Fulton's Independence Day Parade honored World War II veterans in the 2013 parade and last year, Korean War veterans were the parade's grand marshals. This year, a new era of veterans will be commemorated.
"This year, you might say it was Vietnam's turn," parade organizer and co-chair Dave Beaver said.
Because of the plethora of Vietnam veterans still alive from Callaway County and the limited number of convertibles available, Beaver and his assistant parade co-chair Tom Maupin said they decided to change who they've traditionally chosen as the parade's grand marshals.
This Saturday, parade attendees will see the names of 10 Callaway County Vietnam veterans killed in action on a banner on the side of each convertible to receive individual recognition. Each banner will also list the veteran's date of birth, rank, military branch and day of death.
Four of the veterans' families will be directly representing their loved one by riding in the vehicle designated for their relative - one family is traveling from Kentucky to participate in the parade.
The 10 Callaway County Vietnam veterans killed in action who will be remembered in the parade include:
Pfc. Terry Dean Craighead - Craighead was born on Nov. 11, 1942, and was a Fulton native before starting his tour as an infantryman on May 18, 1966. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he was killed by hostile fire in Pleiku Province, South Vietnam on Aug. 2, 1966. He was laid to rest in Fulton. Craighead will be represented by his sister Kathy Craighead in the parade. Kathy was four years old when he was killed in the line of duty.
Pfc. Vernon Bernard Todd - Todd was born on May 20, 1945, in what a town once called Cedar City. He began his tour on Apr. 16, 1966, and served as a heavy vehicle driver. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he died from multiple fragmentation wounds in South Vietnam on Nov. 11, 1966 - the specific province was not reported. Todd was laid to rest in Fulton.
1st Lt. Elwood Randall Hendrix - Hendrix was born on Apr. 9, 1943, in Fulton. He started his tour on June 9, 1967, as an infantry unit commander. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he died from an enemy explosive device in Long An Province, South Vietnam on Sept. 12, 1967.
Spc. 4 Bill Dean Poff - Poff was born on Nov. 27, 1944, and lived in Auxvasse before heading to Vietnam as an infantryman on Jan. 5, 1968. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he died from multiple fragmentation wounds on June 3, 1968, in Dinh Toung Province, South Vietnam.
Pfc. Frank Edward Johnson - Johnson was born on July 6, 1948, and lived in Auxvasse before beginning his tour on Mar. 25, 1969. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he died from burn wounds on May 12, 1969, in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam.
Capt. John Vernon Taylor, Jr. - Taylor was born on March 3, 1940, in Fulton. His brother, Ed (Butch) Taylor, also a Vietnam veteran, said Taylor attended grade school and high school in Fulton. He attended Westminster College, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta. He graduated in 1964.
"He was a premed student but upon graduation, he joined the army to fulfill his military obligation (ROTC)," Taylor wrote in an email. "After officer's basics he was sent to Augsburg, Germany. After Germany he returned to the states and worked at the Pentagon and then at Fort Belvoir in Virginia."
Shortly after, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division as company commander on Jan. 3, 1967.
"During the first part of November of 1967, he was involved with Operation MacArthur, which took place in the central highlands around Dark To," Taylor stated in an email.
According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he was killed by enemy fire on Nov. 4, 1967, in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. Taylor said his brother was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Taylor will be riding in the parade as well as Ed's wife and son. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
Master Sgt. Lewis Everett McDermott - McDermott was born Aug. 5, 1932, and lived in Fulton. He started his tour in Vietnam on Aug. 31, 1967. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he was killed by an enemy explosive device on Dec. 6, 1967, in Bihn Dihn Province, South Vietnam.
Pfc. Orville Allen Sheets - Sheets was born Jan. 24, 1946, and was a Fulton native. He started his tour on Jan. 10, 1968, as an infantryman. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he died from multiple fragmentation wounds on Feb. 14, 1968 in Bihn Duong Province, South Vietnam. He was laid to rest in Fulton. Sheets' aunt Carol Atterbery will be representing him in the parade.
Cpl. Thomas Michael Baker - Baker was born June 5, 1947, and lived in Fulton. His tour began on Feb. 4, 1968, and served as an infantryman. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, he was killed by enemy gun fire on May 19, 1968 in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. He was laid to rest in Callaway County. Baker's brother, Bobby Baker, and possibly another brother will be riding in the parade.
Staff Sgt. Henry Elmer Evans - Evans was born on Sept. 16, 1934. According to the Virtual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Evans' home of record is listed as Henderson, TX. According to Maupin, Evans lived somewhere in Callaway County. His tour started on June 18, 1971, and he served as a unit supply sergeant. He died on Dec. 23, 1971, in Bihn Dihn Province, South Vietnam, and the Memorial Wall lists the casualty reason as "vehicle loss or crash."
Although these 10 Callaway County Vietnam vets killed in action may not have crossed paths on the battlefield or while carrying out their duties, they will be honored together for making the ultimate sacrifice.