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THE IOLA REGISTER Monday, November 11, 2013
SALUTING THOSE WHO SERVED Veterans Day 2013
ARMY GREEN HIS FAVORITE COLOR By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Area veterans ride in the Veterans Day parade Saturday morning in downtown Iola. REGISTER/BOB
JOHNSON
STANDING ON TRADITION By BOB JOHNSON The Iola Register
Bill Shirley, former Iola mayor and retired Army, is old line military. “It bothers me,” Shirley said here Saturday morning, “when the national anthem is played and we have to ask people to stand and remove their hats.” That wasn’t the case Saturday, though, as those gathered under a sunny sky and in balmy temperatures participated in Iola’s annual Veterans Day activities on the south side of the Allen County Courthouse lawn. Other occurrences associated with the military have come about in ways that are compatible with protection of the nation and its inherent freedoms, Shirley said in a short and to the point presentation. “The National Guard in many respects has taken over for the regular Army,” he noted, as well as being responsive to domestic needs. Iola’s Guard unit was quick on the scene to help area residents cope with the devastating flood of 2007. The 891st Engineer Battalion, with
its headquarters in Iola, also did its share in dealing with hostilities in the Mideast, deploying to Iraq, Shirley recalled. Women also have taken an active role in all areas of military life, he added, noting that graduates of Iola High Tyner Apt and Christine Tholen in the Air Force and Megan Coons in the Army are actively serving and his daughters, Sara and Susan, found careers in the military.
Dick Perkins has three sons, but that doesn’t come close to the number of boys he calls his own. He grew close to many during two tours in Vietnam, and he grimaces when thoughts of battles flood back, to when he often felt like the young soldiers’ “father, brother, even confessor.” A flashback to Feb. 14, 1967: Perkins, an imposing figure at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, is leading a patrol in the Mekong Delta. “It was terrible,” Perkins said, when the Viet Cong unleashed a furious attack accentuated by machine gun fire and grenade explosions. His men — average age slightly more than 18 — were being cut to pieces. One stepped on a Claymore mine and died instantly; others cried in anguish from their wounds. “To this day I don’t know how I did it,” Perkins said, of the sudden burst of strength he had to pick up a wounded soldier in his arms and head for an evacuation helicopter. The way was over a 10-foot-long log, with stakes driven on either side that would have impaled him and the wounded soldier had he slipped. Then, he dashed across 100 yards of open ground where Claymore mines were buried. “I told him we might not make it,” Perkins recalled of a brief conversation before the rescue. “He said, ‘Go for it.’” That evening a grenade detonated near enough to Perkins that shrapnel ripped into his body and the See PERKINS | Page A4
AT THE START, Iolan Becky French sang the national anthem and a touching number at the closing. Black balloons were released to recognize Kansans who remain missing in action, and with little breeze the balloons slowly rose in the sky and hung over downtown until well after ceremonies concluded. Iola Elks served beans prior to a noon parade that featured local veterans, Guardsmen carrying a huge U.S. flag, Iola High’s Marching Mustangs Band and other units.
Bob Johnson may be contacted by email at bob@ iolaregister.com.
Dick Perkins
Iola fourth graders honor veterans Fourth graders at Jefferson Elementary honored veterans on Friday afternoon with a program, fifth year for the project at the school. Students invited family members who have served in the military to the program in the school’s gym. They sang patriotic songs for their guests. Those who invited guests introduced them to the
crowd. Grandparents, parents, cousins and uncles each took a moment to tell students about their time served in the military. Many veterans brought visuals, such as photos of the Navy ships they served on and their dog tags. This program was to help teach the students about American history and honor those who dedicated their time to the country.
Quote of the day Vol. 116, No. 12
Jefferson Elementary fourth graders sing patriotic songs to guest veterans Friday. REGISTER/KAYLA
BANZET
“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” — Patrick Henry 75 Cents
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