Area Vietnam veterans honored by local DAR in national commemoration

Terry Buckler receives his lapel pin from CS member and his cousin, Bev Unruh, a Ransom resident. (Photos courtesy Bob Wilhelm)

By JUDY SHERARD
Hays

More than 40 area Vietnam Veterans were honored Sunday evening at the Hays VFW following a Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 939 dinner.

A pinning ceremony, sponsored by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Courtney-Spalding Chapter, is part of the USA Vietnam War Commemoration, which runs from Memorial Day 2012 to Veterans Day 2025.

The local Courtney-Spalding Chapter is one of more than 10,000 partners of the Commemoration.

Terry Buckler, Holt, MO, who served with the Green Berets, was the evening’s speaker.

Buckler addresses the crowd about his Green Beret experience in Vietnam.

Buckler, who grew up on a farm near Clark, MO, was drafted in March 1969. Shortly after, he extended his duty length to become a Green Beret. He was a member of the special forces who conducted the Son Tay Raid to free prisoners of war. The raid has been deemed the “riskiest mission” of the war, and the model for all raids coming after, he said.

After receiving his own pin and certificate from his cousin Courtney-Spalding member Bev Unruh of Ransom, Buckler presented the commemorative pins.

DAR members presented a family member of a soldier killed in action, a surviving spouse, and each veteran with a certificate.

More than 100 people attended the event.

The Courtney-Spalding Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in April 1926 with members from Ellis, Russell, Trego and Ellsworth counties.

Its current goals stress membership growth, conservation, American History and Good Citizenship Awards to further the education and historic values of youth. The chapter focuses on U.S. flag presentations, supporting patriotism throughout the nation and supporting troops in Project Patriot.