NAME PLACEMENT CEREMONY
WOODRING WALL OF HONOR & VETERANS PARK
ENID, OKLAHOMA FRIDAY MAY 16TH
In 1967, PFC Lester James Veazey enlisted in the US Marines shortly after his 19th birthday. He was shot in the head on January 20, 1968, by small arms fire near Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. James survived the wound, but was confined to a wheelchair. He returned home to Enid, Oklahoma, but never fully recovered. He died from his wounds 9 years later in 1977.
Last year, his name was added to The Vietnam Wall, and he officially joined more than 58,000 other American heroes inscribed on the nation's most beloved memorial. Since The Wall was dedicated, 347 additional names have been engraved. Enid, Oklahoma will update the state’s “Official Vietnam War Monument” on Friday, May 16th at 7:30 pm, in a candlelight ceremony at the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park. PFC Veazey’s brother, Ken Parker, had the honor of placing his brother’s name on the wall in an official name placement ceremony.
ADDING NAMES TO THE WALL
Each year, names that have met the Department of Defense criteria for addition to The Wall, having sustained wounds in Vietnam from which they eventually perished, are unveiled on the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC each Mothers Day. Adding a hero's name is not only important to the individual families, it is of great interest to communities and local media around the country. Television news stories and newspapers across America tell hometown stories of service and sacrifice. National media also takes notice when the Memorial is updated. The stories of those honored, as well as the actual processes of identifying and engraving the names, are of great national human interest. We honor those services in Enid at the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
This year, 22 heroes will be welcomed home to the Vietnam Memorial Wall, They came from hometowns across America, and served with distinction. We are privileged to honor one Oklahoman to add to the Wall. Welcome Home PVC Lester James Veazey.
THE CEREMONY
Lt. Col Schwertfeger, Vietnam Veteran and Hanoi Hilton POW, will be the keynote speaker for the upcoming ceremony. Special music will be provided by talented artists Cobe and the Cat. Cobe Moore is a blind and autistic musician who will be accompanying sultry and soulful soloist, Cathy Nulph in several patriotic songs. Col. John Menozzi, Vance AFB Vice-Wing Commander, will dedicate the stone in honor of the 22 military members. A special flame ceremony, hosted by the national “Carry the Flame Across America” nonprofit, will honor the 22 men. The group is traveling from California to Washington DC and are stopping in Enid for the special ceremony. The group plans to attend the annual ceremony each year in Enid. Other Vietnam Veterans groups which ride across the states will incorporate this stop into their itinerary for upcoming years. Prior to the event, at 7:00 pm, District 40 Representative John Enns, will receive a special award from the Oklahoma State Veteran’s Association. For additional information: contact Elaine Johns @ 580-478-3034.
