Vietnam Veterans of America Carson City Chapter 388 unveiled a plaque March 26 with the names of members who have died. The memorial will be placed with others at Mills Park. From left are George Howard, Tom Spencer and Raymond LaRouchelle.
Steve Ranson/LVN
Not only did the Vietnam Veterans of America Carson City Chapter 388 recognize the men and women who served during the Vietnam War during their March 26 ceremony, but they also honored former chapter members who have died over the years.
Near the end of the ceremony, chapter President Tom Spencer, along with George Howard and Raymond LaRouchelle, unveiled a memorial at Mills Park containing the names of 25 deceased members.
“The plaque has names on it of people who have died,” Spencer said of the chapter members he knew. “I lost one yesterday. They were good friends I knew for a long time.”
Spencer said LaRouchelle came up with the design and constructed the memorial. Eventually, Spencer said the local memorial will be placed with the others at the south end of the park. He said other VVA chapters approved of the Carson City memorial being placed with the others.
Spencer said it was good for the veterans to attend the short ceremony that’s held to recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, which was signed into law by former President Donald Trump, honors Vietnam veterans with a day of recognition. Although the official date is March 29, Vietnam groups in Northern Nevada honored their fallen comrades either on Saturday or Sunday.
“It’s important for veterans to gather, to reflect on Vietnam,” Spencer said.
Afterward, VVA 338 hosted a barbecue for the veterans and guests. Spencer said Brenda Horton came up with the idea for a barbecue to promote camaraderie.
An emotional part of every ceremony occurs when veterans read the names of Nevadans who were killed during the war. According to the Nevada Department of Veteran Services, more than 8 million men and women served during the Vietnam era. In Nevada, 149 military personnel lost their lives.
Carson City residents remembered were Sgt. Daniel L. Ackerman, Petty Officer 3 Michael A. Bodamer, Cpl. David. L. Collins, Spec. 4 Danny L. Smothers, Lance Cpl. Keith D. Taylor, Cmdr. Frederick H. Whittemore and Cpl. James R. Willis.
Other area residents included Cpl. Dale Eugene Hutchins, Douglas County, and Sgt. Danny Gerald Studdard, Virginia City; and Cpl. Walter D. Hogan, Lance Cpl. Peter Quilici, Jr., and Pvt. 1st Class Roger A. Steele, Lyon County.
Seven hailed from Churchill County: Mahlon R. Arnett, Pfc. Michael D. Blea, Sgt. 1st Class Billy D. Hill, Spec. 4 Willard V. Johnson, Spec. 4 Fredrick E. Larsen, Capt. Eddie Molino, Jr., Spec. 4 Ronald R. Rodrigues and Spec. 5 William R. Rogne.
