NEWS

Long overdue: Vietnam Veterans memorial dedicated at C of O

Jackie Rehwald
JREHWALD@NEWS-LEADER.COM

POINT LOOKOUT – More than 1,400 men and women from Missouri lost their lives during the Vietnam War. To honor them, a memorial wall bearing their names was unveiled and dedicated at College of the Ozarks on Wednesday.

"The college is pleased to have taken a leadership role in the Vietnam Veteran Memorial," said Jerry Davis, President of the College of the Ozarks. "In our view, it was long overdue."

Hundreds of veterans, friends and family members, and students attended the dedication ceremony, which included a presentation of colors, a 21-gun salute, and Taps played by Sergeant Major Bob Smither.

Lieutenant Colonel and Vietnam Veteran Oliver North also spoke at the dedication. North is host of the documentary series "War Stories with Oliver North" on FOX. He has previously served as a convocation speaker at College of the Ozarks.

"This is indeed a memorial to heroes. A hero is not someone who catches a pass in the end zone or sets a new academic record or new athletic record or wears a spandex suit and cape," North said. "A hero is a person who puts him or herself at risk for the benefit of others. That certainly defines those with whom I served in Vietnam and all the rest of you who served as well as all the names on this wall."

North addressed the poor treatment that many Vietnam veterans received when they came home.

"What happened to the veterans of Vietnam should never ever have happened and it better never happen again. They all forfeited the comforts of home," he said. "They went into harm's way. They didn't serve for gold or oil or colonial conquest. They did so to protect us because an ally of our nation was being threatened and to offer others the hope of freedom."

The memorial — including two walls of names and a statue of Vietnam veterans — was designed by Austin Meyer, a 2014 College of the Ozarks graduate.

Missouri lawmakers designated the memorial to be the official Vietnam War Memorial for the state.

Last year, College of the Ozarks was named an official charity of the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf PGA Champions Tour event, presented by Bass Pro Shops. The donation was used to fund the memorial.

Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, told the crowd he was pleased to "be a small part of this fitting tribute."

Names of the fallen Missouri servicemen and women are provided via the following link to the U.S. Military Fatal Casualties of the Vietnam War, available through the National Archives and prepared by the Secretary of Defense: http://www.archives.gov/research/military/vietnam-war/casualty-lists/mo-alpha.pdf