U.S. Navy, WWII veteran Mike Milochik (far left) and Marine Corps, Korean War veteran Bob Korn (far right) pose with Legion member Ray Haera and Valli Bigley before dropping the wreath in the Swan River.
American Legion Post 63 Commander Rick Ferguson poses with the memorial wreath made by Grace Siloti. The wreath is made of willow. Siloti picked the lupine to add to the arrangement the morning of the ceremony.
The Condon Community Church hosted a veterans barbecue lunch following the Memorial Day Ceremony May 30.
SWAN VALLEY - "So long Sarge," said Swan Valley American Legion Post 63 Commander Rick Ferguson after sharing the story about his platoon sergeant William Washington Hence who was killed in Vietnam June 2, 1968, "Gone but never forgotten."
The Swan Valley remembered and honored all men and women who gave their lives in service to the Nation on the traditional Memorial Day May 30 at the Cold Creek Bridge. Ferguson also recognized WWII Naval Gunner Dick Wilhelm and Vietnam Specialist Four Richard James Best Jr. who were killed in battle and the valley's living veterans who have served in wars since World War II.
SFC Hence led the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne Infantry 101st Airborne Division. Ferguson was a first Lieutenant at the time outranking Hence. "But he had a maturity edge on me," said Ferguson who estimated he was 10 years his senior.
Ferguson saw SFC Hence save the life of a young squad leader bleeding to death after being hit in the leg by mortar fragments. When the medic could not stop the bleeding, Sgt. Hence pinched off the artery with his fingers and asked for the hemostats.
SFC Hence was hit the next morning when the North Vietnamese attempted to break out of a large cordon (encirclement). Things happened so fast and then he was gone. He could have gone the night before on the helicopter but stayed because Ferguson asked him to.
"He knew the dangerous situation we were in, but eagerly agreed to stay," said Ferguson.
"I'm thankful for William Hence just about every day," said Ferguson. "He did more than just his duty."
Grace Siloti donated the wreath that was dropped off the Cold Creek Bridge to honor all those who died in service to their country. She thanked everyone who has served and continues to serve.
"This wreath to me this year is for everybody," said Siloti to the attendees. "But more in my mind and my heart for Rick Ferguson and a dear friend of ours Steve Feucht who are both fighting [due to illness]."
Owner of Liquid Louie's Valli (Reed) Bigley was chosen to drop the wreath this year in memory of her late father Robert "Bob" Earl Reed.
Reed was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran. Reed became an electronics engineer after the war working for Ford Aerospace Military Satellite Division as a civilian.
Later in life, Reed served as the commander of the American Legion Post 63 in Condon for several years in the late 1980s, early 1990s. Bigley is currently a member of the Swan Valley Women's Auxiliary.
Reader Comments(0)