A large crowd of approximately 165 veterans and their families and friends was on hand at the Vietnam Commemorative Ceremony held Wednesday, March29.

Sponsored jointly by HCI Hospice Care Services and Mount Ayr American Legion Post 172, the event honored all veterans who saw service during the Vietnam Era.

Keynote speaker for the event was former Congressman Leonard Boswell, who shared stories of his own time in the Vietnam War and honored veterans and their families for their great sacrifices during that time.

Veterans in attendance were then called forward one-by-one to receive a pin from Congressman Boswell as their service duty was read aloud.

Veterans honored at the ceremony included Larry Oshel, Philip Burmeister, Donnie Stringham, Owen Martsching, Jack Main, Leonard Boswell, John Thorpe, Denny Abel, Shirley Wallace, Wendell Wallace, Cathy Kilgore, Frank Gunsolley, David Lynch, Ronald Loomis, Jack Cook, Bill Stump, Kenneth Schaefer, David Wright, Gary Saville, Jim Brand, Terry Son, Kenneth Walter, John Barber, Gail Mapes, Brad Holden, John Cline, Robert Creveling, Jeremiah Murphy, Alan Jones, Bob Shay, Dick Snethen, Larry Denney, Morris Carpenter, Preston Hayse, Danny Lutrick, John Shafer, Bill Stull, Leonard Swank, Danny Webb and Jerry Haley.

Families of fallen veterans were also honored with a pin and a memorial rose.

The fallen veterans included Ronald Yashack, Charles Everett Merritt, Vernon L. Hacker, Howard Wayne Reece, Michael Son and Charles Edward Sissel.

Following the ceremony, those in attendance enjoyed a meal prepared by Post 172 as well as a great deal of reminiscing and conversation.

Additional support for the event came from American Legion Auxiliary, Jan Ford, Greg Mobley, CGI Foods, Hy-Ve Foods, City State Bank, PCSB Bank, Great Western Bank, US Bank and Mount Ayr Record-News.

A large crowd estimated at 165 community members attended the ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans Wednesday evening.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2017