Honoring Those We Lost
Front row (L-R): Floyd Fields, American Legion Commander A. K. Taylor, VFW Commander Jerry Gassaway, Bill Blaydes, David Hill, and Ron DeVore; Back row (L-R): Bill Lagermann, Dean Fields, Nancy Taylor, Jeremy Garmon, David Smith, Charles Costello, Doyle Cooper, Don Lloyd, and Russ Johnson. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor | The Herald-News
Members of the American Legion Post 65 and VFW Post 6281 gathered along with family members and citizens on Sunday, May 24th, to honor those who lost their lives defending our country.
American Legion Commander A. K. Taylor spoke about Medal of Honor recipient PFC Billy Lane Lauffer, of Kentucky. Photo | PJ Martin
VFW member Charles Costello read the names of those from Metcalfe County lost in battle. Photo | PJ Martin
American Legion Post 65 Commander A.K. Taylor opened the ceremony, and the prayer was given by Russ Johnson.
Charles Costello read the names of those lost in battle who are memorialized on the monument in the corner of the courthouse lawn.
Taylor presented the following information, “Since the founding of the United States, over 1.1 million Americans have died in wars, combat, and police actions. From the first shots at Lexington and Concord to the battles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran, ordinary Americans have exhibited extraordinary Valor.”
He then relayed the military bravery of PFC Billy Lane Lauffer, who was born in Murray, Kentucky, and was posthumously awarded the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor.
In Vietnam, his company was caught in machine gun fire from two concealed bunkers. Two previously wounded soldiers being carried by stretchers were now caught in the fire and unable to be retrieved. Lauffer single-handedly charged the machine gun positions while firing his rifle, drawing enough attention and causing enemy confusion, which allowed his comrades to gain better positions and retrieve the wounded. Lauffer died that day, September 21, 1966.
PFC Lauffer was only 20 years old at the time of his death and is buried in his hometown of Murray, Kentucky, at the Murray Memorial Gardens.
Next, Taps was played, and the wreath was laid at the monument in honor of those lives lost.
As part of the service, six new American flags were given away, and a group photo of the veterans in attendance was also taken.
Flag winners (L-R): Carolyn Kirby, Robin Lawson, Cathy Nunn, Chris Lagermann (Thrivent Action Team), Nancy Taylor (American Legion Post 65, Finance Officer), Wilmetta McPherson, Pam Fields, and Debbie Blaydes. Russ Johnson won a flag, but gifted it to Carol Kirby. Photo | Bill Lagermann
American Legion Commander A. K. Taylor and VFW Commander Jerry Gassaway laid the wreath at the monument. Photo | PJ Martin
