Congressman Joe Morelle and Falls Post Commander Jim Merzke with some of the honorees at the April 12 Vietnam War Commemoration pinning ceremony at Falls Post #664. Photo by Dana Vernetti
On April 12, U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle recognized local Vietnam Veterans by presenting them with the Vietnam War Commemoration Lapel Pin in honor of their service.
“Today, I have the extraordinary privilege of presenting local veterans of the Vietnam War with lapel pins as a lasting memento of our country’s enduring gratitude,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “As President Calvin Coolidge once said: ‘the nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.’ It is my hope that these pins serve as a constant reminder to our courageous veterans that we will never forget their service, sacrifice, and heroism.”
Congressman Morelle is a member of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration—a national 50th anniversary commemoration, authorized by Congress. The Vietnam War Commemoration lapel pins are awarded to veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975.
The Honorees were:
Glenn Anderson -US Marine Corps
James Barclay -US Army
Timothy Barge – US Army
Donald Barnes – US Army
Lawrence Boyd – US Air Force
Heinz Buschang – US Marine Corps
Roger Cappi – US Army
Don Cochran -US Navy
Harry Dehollander – US Army
Bernard Donegan – US Army
Peter Doyle – US Army
Stephen Harrington – US Army
Norman Jones – US Navy
Paul Kavanaugh – US Marine Corps
Myron Lemperle – US Army
Carl Luger – US Army
Gary Meister – US Army
Donald Menz – US Army
Wayne Menz – US Navy
Paul Nielsen – US Army
Kenneth Rath – US Army
Robert Rinken – US Marine Corps
Bradford Rivers – US Army
Dennis Roy -US Coast Guard
Lee Schilling – US Air Force
Robert Slough – US Army
Roger Templar – US Army
Michael Tobin – US Army
Edward Vidota -US Air Force
Tom Wallace – US Army
In addition four other American Legion Post #664 members were recognized in a similar pinning ceremony on October 25. They were David Cochrane (U.S. Navy), John Connelly (U.S. Air Force), Dick Gatto (U.S. Navy) and Mike O’Connell (U.S. Navy).
