Community Corner
Memorial Seeks Photos of Royal Oak Vets Who Died in Vietnam War
Exhibit hopes to put faces with names on wall of Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial.
The 2,654 Michiganders who died for their country in the Vietnam War are remembered on the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial.
The exhibit, which was escorted by the Royal Oak Legion Riders and Royal Oak Police Department, arrived Tuesday morning on the west porch of the Royal Oak Farmers Market.
"We like taking these 2,654 guys for a ride around Michigan," said Tim Ignash, of St. Clair Shores. "We don't want them to ever be forgotten."
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For 37 men, today was a trip home.
Photos needed of Royal Oakers who died in Vietnam
The exhibit includes bios that tell the story of each veteran from Michigan who did not come home from Southeast Asia, including 37 men from Royal Oak.
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Many of the bios do not have photographs.
"We are hoping to put a face to each person that lost their life in Vietnam," said Dave Schoenherr, chairman of the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial.
There are 10 Royal Oak residents in the display that do not have a photograph with their bios. The hope is someone who knew these men will come forward with photographs until there is a picture of each Royal Oaker whose name appears on the memorial.
Name Military Branch Date of Birth Date of Casualty James Craig Berry Army July 14, 1948 Nov. 13, 1967 Michael Joseph Drake Army May 15, 1948 Dec. 16, 1969 Donald Harry Hartness Marine Corps Aug. 12, 1947 June 7, 1968 Gerald Lee Johnson Marine Corps May 5, 1950 June 20, 1968 Jarmo Antero Kari Marine Corps Feb. 6, 1944 Feb. 9, 1966 James R. Merz Jr. Army Aug. 13, 1949 July 2, 1970 Ronald Glen Noble Marine Corps May 27, 1948 Aug. 26, 1968 Robert Edwards Rawls Army Aug. 4, 1935 Sept. 18, 1965 JC Reel Army Apr. 7, 1946 Mar. 26. 1969 William Mhoon Wilkerson Marine Corps Aug. 7, 1948 Sept. 10, 1968If you know how to reach to the relatives of these men or have a photo to share, please stop by the memorial or call Ruth Babcock at 586-977-6815.
Lest we forget
Sgt. 1st Class Clifford Tatum, of Oak Park, choked up as he viewed the memorial on Tuesday morning. Tatum served in the Army for 21 years and did two tours of Vietnam.
"It brings up a lot of memories. I can't forget it," Tatum said.
Viewing the memorial is free but donations are accepted. T-shirts, stickers, patches and other items are for sale next to the memorial. All the proceeds go to support VVA Chapter 154 Veteran Support Center in Roseville, which operates a food bank for veterans who have fallen on hard times.
The exhibit will be at the Royal Oak Farmers Market through Thursday. Parking is free in lot west of the market for visitors to the exhibit.
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