Vietnam War Veterans Honored at Loudoun County Courthouse

Vietnam War Veterans were welcomed home and given a rousing THANK YOU on Sunday, March 29 at the Loudoun County Vietnam War Monument in front of the Loudoun County Courthouse. The event was co-sponsored by the Sgt Maj John Champe (SMJC) Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution, VFW Post 1177, and American Legion Leonard W. Kidd Memorial Post 2001. Leonard W. Kidd was a U.S. Army Specialist 5 killed July 27, 1970 in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam.

The National Anthem was led by United States Army Veteran Anita Bonner. Mrs. Bonner is past regent of the Lanes Mill Chapter NSDAR and the treasurer for Virginia Society DAR District VIII.

Captain Kenneth "Dutch" Rauch, a Vietnam Veteran, was guest speaker. He talked about his experience as a young Navy pilot flying missions in A-4 Skyhawk's against North Vietnam from USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14), and USS Oriskany (CVA-34) in 1968-1969. He returned flying A-7 Corsair II's from USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and was there for the evacuation of Saigon.

The commemoration of Vietnam War veterans was attended by Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution President Darrin Schmidt was gave remarks emphasizing the importance of honoring all United States military veterans. He presented Captain Rauch a SAR 250th Anniversary challenge coin.

Remarks and greetings were also given by Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair at Large, Phyllis Randall who remembered her Vietnam Veteran father. Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman gave greetings and remarks as did Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk.

A POW/MIA flag was displayed next to a Missing Man Table to honor veterans of all wars who remain unaccounted for. One-thousand five Hundred and sixty-six (1566) Vietnam Veterans remain unaccounted for. In 2025 the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency repatriated eight (8) Vietnam Veterans.

The names of twelve (12) veterans from Loudoun County killed in Vietnam were read by United States Air Force Veteran LtCol Chuck Loomis. After each name was read Vietnam and United States Marine Corps Veteran Mark Sink rang a 1/3 size Liberty Bell.

In addition to SMJC SAR, VFW-1177 and American Legion Post 2001, there were five chapters of the Virginia Society Daughters of the American Revolution honoring Vietnam War Veterans, The Reverend John Marks Society Children of the American Revolution participated by handing out programs and presenting a wreath honoring Vietnam War Veterans.

Presentation of wreaths is a way to honor Veterans. Presenting wreaths were: VASSAR President Darrin Schmidt, Martin Gainey for SMJC Chapter, Judy Shepard, Regent for the Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter DAR, Lori Fallace, Regent for the Ketoctin Chapter DAR, Anita Bonner for Lanes Mill Chapter DAR and Virginia DAR District VII, Wyndy Fredrick, Regent Camron Parish Chapter DAR, Anne Ballenger, Regent Mary Hemings Bell Chapter DAR, Annabell Fredrick & Addison Vaughan for the Reverend John Marks Society Children of the American Revolution.

Closing the ceremony was a three gun rifle salute and the rendering of Taps. The VFW Post 1177 rifle squad of Lee Gortman, Gus Spier, and Max Guitierrez executed the rifle salute. VFW Post 1177 compatraiot Bob Cranson rendered Taps.