Reminder: Highly-Decorated War Hero Recognized at Smyrna Veterans Day Ceremony

Staff Report

On the evening of February 6, 1968, North Vietnamese armor and infantry attacked at Lang Vei, Vietnam, hitting 24 Americans and 850 South Vietnamese and Laotian troops. By the next morning, the North Vietnamese had won, killing 316, wounding 75 and capturing 253 defenders. Of the 24 Americans, 21 were killed, captured or wounded. One of the 24 men was Col. Paul R. Longgrear. He will be the guest speaker at Smyrna’s Veterans Day event, taking place Tuesday, November 11, 2014 from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Smyrna, Georgia will honor him and all American Veterans.

Col. Longgrear, US Army Special Forces (Ret.), survived the Battle of Lang Vei, and during two tours in Vietnam, earned the Silver Star, Bronze Stars for Valor and three Purple Hearts. He is the focus of the recent award-winning documentary “The Man Left Behind,” and has even been honored by the creation of a commemorative action figure.

The Georgia Army National Guard’s 116th Army Band will play patriotic music in honor of the 100th anniversary of WW I. Their Armed Forces Medley is always a crowd favorite. Belmont Hills Elementary School Choir will sing tributes.

The event will be at the Veterans Memorial at 800 King Street (by Smyrna City Hall and the Smyrna Library). Both the event and parking are free to all. In case of inclement weather, the event will be inside the adjacent Smyrna Community Center.

The event is sponsored by The City of Smyrna, the Smyrna Veterans Committee, the Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna, American Legion Post 160, and the Smyrna Rotary Club.