04 Jan Flagpole Dedicated to Viet Nam Dead
November 9, 1966
Flagpole Dedicated to Viet Nam Dead
Fayette County will dedicate a new flagpole on its courthouse lawn on Friday, November 11, and honor the heroes from the county who have given their lives in the war in Viet Nam. Commission Chairman Howell Handley will preside over the ceremonies, which will begin at 11 a.m. Grady Huddleston, of Fayetteville, will give the principal remarks.
PFC Tom Boren. 19-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. Boren of Route 3, Fayetteville was the county’s first casualty, killed June 10 of this year. The pole will have a brass plaque on which will be inscribed “in memory of Fayette Countians who have given their lives in service in Viet Nam.” The first nameplate will bear the name of Pfc. Tom E. Boren, June 10, 1966, DaHang, Viet Nam.
A U. S. Marine color guard will be on hand to raise the flag and the newly formed Fayette County High School band will also play, directed by Ben Westberry.
Mr. Handley said the flagpole will be dedicated to all Fayette Countians who give their lives in the Viet Nam struggle.
Tom Boren was born in Bessemer, Ala., and had lived in Fayette County for just over two years. He was a member of the Fayetteville Methodist Church. His family moved from Alabama to Georgia in 1960, and he graduated from Forest Park High School in 1965. Tom enlisted in the Marine Corps on December 29, 1965.
Tom received his basic training at Parris Island and Camp LeJeune, N. C., and was sent to Camp Pendleton, Calif., for training in the principles of small unit tactics. He started his trip to DaNang, South Vet Nam on May 29, Landing at DaNang on June 6, Tom was assigned to a platoon the following day. Tom’s outfit went into combat on June 8, and he was killed two days later.
SOURCE: Fayette County News November 9, 1966.
BY: Tony V. Parrott
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