Veterans honored

July 06, 2008 09:35 pm

— By Debbie Robinson
news@joplinglobe.com
RACINE — The Missouri National Guard honored 10 area veterans with medals at a ceremony Sunday morning at the Racine Christian Church.
However, only one veteran sported three medals on his breast pocket for his service in three wars.
Maj. Lewis Raines Jr. of Neosho served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Raines’ 28-year military career included service in the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force.
The former pilot said he was overwhelmed by the receipt of the medals.
“These medals are special for every American,” Raines said.
Unlike Raines, who has a Bronze Star, an Air Medal and an Air Force commendation with four oak leaf clusters, many returning soldiers never received medals.
Raines, who turns 82 next week, said he was honored to be included in the ceremony.
Raines joked after the ceremony.
When he landed in Saigon (during the Vietnam War), he said, his father-in-law, who also was in the military, was there to greet him.
In response to his father-in-law asking him what he was doing, Raines said: “I’m making a sign to get the troops out of Vietnam.”
“He didn’t think it was very funny,” Raines laughed.
Also honored Sunday was Staff Sgt. Donald Duncan, of Redings Mill, for his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Duncan said he appreciated the recognition because a lot of the soldiers who returned from Vietnam received no recognition.
“It’s a special day, not just for me, but for anybody who has served in the military,” Duncan said. “It just makes you wonder how many are out there, who have never received awards.”
Lt. Col. Bret Beckley of the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City presented the medals, along with Sgt. Willis Monsees, of Joplin.
Beckley said the sacrifices made by the veterans in past wars were longer.
“The sacrifices they made were much longer,” he said. “A lot of these individuals were gone for years.”
Other Vietnam War veterans honored Sunday include Spc. 1st Class Bruce Bigley of the U.S. Army, Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Jimmy Ridenour of the U.S. Navy, Cpl. Daniel Scorse of the U.S. Marines, Staff Sgt. Omar Stafford of the U.S. Air Force and Pfc. James Wiley of the U.S. Army.
Posthumous medals were awarded to Lt. Col. James Ruzic of the U.S. Air Force for service in Vietnam and Korea.
Korean War veterans honored included Ridenour and Staff Sgt. Clifford Whitehead of the U.S. Air Force.
A posthumous medal was awarded to 2nd Lt. Judd A. Chestnut of the Army Air Force for service in World War II.
Since the Missouri Veterans’ Recognition Program began in 2000, Missouri has honored 43,860 World War II veterans, 14,347 Korean War veterans and nearly 17,000 Vietnam War veterans at ceremonies throughout the state.

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