Thanks to all who contributed to making this a very successful event:  the City of Wentzville Fire Department for use ot their building, the local VFW for feedng us and the ham operators who prevailed over seriously bad band conditions to work our event.

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OUR STATS

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NUMBER SSB QSOs

17m—1  20m—65   40m—149   80m—12  Total SSB   227

 

NUMBER FT8 QSOs

15m—3  17m—17  20m—37  30m--2  40m—53  Total FT8   112

 

Total QSO Count—339

 

QSO with Veterans—72

Air Force--20 Army—21  Marines—3  Navy—15  Coast Guard/National Guard—7

 

Total # of States Worked

SSB-40 

FT8—41
 

History of the Memorial

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A truly great American story of a small town coming together to honor Veterans.

 

The idea of Wentzville's Vietnam Veterans Memorial was conceived by Judith Cato Gittermeier, Betty Doyle and Naomi Heleine.  They met in 1967 to discuss the disturbing bad publicity of the Vietnam War and decided to do something to let sailors, soldiers and marines from the Wentzville area know that "someone cares."

 

It is an interesting sidebar to note that Doyle was a local Central Democratic Committee member, while Gittermeier was a Republican Committee member, plus Heleine was the president of the woman's Republican Club.  The point here is these women could have contacted any politician to help, but they did not.  The project was totally bi-partisan and community driven.

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The dedication was December 2, 1967.  At that time, the memorial consisted of a tree of lights used to raise funds to send Christmas packages to community servicemen stationed in Vietnam. Donations had been raised to send the care packages and to place a small monument by the first tree.  A plaque was installed at the memorial with the Bible verse Ruth 1: 16. 

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The verse was chosen according to Gittermeier because it, "captured the spirit of what we wanted to say by the people who await the return of their servicemen."

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In December 1968, a 30-foot tree replaced the original tree of lights and additional sculptures were added beside the tree and original monument and plaque.

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In 1985 there was re-dedication.  The tree was dug up and a new stone monument, carved by a local sculptor, was put in its place.  It was a single column of red Missouri granite topped by a carved figure of an eagle.  Inscribed at the column's base is, "Whither Thou Goest, I will go." from Ruth 1:16.

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A telegram from President Reagan was read, "I am honored to extend warm greetings to all those who gathered for the re-dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Wentzville.  America owes an incalculable debt to it's Vietnam Veterans.... There are no words to express the debt of appreciation I feel for their heroism and sacrifices in that conflict.... Your ceremony underscores the fact that more and more Americans are coming to realize just how noble it was.  We must accord of Vietnam Veterans and Fallen comrades all the honors, respect and homage that true patriots have always deserved.... May God bless those who honor them."

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On the 25th anniversary Operation Silver Star, a three-day celebration, was held.  Activities included displays and demonstrations by local military units, a parade, a small musical festival, plus the ceremony re-dedicating the Memorial.

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Annually this Memorial serves as a one of many stops during the annual  motorcycle pilgrimage called “Run For The Wall” where for the past twenty nine years bikers complete the Run For The Wall to increase awareness about the thousands of men and women still unaccounted for from all wars. 

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Again THANKS for making this special event a success. 

 

73, KEØKZ and KØMHP

WØW Co-Sponsors

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