GREENVILLE – Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, a Vietnam Commemorative Partner, hosted a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the historical Bears Mill Vietnam Memorial, Greenville OH.
The Darke County Honor Guard presented the colors and a Three-Volley Salute.
“It means a lot to me to finally be recognized,” said Rod Saylor, Commander of the Honor Guard and Vietnam veteran. “When we come home it wasn’t pretty and after all they have done for us the country is finally coming around and I appreciate everything they have done for us – it makes me feel better.”
Sixty-five people were in attendance with approximately 40 Vietnam Veterans being recognized. Each Vietnam veteran was pinned with a Vietnam Commemorative lapel pin for their service to our Nation.
“We are losing a lot of Vietnam veterans every day,” Saylor noted. “I see it here on the Honor Guard a lot and I’ve seen the guys with the Agent Orange and the disabilities and it saddens me but then again I am proud of them. I would do it again in a minute.”
The Darke County Commissioners presented a proclamation while Fort GreeneVille DAR members gave the ceremony and presentations.
Two families were recognized with the “In Memory of” certificate and lapel pin for the sacrifices they endured when their loved one didn’t return home for Vietnam.
Private First Class Jack Evan Beam was from Union City, Ohio, born Oct. 15, 1945, and began his tour of duty with the U.S. Army on July 15, 1966, with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, B Company. He died in artillery rocket mortar through hostile action in South Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province on Dec. 21, 1966. Beam posthumously received the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.
SP4 Robert Fowble, born Sept. 22, 1945, in Greenville, died in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. He was killed by hostile ground, multiple fragmentation wounds in South Vietnam, and was said to be the last one killed that day on Nov. 23, 1966.
In 2016 State Route 571 between Union City and Greenville was dedicated to both soldier’s memories.
