POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks will hold a special service honoring Vietnam Veterans at Patriots Park on Thursday, March 28, at 9 a.m. The community is invited to attend.
Thanh Duong Boyer, Vietnam native and author of The Ground Kisser, will give remarks to honor those who served in the Vietnam War.
The service will include an invocation given by Capt. Caleb Dunnam, assistant professor of military science and chaplain in the Missouri Army National Guard, the singing of the national anthem, a ceremonial laying of the wreath, and a playing of taps by Sgt. Maj. Robert Smither (Ret.).
This year marks the 51st anniversary of when the last American troops departed from Vietnam on March 29, 1973.
The purpose of the Missouri Vietnam Veterans Memorial is to honor the fallen and properly thank Vietnam War Veterans for their sacrifice and bravery. The memorial stands near the College’s entrance and bears the names of the 1,410 Missourians who served and died in the Vietnam War.
The Missouri legislators made this memorial at College of the Ozarks the official Vietnam War Memorial for the state of Missouri with Missouri Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, which was sponsored by Senator David Sater from Missouri District 29. The resolution was adopted in May 2014.
The memorial is another way to further the College’s vision – which is to develop citizens of Christlike character who are well-educated, hardworking, and patriotic.
The above press release is from the College of the Ozarks.