Eight Poweshiek County area veterans names on Wall that Heals

Kenneth K. Hutton (Deep River), Michael T. Boat (Grinnell) Brett G. Revis (Grinnell), Jerry E. Tew (Grinnell)

Ailey B. Hurley (Monte), Donald W. Thompson (Monte), Kenneth H. Heitmann (Victor), Dennis C. Hamilton (BC)

J.O. Parker

Editor’s note: My goal in doing this article was to recognize area soldiers who died in combat during the Vietnam War. I checked numerous databases for this information. I understand that families who had a veteran serve in Vietnam and return home and who later passed away are not listed in my story. It is not my intention to disrespect any soldier who served in any war or during peacetime or their family. Please feel free to add a tribute to your loved one in the comments of this story. I would be honored to pay tribute to them as well.

       There are eight veterans with Poweshiek County and area ties listed on the Wall that Heals, a three-quarter size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C, coming to Brooklyn next week.
Three are from Grinnell, two from Montezuma, one from Deep River, one from Victor and one from Barnes City.
         The Wall that Heals will arrive in Brooklyn on Tuesday, July 28 by motorcycle escort. The mobile exhibit honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the Vietnam War and bears the engraved names of the 58,281 service members who died or remain missing in action.
          The replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors have the opportunity to experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
          The Wall that Heals is a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (WMF), founders of the Wall.
       On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (WMF) unveiled a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities through the United States. Since its dedication, The Wall That Heals has been displayed in more than 800 communities throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial’s healing legacy to millions.
         The Wall that Heals will be on display, July 30 – Aug. 2 at the BGM football field. The display is free and open to the public 24-hours per day. It will close at 2 p.m. on Aug. 2 with a closing ceremony at 1:45 p.m.
         A memorial program to honor those who served in Vietnam, returned home and since passed will also be taking place during the week. The soldier’s name, picture and short history will be part of an educatioal display at the Wall that Heals.
Schedule of events:
      Tuesday, July 28 - The Wall that Heals arrives in Brooklyn at approximately 3 – 3:30 p.m. with a motorcycle escort. The escort will leave the Iowa Speedway with kickstands up at 2 p.m. and travel Highway 6 through Newton, Kellogg and Grinnell. Due to road construction on Highway 6, the escort will go north through Kellogg, then east on Highway F27 on the north side of Rock Creek and back down on Highway T38 to Highway 6.
          The escort, which is under the direction of Gary and Marsha Hash and Caleb “Cub” Schaffner, will then turn south on Highway 63 and east on Old Highway 6 into Brooklyn, before turning north on Jackson Street to the high school.
           “It is with great pride that our community of Brooklyn has the opportunity to honor those that served in the Vietnam War. While this project has been a tremendous amount of work, the committee along with local businesses and organizations have stepped up to make this manageable and will be an event remembered for a long time,” noted Thomas May, a member of the Wall that Heals Committee.
Wednesday, July 29 - Set up of the Wall that Heals starts at 8:30 a.m. with volunteer orientation at 6 p.m.
           Thursday, July 30 – Exhibit opens at 2 p.m. and will remain open 24-hours a day for visitors to stop, reflect and to enjoy; A Welcome Home Ceremony is slated for 6 p.m. at the football field. Keynote speaker will be Vietnam Veteran Capt. William "Hawk" Albracht, author of “Abandoned in Hell.”
         Friday, July 31 – Light the Night Orange will be held in remembrance of those affected by Agent Orange at 9 p.m.
       Saturday, Aug. 1 – The Iowa Military Veterans Band comprised of 60 members will be performing at the MJM Community Center from 1 – 2 p.m. at 105 Jackson St. This is a free event open to the public that you won’t want to miss. Bring your friends and family.
            Sunday, Aug. 2 – Closing Ceremony at 1:45 p.m.
Following is an overview of each soldier including hometown and panel they are on:
 
Kenneth Keith Hutton (Deep River) – Panel 41E – Line 10
TSGT – E6 - Air Force – Regular
His tour began on Sept. 20, 1967 and he died on Feb. 24, 1968 in Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam. Hostile, ground casualty artillery, rocket or mortar. His body was recovered.
 
Michael Terry Boat (Grinnell) – Panel 19W – Line 91
SP5 – EF – Army – Regular – 1st AVN BDE
His tour began on Sept. 21, 1968 and he died on Aug. 22, 1969 in Binh Long Province, South Vietnam. Non-hostile, helicopter – crew – Air loss, crash on land. His body was recovered.
 
Brett Grant Revis (Grinnell) – Panel 18W – Line 43
PFC – E3 – Army – Selective Service – 199th Light Infantry Brigade.
His tour began on July 26, 1969 and he died on Sept. 5, 1969 in Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam. Hostile, ground casualty with multiple fragmentation wounds. His body was recovered.
 
Jerry Eugene Tew (Grinnell) – Panel 02W – Line 55
PFC - E3 – Army – Selective Service – USSARV
His tour began on July 19, 1971 and he died on Oct. 29, 1971 in Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam. Non-hostile, ground casualty intentional homicide. His body was recovered.
 
Ailey Berdean Hurley (Montezuma) – Panel 19E – Line 82
PFC – E3 – Army – Selective Service – 1st Cav Division (AMBL)
His tour began on April 2, 1967 and he died on May 10, 1967 in Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam. Hostile ground casualty gun, small arms fire. His body was recovered.
 
Donald Wayne Thompson (Montezuma) – Panel 31E – Line 26
CPL – E4 – Army – Selective Service - 25th Infantry Division.
His tour began on Sept. 10, 1967 and he died on Dec. 2, 1967 in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. Hostile, died while missing, ground casualty with multiple fragmentation wounds. His body was recovered.
 
Kenneth Harry Heitmann (Victor) – Panel 12W – Line 42
SGT – E5 – Army – Regular – 196th Light Infantry Brigade
His tour began on Feb. 5, 1970 and he died on March 25, 1970 in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. Hostile, ground casualty gun, small arms fire. His body was recovered.
 
Dennis Clark Hamilton (Barnes City) – Panel 33E – Line 49
CWO – W3 – Army – Reserve 1st AVN BDE
His tour began on Jan. 5, 1968 and he died on Jan. 8, 1979 (incident date, Jan. 5, 1968) in LZ, Laos. Hostile, died while missing, helicopter – pilot. Air loss or crash over land. Body was not recovered, but found later.

       The Wall that Heals coming to Brooklyn, July 28 – Aug. 2, is headed up by a committee. Pictured are, from left, front row: Gary Hash, Rusty Clayton, Marsha Hash, Sandy Prior, Thom May. Back row: Tom Ryan, Pat Tarpey, Larry Massengale, Russ Schuck, Don Lastkovka, Dave Hostetler, Shelly Dunnick, Caleb “Cubby” Schaffner, and Quinton Douglas. Not pictured are Sally May and Ralph Marrero. Submitted photo.