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Butler County N.S.D.A.R. honors veterans at Memorial Day ceremony

The Butler County Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented the 2015 Memorial Day Program at the Butler County Courthouse on Monday morning, May 25.  Butler County Chapter N.S.D.A.R. Regent Jane-Eaton Henderson welcomed everyone and reminded each of us to teach our children to honor and respect our veterans. 

Matthew Embry

The Butler County High School N.J.R.O.T.C. presented the colors. Flag Chairman Lois Russ led the pledge.  Senior and Butler County N.S.D.A.R. Good Citizen  Matthew Embry sang the National Anthem. Chaplain Peggy Drake gave the prayer.

State Senator C.B. Embry Jr

Kentucky State Senator C.B. Embry Jr.  gave the keynote address.  Embry opened his remarks by honoring Medal of Honor Recipient Don Jenkins.

“There are three living Kentuckians that are Medal of Honor recipients; I am proud to say one is a Butler Countian - Don Jenkins," said Embry

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the landing of U.S. ground troops in Da Nang, Vietnam…this anniversary is an opportunity to recall, in the spirit of pride and gratitude, the heroic accomplishments of service members who gave their lives and all those who served our country during the Vietnam conflict,” said Embry.

“On March 29, 1973, the last American troops were withdrawn from South Vietnam, thus ending military involvement in what at that time was the longest war in our country’s history.  Due to the turbulent cultural climate of the era and the unpopularity of the long conflict, many of the returning veterans did not receive the respect and gratitude they deserved for serving their nation," said Embry

"The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., has helped heal a nation deeply divided by the Vietnam War and has paid eternal tribute to the more than 58,000 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Another 153,000 who served were wounded in action and about 1,600 are still listed as missing in action," said Embry.

"The Kentucky Vietnam Memorial that overlooks the state Capitol honors the 125,000 Kentuckians who served this nation so courageously and unselfishly during the Vietnam era.  Among that number 1,104 Kentuckians gave the ultimate sacrifice,” added Embry

Embry shared the stories of three Kentuckians who sacrificed their lives in Vietnam that received the Medal of Honor: Sgt. Donald Russell Long, Private First Class David P. Hash, and Staff Sgt. Jimmy G. Stewart.

In closing Embry stated the following: “This is what this 50th anniversary is all about.  It’s another opportunity to say to our Vietnam veterans what we should have been saying from the beginning: You did your job.  You served with honor.  You made us proud.  You came home and you helped build the American that we love and that we cherish.”

Bobby Keown and Jennifer Odle
Next, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5837 recognized Bobby Keown for his initiative to restore the Bell Street Cemetery.  Jennifer Odle made the presentation and gave the following remarks:
"Bobby served in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart.  After serving his country he came home, married, provided for his family and worked for his community.  He has worked many tireless hours at the Bell Street Cemetery, restoring and honoring the veterans that served before him and personally purchased bricks, on the Wall of Honor for James F. Baker, Thomas Edward Bread, Alexander Beard, Omar Bratton, Beecher Carson, Jimmy Carson, William Alex Luvall, Lester Moore, James M. Porter and William Gene Sutton  - all members of our community and buried at Bell Street Cemetery. Keown had help from Russell Givens, Roger Givens, Gary Southerland, Tim Harrington, Allen Meredith, the Butler County Jail Crew, the Morgantown City Maintance Crew, and his brothers Royce and Dean Keown.

Elaine Daugherty, Lynda Knight, and Jane Eaton Henderson

Green River Society N.S.D.A.R. Regent Elaine Daugherty read the poem, Everyday Is Memorial Day, in memory of the five Butler County residents who were killed in action during the Vietnam War:  Jimmy Sherrill, Billie Lee Coleman, Roy Lee Felty, Jerry Wayne Shain, and Eddie Hocker.

The program concluded with the laying of the wreaths by Jane Eaton Henderson, Lynda D. Knight and Elaine Daugherty followed by the playing of Taps by Bryant McClellan.

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