The vigil began with an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. May 27 and names of fallen Vietnam servicemen and women were read every hour for 24 hours until the closing ceremony at 2 p.m. May 28.
“I’d like to welcome you to veterans’ park and give thanks to the Vietnam veterans for putting on this vigil,” Union Township Trustee Robert McGee said during the opening ceremony. “They are to be commended for this task on an annual basis.”
According to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 649, the vigil began in 1993 to honor fallen heroes from the area who died during the Vietnam War.
The tradition grew from there, and today, crosses are displayed, flags are placed on top of the crosses and hundreds of names are read each year to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Many veterans and volunteers remain at the park to read names each hour for 24 hours.
“I went to high school with Dennis, one of the fellows whose name was read,” Mark Brandon, a member of VVA Chapter 649 said at the ceremony. “He was killed in 1969 in Vietnam. That is one reason I come back every year.”
Jenny Hadley, who came to the ceremony with her daughter and granddaughter, also came to remember a loved one.
“My uncle died in Vietnam,” Hadley said. “I think it is important for other generations to realize we have our servicemen and to recognize them.”
Commissioner Bob Proud and State Representative Danny Bubp spoke during the event, and both discussed the importance of Memorial Day.
“It’s not all about barbecues and the pool opening,” Proud said. “Memorial Day is all about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Proud thanked residents for attending the event and thanked the families of men and women in the military for raising such heroes.
“This place should be packed,” Proud said about the ceremony. “Hopefully there are other things going on in recognition of what Memorial Day is all about.”
State Representative Danny Bubp, the keynote speaker of the ceremony, said one of the most valuable commodities Americans have are the men and women who take the oath to defend the United States Constitution.
“Thank you all for what you’ve done,” Bubp said to the veterans and the servicemen and women during the ceremony.
Bubp said it is sad to think that Americans would treat veterans like they did after the Vietnam War and stressed the importance of recognizing veterans and supporting those who serve.
“I really appreciate, despite this heat, you all being here today,” Bubp said. “It’s sobering when you think about what each of those crosses represents.”
Volunteers and veterans remained at the park reading names of fallen Americans from Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio for 24 hours. The vigil concluded with a closing ceremony at 2 p.m. May 28.