Area Vietnam Veterans honored by DAR at appreciation event


Ron Roese of Waukon (pictured above) and Dennis Mason of Marquette (pictured below) were among the Vietnam War veterans who took part in the veteran appreciation event hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) September 17 in West Union. Hannah Lee Chapter DAR member Jill Amdahl of Decorah is pictured placing the commemoration pin on each veteran. Submitted photo.

Fayette County Fairgrounds Pavilion was the site Saturday, September 17 for an event organized by Hannah Lee Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to honor Vietnam War veterans. In partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration the DAR chapter recognized the veterans for their service, valor and sacrifice.  Between veterans, guests and others, more than 100 people attended the honorarium.

The 50-year commemoration of the Vietnam War was authorized by the 2008 Department of Defense Authorization Act. Hannah Lee Chapter had chosen to be a partner in this commemoration. This event in West Union was the second such appreciation staged by Hannah Lee Chapter this year.

The event began with presentation of colors by Jake Blitsch and Richard H. Witt, members of Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 of Oelwein. DAR member Valerie Pecinovsky of Protovan led the Pledge of Allegiance.  The invocation was given by Rev. Terry Lee Landsgaard.  Opening ceremonies were followed by a luncheon.

The presentation of certificates began with the families of two Fayette County members of the armed forces who gave their lives in the conflict.  Ron Ward of Fayette accepted the certificate in remembrance of his brother, Eugene Ambrose Ward, Private First Class, U.S. Army from Maynard. Accepting the award in memory of David William Michael, Specialist 4th Class, U.S. Army of Oelwein were his siblings, Rita Basquin of Hiawatha and Roger Michael of West Union. Upon presentation of these awards, the attendees rose for a standing ovation in memory of these who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Hannah Lee Chapter Regent Rebecca McCabe of Cresco began the presentation of certificates to those veterans assembled. Each veteran was called forward and presented with a certificate of appreciation, pinned with a 50th anniversary commemoration pin, and given additional commemoration materials. McCabe was assisted by members Jill Amdahl of Decorah and Valerie Pecinovsky.

As part of this commemoration, Navy Seabee veteran Ed Blume of Elkader, who is the president of the Northeast Iowa Vietnam Veterans Association, was introduced.  Blume reported briefly on the great success of the Moving Wall display and associated activities which were sponsored by his organization and held recently at National.

The keynote speaker was Luther College associate professor Dr. John Moeller. This past January, Dr. Moeller led a Luther College student group on a three-week travel study to Vietnam. The theme of his presentation centered on the challenges and opportunities Vietnam faces as it struggles to enter fully into the modern world. He included a series of slides in his presentation.

The program also included a presentation by Marilyn Holland, DAR member from Decorah. The presentation was titled “The Significance of the Missing Man Table.”  Posted near the table was the official POW/MIA flag. It was noted that the third Friday of September is observed annually as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. In this case, that happened to be the day prior to this event.

The Vietnam War Commemoration Flag was on display in the pavilion. DAR member Virginia Larimer of Oelwein gave a description of the significance of the various features of the flag. She was assisted by Marilyn Holland.  After the end of the program, several individual veterans and groups came forward to have pictures taken with the commemorative flag.
DAR members and friends assisting in addition to those listed in this article included Wendy Novak and Jill Amdahl of Decorah, Mona Day to Lansing, and MaryAnne Iliff, Deon Roys and Karma Knospe all of West Union.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 180,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the largest and most active service organizations in the world. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.