Artist Linda Paluka flew in from Arizona to paint the fourth white rose on the POW/MIA chair at the G.I. Joe Living History Museum. The white roses symbolize those North Carolina servicemembers missing in action in Vietnam who have been recovered. There were three white roses on the chair for Bunyan Durant Price Jr., Edgar Felton Davis, and Edwin Everton Morgan. The fourth rose was added for Frederick Hall. 

The latest rose represents 1Lt. Frederick Hall, an airman from the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron,  336th Tactical Fighter Wing. Hall, the navigator of an F-4D Phantom II, went missing in action on April 12, 1969, when he and the pilot he was flying with, Colonel DeSoto, were returning from a canceled strike mission in the Quang Nam Province.

His remains were recovered in 1995 and sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for identification. His name is recorded on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Later promoted to captain, Hall will be buried in his hometown of Waynesville, NC, on October 10, 2023.

Ray Echevarria’s name was also previously added to the chair and symbolized with a red rose since he was never recovered. His son was a member of the Kinston Fire Department. Echevarria, originally from New York, joined the Army from North Carolina and served in the 5th Special Forces Group. He was declared missing in action after a mission in Laos on October 3, 1966.

https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3355818/airman-accounted-for-from-vietnam-war-hall-f/

Veterans Events Around Lenior

Vietnam Veterans of America State Council to host the Aging Veteran event at LCC

The correct phone number for this event is (252) 560-8031.

AMVets Post #1111 to host veterans outreach ride and fundraiser

On October 7, 2023, AMVets will host their veterans outreach and fundraiser at the Boneyard Harley-Davidson in Winterville. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m. The ride will start in Winterville and cost $20 per rider and $5 for a passenger. There will be free food, beer, and vendors after the ride.

The initiative is designed to connect with younger veterans who may not be comfortable with conventional community outreach events. The ultimate goal is to establish a private gaming community for veterans. More information is available through the Boneyard, which is sponsoring the event. https://www.facebook.com/events/2068335490170301/