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The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall visited El Campo Texas, July 16-20, 2015. VVA Chapter #1069 and its membership participated in the 5-day long event. A special Memorial Service was presented by the Chapter on Saturday morning, July 18, which had also been designated by event planners as "Vietnam Veterans Day". Above photo shows all VVA Chapter 1069 members that participated in the Memorial Ceremony.
CLICK HERE to View or Print the Official 5-Day Event Flyer
Memorial Crosses Service presented by VVA Chapter 1069 of El Campo, Texas
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The "Salute to Vietnam Veterans" Memorial Service was presented Saturday morning, July 18th at 10:00 AM. The guest speaker was Robert Floyd of Austin. During the ceremony, a special "Memorial Crosses" (aka Rose Ceremony) service was presented by the entire membership of local VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) Chapter #1069. The Memorial Service honored soldiers from Wharton County who were "Killed in Action" (KIA) during the Vietnam War and also included those soldiers who are still listed as "Missing in Action" (MIA). Twenty-eight small white crosses (see photo at left), each with a hanging dog tag, was placed in front of the Wall for viewing. The service itself included the calling out of the names of those soldiers who did not survive the Vietnam War. As each name was called out, a chapter member came forward and laid a red rose at the base of each cross. At the end of the Service, 28 white crosses were presented to the family members of those KIAs honored in the Service. Also, two black crosses representing two MIA soldiers were presented to family members. All crosses and bases were hand-crafted and painted by members of VVA Chapter 1069. The dog tags were made (stamped) by Don Dorsey of Austin. Several companies in El Campo also donated material and labor to help make the crosses, and also donated other items for the Memorial Service. CLICK HERE to View or Print the official Memorial Service Flyer CLICK HERE to view list of the 28 Wharton County Vietnam War KIA & MIA soldiers honored in the Rose Ceremony |
SATURDAY, JULY 18th was Declared as "Salute to Vietnam Veterans" Day
VVA Chapter 1069 Presented Vietnam KIA & MIA Memorial Service
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Robert Floyd (above photo left) served in the Army in Vietnam and chaired the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee, the organization that built the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (above photo right) on the grounds of the State Capitol in Austin, Texas. The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument honors the men and women of Texas who served with courage and dignity in the Armed Forces of the United States of America during the Vietnam War. Entombed inside are the names of 3,417 Texans who gave their lives so that others might be free. The monument was presented to the People of Texas by the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee March 29, 2014. VVA Chapter 1069 and all its membership want to express their thanks to Robert for speaking at the Memorial Service and to also thank him for all his effort in making the TCVVM a reality for all Texas Vietnam Veterans.
Be sure to click on the link below to learn all about the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument project and be sure and watch the "Welcome" video from Robert Floyd. You may also take a Virtual tour of the TCVVM.
CLICK HERE to View Welcome Video from Robert Floyd on the TCVVM
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Don Dorsey (above photo left) was part of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee that created the 3417 Project in 2012 to honor the 3,417 Texans who died in the Vietnam War. Committee member Don Dorsey, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran of the Vietnam War, led the creation of the Heroes Exhibit (above photo right) by hand embossing the tags with the assistance of Marine Corps veteran James Hart.
It was Don Dorsey who volunteered his time to stamp each individual's name on the dog tags that will be hanging from our Memorial Service Crosses. VVA Chapter 1069 wants to warmly thank Don for his contribution to our Memorial Service and for his continued support of all Texas Vietnam Veterans.
CLICK HERE to read about Don Dorsey and the 3417 project
Photos of Chapter Members Participating in Memorial Service
Leonard Sternadel (above photo), president of local VVA Chapter 1069, gives the opening speech at the Memorial Service,
held the morning of July 18th, 2015, at the Traveling Memorial Wall. Leonard spoke of the names on the Wall and
what they mean to Vietnam Veterans. Leonard also told his own personal emotional story of a fellow soldier (and close
friend) that he knew while he was in Vietnam, and whose name is on the Wall. For other chapter members too, there are
names on the Wall that have a deep and profound meaning for them.
Above photo shows Chapter member, Joe McCreary giving the opening prayer.
Above photo shows Chapter vice-president, Frank Kulcak, introducing Robert Floyd, the guest speaker for the Memorial Service.
Above photo shows special guest speaker, Robert Floyd of Austin, speaking about the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans
Monument (TCVVM) located on the Capitol grounds in Austin, Texas, and the special meaning it has for all Texas Vietnam
veterans. The Monument was completed and officially dedicated in March of 2014. Robert Floyd was instrumental in
the creation of the Monument.
