Vietnam War Veterans honored

The Historic Cass County Courthouse marked the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on Saturday, with a reverent ceremony honoring the service of Vietnam war veterans and remembering the late United States Air Force Staff Sergeant John O’Neal Rucker.

After remarks, the packed courtroom moved onto the courthouse lawn to pay tribute with a formal wreath-laying ceremony in recognition of those who served and died in the Vietnam War.

The courthouse ceremony, hosted by the city of Linden, Texas, was conducted by the Air and Space Forces (AFA) and AC119 Gunship associations, with special remarks from the retired #14th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF #14) Gerald Murray and USAF Staff Sgt. John Coontz.

The family of SSgt. Rucker was present to honor his sacrifice as a portrait of Rucker was unveiled. The portrait, which brought many to tears, was painted by Colin Kimball with the North Texas Fallen Warrior Portrait Project.

Rucker was tragically killed just 11 hours before a cease-fire was to go into effect on January 27, 1973. Rucker was the last American to die at Da Nang during the Vietnam War. He was off duty when a rocket attack was launched that killed him as he slept in the barracks. Rucker was only 21 years old.

The Vietnam Peace Accords were signed that very day, and the Vietnam War period is recorded as starting on November 1, 1955, and officially ending on May 15, 1975. More than nine-million U.S. veterans served during that time period.

Rucker–lovingly referred to by family and friends by his middle name, O’Neal– served to provide aircraft maintenance for the 18th Special Operations Squadron’s Singer aircraft.

Cass County Judge Travis Ransom, who has served in the US Army for a number of years as a command sergeant major and is the son of a veteran welcomed guests and thanked Vietnam Veterans that were present for their service.

“Our Vietnam vets didn’t come home to ticker tape and applause,” said Sgt. Gerald Murray, 14th Chief Master Seargent of the U.S. Air Force.”We have to make sure that never happens again, the level of disrespect Vietnam veterans was met with.”

Murray said it is important for Americans to understand the sacrifice made by soldiers like Rucker.

“It’s an honor to recognize the service of John O’Neal Rucker,” Murray said. “It’s in their history books, to (students) it was a long time ago. To some others here today it wasn’t.”

“I know every day Rucker did his job, he did it knowing people were depending on him … his short life and service have had a lasting impact … This country gave a lot,” Murray said, solemnly.

Murray said Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) wants to make sure POWs, veterans, and those who lost their lives in Vietnam are honored properly.

Services held this day and age to commemorate veterans of the Vietnam War are especially touching, chiefly because, at the time, soldiers were not welcomed home with the fanfare befitting a man who had bravely served and lost brothers and fellow soldiers in the process of doing his duty.

Tensions were high, with protests over the war causing much animosity towards downtrodden soldiers who had to leave their families behind and go to a foreign nation to perform the duty that they were called to do.

One of the brave veterans to give remarks, Staff Sgt John Cootz, with the USAF said he was shocked when told not to wear his uniform home, his voice cracking.

Coontz said during the war they flew AC 119s, which were in service from 1969-1973.

“We lived in those planes at night, but during the few times we were asked to fly during the day we were very cautious because we were slow and low,” Coontz said of the aircraft.

Coontz said the stress put on those planes, which were built in the 1950s but were updated with 1970s technology, was unbelievable and soldiers like O’Neal had a tremendous job to do as they worked maintenance on them.

“His role was foundational,” Coontz said. “It rained a lot in Vietnam and you were in it most of the time. It wasn’t uncommon for these guys to put in long nights of flying and then long days of trying to patch up the planes.”

Still, Coontz said, no one ever complained. “What’s truly exhilarating is sitting right here,” Coontz said. “And there’s a part of O’Neal that didn’t get to come home.”

Coontz pointed at O’Neal Rucker’s family. “But theres a part of O’Neal here,” he said. “Some paid the ultimate price.”

The indoor ceremony marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam war came to a close with a moment of silence before a chaplain recited the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

A portrait of Sgt. Rucker, painted by artist Colin Kimball was then unveiled for all to see. Kimball said painting portraits to memorialize veterans is a labor of love.

Afterward, everyone moved onto the courthouse lawn for a brief wreath-laying ceremony honoring the service of all our Vietnam War veterans who lost their lives during the war.

Other Cass County soldiers who died in the Vietnam War and were honored Saturday were: Johnny Allison Gibson, Army, SP4, Bloomburg Gaylon G. Gipson, Army, SFC, Bivens Franklin Jack Lummis, USMC, CPL, Atlanta Clifford Nickelberry, Army, SP4, Marietta Robert Earl Richardson, Army, CPL, Douglassville Rayford Neal Sewell, Army, SP4, Bivens James Arthur Wall, Navy, PO3, Atlanta