post #3360 of Defiance - Sponsored by: Dave & Roberta Vogelsong & Family VFW Funeral Detail – Post #3360 of Defiance - Sponsored by: Shirley Schlosser & Family VFW Post #3360 Honor Guard - Sponsored by: The John Curl Family Donald R. Varner - Sponsored by: Diane E. Hill Roger A. Vogelsong - Sponsored by: Amy C. Smith Wagner & Mumma Families Sponsored by: Will & Pat Wagner Bill Wagner - Sponsored by: Bill & Linda Wagner Terry L. Watson - Sponsored by: Vietnam Veterans of America#954 Terry L. Watson - Sponsored by: Dan & Rita Buchman Terry Watson - Sponsored by: Jody Watson Richard Wahl - Sponsored by: Chris & Karen Newton Don Weidenhamer - Sponsored by: Mark & Suellen Weidenhamer Ray D. Wheeler - Sponsored by: Shirley K. McCreery David W. Whitaker - Sponsored by: Betty Whitaker Michael Whitman - Sponsored by: Preceptor Eta Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi Fredrick Wichman - Sponsored by: Family of Fredrick Wichman Michael T. Willee - Sponsored by: Bob & Marge Kroeger George D. Williamson - Sponsored by: Josephine M. Williamson George Williamson - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl Kenneth Williamson - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl Nelson G. Williamson - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl Robert Williamson - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl Roy Williamson - Sponsored by: Ruth A. Curl Jerry C. Wise - Sponsored by: Denise Pauken James R. Wiseman - Sponsored by: Nick Hill Dale R. Worline - Sponsored by: Colleen & Family Robert P. Yocklin - Sponsored by: Sally Yocklin Brenda Young - Sponsored by: Ralph Lloyd Bradley J. Zipfel - Sponsored by: Irene Zipfel Gary Zipfel - Sponsored by: Irene Zipfel Thomas Zipfel - Sponsored by: Irene Zipfel Chad Michael Zolman - Sponsored by: Joe and Deb Zolman

Defiance County Veterans Office • 1300 East Second St., Defiance • 419-782-6861

Stykemain Buick GMC

SALUTES OUR VETERANS They’ve served our country with courage and honor. They’ve left loved ones behind to risk their lives to protect their country. They’ve defended our freedom and ideals.

Left to Right: Bill Ford (U.S. Army), Hobie Calvin (U.S. Navy), William (Billy) Nossaman (U.S. Army), George Lasley (U.S. Army), Josh Duncan (U.S. Army National Guard), Alex Behrman (U.S. Army National Guard)

Thank you, Veterans, for your brave & selfless service to our nation. 25124 elliott Rd., defiance, oH

419-784-5252

The New Class of World Class

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