28 VVA Chapter 1069 members line up and prepare for the special Memorial Service (aka The Rose Ceremony). Each member
carried a red rose that was then placed at the foot of the Wall panel where the name of a Wharton County Vietnam serviceman
that was either killed in action or is still missing in action.
As each Vietnam KIA or MIA servicman's name was called out, a Chapter member would move forward, place the rose at
the base of the cross, step back and salute. There were 26 white crosses that represented the KIAs and 2 black
crosses that represented the MIAs.
Above photo shows VVA 1069 chapter members (left to right) Buck Matthews, Calvin Mahlmann, Jimmie Neuman,
Daniel Svec, Louis Milder, and Auggie Limas, waiting their turn to place a rose on the cross during Saturday's ceremony.
Above photo shows chapter member, Auggie Limas, placing a rose at the foot of soldier PFC Foster F. Trigg's Memorial cross.
Above photo shows chapter member Robert Boone, saluting soldier SP4 Allen S. Mican.
Hallettsville VVA Chapter 854 provided the Color Guard duties for the Memorial Service with
a 21-gun salute. Chapter 1069 wishes to thank the Hallettsville VVA chapter members for
volunteering their time and providing this service.
Above photo shows the Service nearing the conclusion as the last few KIA & MIA soldier's names
are being called out.
Above photo shows VVA chapter 1069 President Leonard Sternadel giving a final "Order Arms" command to
the chapter members, and they in turn giving one final salute to those whose names are on the Wall.
Above photo shows all 28 VVA Chapter 1069 members at the conclusion of the Memorial Service, facing the crowd. They are
(from left to right): Randy Ratcliff, Len Matula, Mark Pilcik, Tony Nemec, George McKelvey, Marcial Sorrell,
Bob Riley, Frank Schmermund, Frank Kulcak, Daniel Sloan, Paul Kovar, Buck Matthews, Calvin Mahlmann, Jimmy Neumann,
Daniel Svec, Louis Milder, Auggie Limas, Paul Francouer, Robert Boone, Richard Woods, Larry Wetz, Felipe Castro, Paul Orsak,
John Wicke, Ron Miller, Harold Simmons, Stephen Brady, and Bob Supak.
At the conclusion of the Service, each chapter member then presented the Memorial cross to those
family members that had attended the Service, for them to take home with them.
Above photo shows VVA Chapter 1069 member Stephen Brady presenting the family members of MIA solder Air Force Master
Sergeant James H. Calfee, who was missing in action (MIA), with the black memorial cross.
Above photo shows VVA Chapter 1069 member Bob Supak presenting Katheleen Appling, the sister of KIA soldier
WO1 Tommie Lee Rolf, with the white memorial cross and rose.
Above photo shows VVA Chapter 1069 member Paul Orsak presenting the family of KIA soldier SP4 Frank G. Michulka
with the white memorial cross.
After the Memorial Service, all Vietnam veterans gathered together for a group photo in the school gym.
Above photo shows Leonard Sternadel, President of VVA chapter 1069, presenting special guest speaker,
Robert Floyd, with an appreciation plaque for his speech at the Memorial Service and for his leadership
in the creation of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (TCVVM). Seated (left to right) are Don
Dorsey and State Representative Phil Stephenson.
Above photo shows Leonard Sternadel, President of VVA chapter 1069 presents special guest, Don Dorsey,
with an appreciation plaque for stamping the dog tags that were used in the Cross and Rose ceremony.
Seated (left to right) are Robert Floyd and State Representative Phil Stephenson.
Information about the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall
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The Traveling Wall is a 3/5 scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC - see image to the left. It stands six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. The Traveling Memorial stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. It was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their home town who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington. |
Information about the online Virtual Wall
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Welcome to the Traveling Wall. Feel free to take a look at our website, read about what we have to offer, and please contact us with any questions you might have in regards to the Memorial Wall coming to your town. Click on the image to the left to visit the Traveling Wall website and read more about the history and travel schedule for the Traveling Wall. |
SPONSORS AND DONATIONS
The following Corporate and Civic organizations & companies either sponsored the event, donated money or volunteered labor/time to the event itself or event programs. Event officials and all local Veterans organizations want to express their deep thanks and gratitude to those below for supporting all Veterans and for supporting this event.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
CIVIC SPONSORS
DONATIONS/VOLUNTEERS
