Vietnam veterans honored by Congressman Roger Williams: (Left to Right) Vern Bode, Edward Lutz, Charles Drab, Gary Hale, Lenny Jasinski, Jim Fletcher, Bill Russell, Unknown, Ernie Banasau, Roger Keats, Ronnie (Shorty) Barnett, Joe Schwartz, Michael Glascock, Congressman Roger Williams, Harold Leung (front), Unknown, Charles Bonney, Richard Rossi, Teddy Weeks, Kim Holtzendorf, Sonny Cauthen, Vic Donnell, Randy Van Camp, Larry Chapman, and J C Carter. CENTURY NEWS PHOTO BY JOHN PACHECO
Meet our DS Vietnam veterans
Meet our Vietnam Veterans.
Prior to Veterans Day last year, Dripping Springs Vietnam veterans were honored by Congressman Roger Williams at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church.
The event was coordinated by the congressman’s staff and by DS VFW post quartermaster officer Gary Hale.
“Today many people don’t understand the sacrifices you made as veterans. Less than one-percent of our population today serves in the military.” Williams said in a brief speech before the ceremony. “Today we are here to honor your sacrifice, your time away, the holidays with your family that you missed, and putting yourself in harm’s way.”
Hale, a retired United States Army Colonel who served in Vietnam, said, “The Vietnam era was a difficult time to render service, and oftentimes their call to duty goes unrecognized. I’m glad we were able to put the ceremony together and recognize these veterans.”
The ceremony was heavily attended by family members, including sons, daughters, and grandchildren of the Vietnam veterans—some of which were visibly moved. Also in attendance were former Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant and City Councilman Travis Crow who assisted with the presentations.
Veterans recognized were (by branch of service):
U.S. ARMY
1. Thomas W. Soltau
2. Harold W. Leung
3. Teddy Lee Weeks
4. Stanley W. Foster
5. Roger A. Keats
6. Richard Rossi
7. Michael H. Glascock
8. Joe Lynn Schwartz
9. Thomas A. Jenkins
10. Charles E. Bonney
11. A. B. Cauthen
12. Gary P. Hale
13. Lindel Bill Russell
14. Carey P. Holtzendorf
15. Richard L. Johnson
16. Victor L. Donnell
17. J. C. Carter
18. James R. Lingvai
19. Edward Lutz
20. Ernest Banasau
U.S. MARINE CORPS
1. Randy Van Camp
2. Thomas H. Sawyer, Jr.
3. W. Larry Chapman
4. Jerry L. Martin
U.S. NAVY
1. Lenny Jasinski
2. Ronnie G. (Shorty) Barnett
3. William T. MacQuarrie
4. Morgan O. Little
U.S. AIR FORCE
1. James L. Fletcher
2. Vernon Bode
3. Charles Drab
The Nov. 14 Edition of the Century News will carry a special veterans' section highlighting the service of Dripping Springs veterans.
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