Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 9 · column 2 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
about two years ago, families and friends of those killed in Vietnam contacted us,” said Sam. “They were concerned that their loved ones’ sacrifices might be forgotten or ignored.”
The Chapter to build and landscape the jet-black two-stone memorial and create a walkway around it. “It’ll be nice,” Sam said.
Carved on one panel will be the dedication to all veterans who entered the Armed Forces from the five counties and served in Vietnam. The other panel will list in frosted lettering the names of Piedmont area veterans killed there. It will also include the emblems of the five branches of service.
Chapter members will be contacting area businesses, civic organizations, and the public at large to raise funds; contributions are taxdeductible through the VVA.
“We’re still trying to find families,” Sam said. “And we’re so afraid if we put it up we’ll miss a name and not get someone from the area. So, we want families to contact us and let us know.”
“I envy Bootie, that he grew up here,” Sam said. “It’s such a closeknit area. The people’s names we’re putting on the wall from Rappahannock and Culpeper — he knew them. This memorial will mean so much to those like him and their families.”
“It’s because of Sam and his wife, Linda that I first went to The Wall,” Bootie said. “Since then, I’ve been back twice. I took my platoon book, which I still have, and there was a young girl there in a wheelchair (the first time I went). She asked me if there were pictures in my book which matched the names on The Wall. I told her yes. She asked to see them and I showed them to her and where their names were on The Wall. It made it real to her. No one had ever explained it to her before (about Vietnam). It made a difference. It made it come alive to her.”
“Going there is a healing process,” he said. “I supported it being built but had never been there. When we went it was in a group. If not for that, I may never have gone.”
That’s what they’re attempting to do for the local area. But, they need assistance to locate all the names and to secure enough donations to build it.
Interested persons may contact Sam Thompson, 825-5672, Ellis “Bootie” Smith, 349-1087, or Jim McWilliams 547-9861 to recommend names, to contribute to the memorial fund, or for more information. Donations may be mailed to: Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter No.752, P.O. Box 460, Rixeyville, 22737, Attn: Memorial.
96.8%