NEVC hosts Veterans Day event

By Neoma Foreman

Special to the Daily Mail

Chuck Naas, Northeast Vernon County High School principal; Kendal Ogburn, NEVC elementary principal; Linda Eckard and Suzie Richardson, NEVC teachers; the Epsilon Beta and American Girls Club sponsored a tribute to veterans at the Walker campus on Veterans Day.

An Army helicopter landed on the schoolyard and Charles Foreman showed his Army jeep and trailer. They answered questions about their service.

The Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the colors. Courtney Harris led in the "Pledge of Allegiance." Shannon Gray did a rendition of our National Anthem. Mrs. Eckard and Mrs. Richardson gave recognition to each veteran present.

Jennie Marlin and the elementary choir sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee, America, and The Grand Old Flag."

Crystal Bogardus was the winner of the essay writing contest, "What Veterans Day Means to Me." She read her essay and was presented a $100 U.S. Savings Bond as her prize.

An honorary diploma was presented to William Simmons, which had been signed by Governor Matt Blunt.

Keynote speaker, Larry Buckles, graduated from Walker High School in 1963. He served in the Army in Korea in 1967-'68. He got his draft notice Dec. 3, 1966, and was inducted Jan. 29, 1967, along with three other Walker High School graduates, Arthur Stephens, Delbert Johnston and LeRoy Hill.

"Arthur Stephens is the name I want you to remember," Buckles said. "He was a very special person." Arthur was his brother-in-law.

Buckles arrived in Japan June 29, 1967m and was sent on to Korea. "They said, 'Welcome to the Land of the Rising Sun and honey wagons. Drop your britches and underwear!' I was given a shot in both hips, and soon found out that honey wagons carried human waste." A bus driver had failed to report, and Buckles was asked to drive a bus.

"Didn't sound like a bad idea to me so I agreed," Buckles said.

While there, he got a call from the American Red Cross saying that he had become a father. His daughter, Kim, was born.

Later in 1967, he became a transportation officer and drove a bus, jeep, and a Dodge station wagon.

In February of 1968, he got a letter from his mother saying that Arthur Stephens was Missing in Action in Vietnam. He again got a call from the American Red Cross, and this time it was bad news.

Arthur had been killed in action. He was asked to be a military escort to return Arthur's body home.

A Ferry Funeral Home representative met them in Kansas City. Buckles had to go before the casket and be with the casket when any family member was present. The Military Funeral Service was held at the National Cemetery at Fort Scott, Kan.

"None of this was a pleasant experience," Buckles said with emotion, "but the hardest part was when the Honor Guard gave me Arthur's flag off his casket, and I had to look my sister in the eye and say, This flag represents … 'The name I want you to remember today is Arthur Stephens. He gave his all for our country,'" Buckles concluded. "I am proud to be recognized as a veteran, but why should I be honored for driving a bus and carrying the mail?"

The only good thing about the trip home was that Buckles got to see his new daughter, Kim, who was six months old, and his wife and family. Then it was back to Korea, The Land of the Rising Sun and Honey Wagons. They tried to get him with the "drop your britches and bend over," but he got that stopped before he got shot again.

The folding of the flag from a casket was demonstrated by the Whiteman AFB Honor Guard and explained what each fold represents by Ogburn.

Music was played with the four branches of service theme songs and veterans from each of these stood and was recognized. The closing song was "Proud to be an American." After the Colors were retired, a reception was held for the veterans and their families.