BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION
On June 4, 1988, the class of 1968 held its first memorial service to honor our 20 classmates who died in service to our nation in the Vietnam War. It was held in Washington DC on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and it became a proud tradition of the Class. A similar ceremony was held each 5 years, in June of 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013. In 2016, a similar ceremony was held on the grounds of the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, GA. 20 pavers had been installed at that Museum to honor our fallen classmates. Those pavers are in the walkway of a replica Vietnam Memorial Wall at the Museum. With the opening of the National Museum of the US Army, at Fort Belvoir, VA, the Class installed 20 pavers plus a 21st paver introducing the 20 pavers. Remembrance Weekend, June 3-5, 2022, was organized to feature a ceremony at the Army Museum to recognize those pavers. The weekend included a traditional Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Wall and a special Tribute ceremony in the Army Museum where 20 classmates each read a tribute to the lives of our 20 fallen classmates. In addition, Classmate John Hedley released his book “From The Shadows...A Tribute to the 1968 West Point Graduates Who Gave Their Lives in Vietnam.” In keeping with our tradition, we invited next of kin family's of our 20 fallen classmates, and many joined us. This portion of the Class Web Page features items from the June 3-5 Remembrance Weekend.
| Remarks at the Wall by Dutch Hostler.pdf |
