Mo. Guard recognizes Vietnam War Veterans

Maj. Joe Leahy (far left) and Staff Sgt. Agnes Eyler (far right) from the Missouri National Guard’s 35th Engineer Brigade presented (from left to right) Virgil Thurlkill, James Smith, Dannie Floyd, Billy Freed and Roger Johnson with a medallion, a commemorative coin and a certificate for their service during the Vietnam War.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Decades following their sacrifice, Soldiers were honored with awards for their service during the Vietnam War in a ceremony hosted by the Missouri National Guard.

Maj. Joe Leahy and Staff Sgt. Agnes Eyler from the Missouri National Guard's 35th Engineer Brigade presented Virgil Thurlkill, James Smith, Dannie Floyd, Billy Freed and Roger Johnson with a medallion, a commemorative coin and a certificate.

"I know we've been waiting a long time for this," said Thurlkill. "For some people this means coming home."

"It's an honor for me as a Veteran and Guardsman to recognize the Service members who came before me," said Leahy during the ceremony.

The Missouri Veterans Recognition Program is traced to an April 23, 1919 act of the Missouri General Assembly. The act authorized the Missouri adjutant general to procure and present a medal to each member of the National Guard of Missouri who served with a Missouri unit and veterans who served with the regular armed forces in the Spanish American War, Mexican Border Service or WWI.

The WWII awards program was announced in 2000, allowing every Missouri Veteran and spouses of deceased veterans who honorably served during the period of December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946, to apply for the award. To date, 44,442 WWII awards have been presented.

In 2003, the Korean War Veterans Award was authorized for veterans who served either in the United States or overseas from June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955. To date, 15,149 Korean awards have been presented. In 2006, the Vietnam War award was authorized for veterans who served from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975.

Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been honoring these Veterans in ceremonies across the state.

Leahy said his uncle served in the Vietnam War and to this day he can still remember the heartache his family went through while he served and the day he finally came home.

"I understand the importance of that day for my family and for the families of those with us today," said Leahy during the ceremony. "From every Soldier of the Missouri National Guard, I'd like to thank you for your dedication to your country."

"This means a lot," said Thurlkill. "It means so much to us and our families to have the Guard here and to be recognized."

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