Ruth and Hiatt were among veterans who served in World War II, Vietnam, and Korea and who never finished school. This year, the Missouri Legislature, along with several other states, passed laws awarding honorary diplomas to people who did not finish school during those conflicts due to military service. “This is a step that was long overdue,” said Andrews, who emceed Monday’s ceremony.
Ruth was born and raised first in Audubon (IA) and Orient (IA). He was 16 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and left high school to serve in the military at 18. He served on a ship which dropped off supplies to troops in the Pacific during World War II and served until he was 21.
After he came home, Dallas took a young lady, Verle, home one night, and she turned into his wife of 72 years, making them one of Worth County’s longest-married couples. “We never got much recognition over there,” said Ruth. “There were a lot of us who perished in the Pacific.” He wanted answers about soldiers missing in action in the Pacific. As of 2012, there were still 73,000 American servicepeople still missing in action from World War II. Andrews promised to get answers.
Hiatt was born and raised in Worth County. In 1945, he left school to join the US Navy and was stationed off California. When his service was done, he worked on a potato farm, but then came home. While back in Worth County, he began couples skating with Donna Mae at the newly-built Grant City Skating Rink, and many couples skates later, they decided to get married. They lived in Irena, and later in Allendale. They had two children, Regina and Kevin. Paul passed away in 2003.
“Please know that this community salutes you,” said Andrews.
The other highlight of the program was the Vietnam Wall replica memorializing all Missouri servicepeople who were killed in Vietnam. Included was Tony Myers, a Worth County serviceman who was killed in Vietnam and whose brother, Paul, also served there. A student, Aaron Farrell, got a list of all the names of Missouri servicepeople killed in Vietnam, and David Hardy and other volunteers put the memorial replica together.
Principals Jon Adwell and Chuck Borey welcomed the audience. “The military protects us 365 days a year, “ said Borey. Adwell gave a history lesson about Vietnam. While they may not agree on much politically, Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump both encourage all Americans to remember the Vietnam vets. In 2012, President Obama proclaimed 2012 to 2025 as years to recognize the Vietnam War Vets and the sacrifices that they made. On November 1st of this year, President Trump proclaimed this month National Veterans and Military Families Month, encouraging people to support all family members of veterans and servicepeople. “Each warrior has earned our eternal gratitude,” said Adwell.
Student Jayden Gust sang Lee Greenwood’s popular song, “God Bless the USA,” while the High School Choir sang, “Flanders Fields” and “This Land is Your Land.”
Zoey Morin gave a talk about her grandfather, the late Don Morin, who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a brutal battle between Chinese & North Korean forces on one side and US & allied forces on the other between November 27th and December 13th, 1950. The battle was fought in conditions that were so brutal and cold that for the rest of his life, Morin couldn’t feel his hands or feet. During the conflict, Morin saved the life of a young Korean boy. Zoey said her grandfather was haunted by that battle for the rest of his life. “He gave up every night so we could have one,” she said. “When people ask me why America is great, I say that it’s because of people like my grandfather.”
The Missouri Vietnam Wall was unveiled next, and student John Mancuso played, “Arlington,” a tribute to all the soldiers who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Mancuso had several family members who served in the military; his great-grandfather, Orlando Mancuso, was killed in World War II. There were 1,426 Missourians killed in Vietnam and 35 still missing.
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