Linden honors Vietnam Veteran Sgt. John O’Neal Rucker

The family of the late local Sgt. John O’Neal Rucker, the last enlisted American service member to lose his life in Vietnam will be honored with other Vietnam War Veterans at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 4 at the courtroom of the Historic Cass County Courthouse in downtown Linden, Texas, with the 50th-anniversary commemoration of the end of the Vietnam War.

History Channel calls the Vietnam War a long, costly, and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. The conflict was intensified by the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. More than 3 million people (including over 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War.

The unpopularity of the Vietnam War, “the never-ending conflict,” put the soldiers in the crosshairs of political policies and social change. The soldiers, many of whom loved the United States and volunteered to serve or were drafted into service never saw the fanfare of those who served in World War II, instead were treated with indifference, or unnecessarily demonized for a conflict they never created.

Only years later as wounds healed within the country, but not necessarily with the soldiers, the country and communities like Cass are beginning to treat the soldiers with the honor they deserve. People began to hear the stories of the people who lived through the conflict, and how it affected them and their families.

In Cass County, however, people moved quickly to recognize the sacrifice of our Vietnam Soldiers. “On November 11, 1973, the people of Linden, Texas erected and dedicated a monument in the courthouse square in memory of Sgt. John O’Neal Rucker. We can say it no better than Paul Rowan, who interviewed dozens of Linden’s folks shortly after O’Neal died in Vietnam and wrote an article for the Fort-Worth Star-Telegram. He said, “Sgt. Rucker will be worth remembering because he died in the service of his country and with a firm trust in God. In Linden, a man can make no higher marks in history.”

And now years later, on February 4, he will be honored again. Ransom said looking forward to the event, following courthouse commemorations would be a wreath-laying ceremony, with members of the AC119 Gunship association on hand, with at least one member of the association present who served with Rucker. He said the event was put together through the AC-119 Gunship Association, (ac119gunships.com), as well as the local and regional chapter of the Air and Space Force Association, (afa.org) Cass County Judge Travis Ransom says, “This community values and appreciates the service and sacrifice of our military servicemembers. It is the right thing to do, to come together and honor our Vietnam Veterans as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.”

Megan Kirkland, Assistant EDC Director, and Linden Main Street Manager is reminded of the sacrifice of so many of our servicemen. “When I wake up in the morning, I think “Oh, just five more minutes” then when those ten minutes pass I get out of bed and go through my routine. Brush teeth, change, make the bed, take medicine, and out the door, I go. I drive to work and go through my day the same as usual without so much as a thought to the wiser. I go home, eat dinner with family, chill and watch something on Netflix, and then head to bed. I have a feeling a lot of them have a similar routine or some variation of it. We live in a country that allows us to have the freedom of choice where we can live how we want. But this freedom of choice was not free nor was it a guarantee without the service done by our men and women during the ages. That is why we should stop and remember that the liberties and freedoms we have come with a cost. The ultimate cost.

“This Saturday, February 4th at 10:30 at the Linden, Texas Courthouse we will be recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War and the service of SSGT John O’Neal Rucker, USAF who was the last enlisted casualty of the Vietnam War. This is a time to remember those that fought for us and recognize their sacrifice for our country. The City of Linden, The Linden Economic Development Corporations, Linden Main Street, Linden Lions Club, and the offices of Cass County are working together to make the Linden Downtown a representation of pride for our country. We want visitors to feel welcome and we wish to show our support and respect to those that have passed and those currently serving. The downtown will be decorated in patriotic themes and colors. We appreciate all that have been a part of the planning and implementation of the event.

“So when you read this article or when you are going throughout your daily tasks stop and take a moment to send a silent prayer to those that are serving and those that have served to give us the life we currently live.”

Another special thing that will happen is the daughter of the late O’Neal Rucker will be flying in from Colorado along with other families for the dedication. Tia McConnell was reunited with her father’s family, after being adopted from Vietnam by another American family. “It was January 25, 2012, when I realized that the likelihood of John O’Neal Rucker being my father was very high.” After taking a DNA test. She later found with near certainty that she was the daughter of Rucker. His family welcomed her with open arms, with his mom always feeling like there was a child out there that was his.

McConnel was asked about the dedication, she says that it is hard, “while the lessons of war need to never be forgotten, I feel sad because we are having to remember them this way. I have never met my father, but to the girl who does not know her real birthday, the loss, and it hurts a little. I am very happy however he will be honored.”

Members of the AC-119 Gunship Association will be on hand to support her and other family members, while proudly representing the memory of O’Neal Rucker.