Peace Accord Observance hosted by local VFW

‘58,000 Americans gave their lives in Vietnam; 1,581 missing in action’

• Peace Accord Observance hosted by local VFW
• Members of the Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Auxiliary hosted a Memorial Observance for the Paris Peace Accord ending the Vietnam War Friday, Jan. 27 at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the 1885 Historic Shelby County Courthouse in Center. Leon Aldridge | The Light and Champion

Vietnam Peace Accord of 1973 and those who served during the Vietnam War were remembered Friday, Jan. 26, 2023. The service was held at the Veteran’s Memorial on the grounds of the 1885 Shelby County Historic Courthouse in downtown Center.

“Good morning,” Post Gold Legacy Life Member and Vietnam Veteran Mike Wulf welcomed the gathering of veterans and friend, “and thank you for being here today as we remember those who served in the Vietnam War.”

Post Chaplain Kenneth Ramsey offered the opening prayer. “Almighty God, we are here today to pay tribute to the men and women, living and dead who went to a distant land called Vietnam. We thank you for the sacrifices they made for us and for peace. We gather here in these moments to remember them. God bless the over 58,000 who died in the Vietnam War and their families. May those still missing in action be accounted for and returned to their loved ones.”

Wulf led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag.

The Paris Peace Accord ending the Vietnam War was signed 51 years ago on January 27, 1973, and was followed by the withdrawal of the remaining American troops.

The terms of the accord called for a complete ceasefire in South Vietnam. It allowed North Vietnamese forces to retain the territory they had captured. It provided for the release U.S. prisoners of war.

It called for both sides to find a political solution to the conflict and as an enticement to South Vietnam, President Richard Nixon offered U.S. airpower to enforce the peace terms. This was stopped in December 1974 when Congress cut off all military aid to South Vietnam.

More than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in the Vietnam War and there are still 1,581 missing in action. This is three less than last year when we gathered to remember three families who now have closure due to our POW/MIA accounting teams that continue to search around the world wherever there are missing Americans.

It’s been said that no one is truly dead until their name is no longer spoken. Each of our 12 Shelby County Vietnam veterans are alive today because of you in attendance - we spoke their name as we did last year and will do again next year.

The names of the 11 troops from Shelby County were read and remembered at the ceremony with names read by Post 8904 Auxiliary members and Hume.

Names read by VFW members included Ted W. Adams, William L. “Shorty” Andrews, Jimmy Barnett, Mac Curtis Buckley, Larry Byford, Ray Chatelain, Jr., William H. Eaden, Jerry Lynn Hughes, Taylor D. Johnson, Samuel R. Lynch and Calvin Patrick, and John B. Lightfoot who was killed in a training accident while preparing to deploy to Vietnam.

Wulf offered the opportunity for anyone to remember a Vietnam Veteran, deceased or living.

“Thank you for your attendance,” said Wulf in conclusion. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”