Vermont
Vermont National Guard Honors Former POWs, MIAs
From left: Clyde Cassidy, Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Richard H. Hamilton, William B. Busier and Ralph McClintock pose for a bunch picture after the POW/MIA Day observance at Camp Johnson, Vermont, Sept. 16, 2022. Knight is Vermont’s adjutant basic. Cassidy, Hamilton and Busier are former World Struggle II POWs, and McClintock is a former crew member of the united statesS. Pueblo, which was captured by North Korea in 1968. (U.S. Military Nationwide Guard picture by Don Branum)
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COLCHESTER, Vt. – The Vermont Nationwide Guard and Vermont State Guard honored former prisoners of conflict and people lacking in motion, together with three former World Struggle II POWs and a former POW who was captured by North Korea in 1968.
Clyde Cassidy, William B. Busier, Richard H. Hamilton and Ralph McClintock had been acknowledged Sept. 16 by Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont’s adjutant basic, and an viewers that included Vermont Guard Troopers and Airmen and native veterans.
“I’m honored to welcome our former POWs. Your tales are necessary and will by no means be forgotten,” Knight stated. “I’m completely humbled to be right here and to know your tales. It’s an honor to know you. Humility is a staple of your era, however gents, please know: You might be our heroes, you’re Vermont’s heroes, and also you’re American heroes.”
As a part of the popularity ceremony, Knight offered every of the previous POWs with cash emblazoned with the seal of the adjutant basic and the phrases, “Put the Vermonters Forward.” Earlier than presenting the cash, Knight recalled the historical past of the phrase. On the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, Union Gen. John Sedgwick was instructed his Troopers can be wanted the subsequent morning on the battlefield.
“It was then that Normal Sedgwick issued the order, ‘Put the Vermonters forward, and preserve the column properly closed up,’” Knight stated. “Normal Sedgwick issued that order as a result of Vermonters had a status for laborious marching, and if you happen to take a look at our historical past throughout the Civil Struggle, we additionally had a status for not working from a combat.”
McClintock instructed friends what helped him preserve religion together with his fellow POWs: the cry, “Bear in mind the Pueblo.” He and greater than 80 others aboard the united statesS. Pueblo had been captured by North Korea in 1968 and held for 11 months. The ship remains to be in North Korean custody.
“‘Bear in mind the Pueblo.’ That was our saying till we obtained residence,” McClintock recalled. “Once we obtained residence to Naval Air Station San Diego … everybody was there.” The Navy had paid for members of the family’ airfare, and the San Diego Chamber of Commerce raised cash for resort lodging.
Busier, Cassidy and Hamilton had been all held as POWs within the European theater throughout World Struggle II. Busier was held for six months at Stalag Luft 9A. Cassidy was held at a working farm within the Baltics for 15 months and endured a 70-day compelled march by the hands of the Nazis. Hamilton was held at Stalag Luft 4 in Poland for 9 months.
“We stand in your shoulders, hoping to exemplify what you characterize to us,” Knight stated. “Thanks a lot in your selfless service.”
The remembrance paid particular honor to Pvt. Alevin Hathaway, a former MIA who was laid to relaxation with full navy honors at Hinesburg Village Cemetery Sept. 3. His stays had been transported to Vermont from Boston, the place plane-side honors had been performed Aug. 26. Additionally honored was former POW Kenneth Brown Sr., who died in October on the age of 103.
The POW/MIA observance included a wreath-laying and a service led by Vermont State Guard chaplains. On the finish of the occasion, Maj. Travis Myers, the grasp of ceremonies, led the friends in a rallying cry: “Bear in mind the Pueblo.”
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