Our 34rd Year • Over 18,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 26 • July 2, 2026 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
Three Rutherford Vietnam Veterans inducted into Washington Memory Program Article by Jean Gordon and In Memory Program Staff
both our loss and his legacy in a way I never have before. When he died in 2020 from More than 760 Vietnam glioblastoma caused by Agent veterans, including 25 from Orange, it felt like his story North Carolina —three from had ended too quietly for a Rutherford County — were man who had given so much. inducted into the Vietnam To see him honored through Veterans Memorial Fund’s the In Memory program, and (VVMF) In Memory Program in to know his name lives on 2026. VVMF believes all those also at the Orange Heart who served in the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Tennessee, War should be honored and was a powerful reminder remembered for their service. that his sacrifice did not go The In Memory program unnoticed. As I placed a rose enables the families and in his memory on Father’s friends of those who came Day, I wasn’t just mourning home and later died, the my dad; I was honoring the opportunity to have them be soldier, the husband, the forever memorialized. father, and the gentle, steady On Saturday, June 20 VVMF presence who shaped my life. hosted the 2026 In Memory Being able to participate in the ceremony on the East Knoll rose ceremony on Father’s of the Vietnam Veterans Day wrapped my grief and Memorial, where each 2026 my gratitude together. I was honoree’s names were read surrounded by others who aloud. understand this unique kind “For many Vietnam of loss and I felt less alone. veterans, coming home from It meant everything to know Vietnam was just the beginning that my dad’s courage, his of a whole new fight. Many suffering from Agent Orange, never fully recovered, either and the love he poured into our physically or emotionally, family are now permanently from their experiences. As recognized. In that moment, these veterans pass, it is our Melissa LeRoy of Forest City places a card at the memorial plaque. Each card has a message from a I felt immense pride, deep duty and solemn promise friend or family member. These will be kept along with all the items left at the wall. Nothing is thrown away. sorrow, and a quiet peace, to welcome them home to knowing that his name, his the place that our nation has story, and his sacrifice will Their son Michael Hegeman from Long still surviving are still cared for and still set aside to remember our Vietnam Island, New York and granddaughter honored,” he said. continue to be spoken and remembered.” veterans,” said Jim Knotts, president and Dakota Currier, a student at UNCC, Melissa Metcalf LeRoy of Forest City CEO of VVMF. The plaque that honors attended the ceremony. also attended the Veterans ceremony these veterans was dedicated as a part “I just felt completely humbled with in Washington to of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in such a sense of gratitude for what dad remember her father, 2004. It reads: “In Memory of the men did at such a young age,” said Michael. Oscar Metcalf. He and women who served in the Vietnam “Also it was very grounding to see how was inducted into War and later died as a result of their many people lost their lives fighting the In-Memory service. We honor and remember their for this country not returning home. I Program in 2020 sacrifice.” am very grateful for his memory to be but the ceremony Rutherford County Vietnam veterans able to live on with all the other brave on June 20 was her honored were Ronald L. Hardin of men and women. I feel such a level of first opportunity to Rutherfordton; Daniel J. Hegeman from appreciation.” honor him publicly in Rutherfordton and Arthur C. Littlejohn, Jr. He said he is very grateful for what Washington. from Forest City. Hardin died on Sept. 16, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Melissa said, “This 2019; Hegeman died on Oct, 31, 2024 does to honor the men and women who past Father’s Day and Littlejohn passed away Jan. 24, bravely fought for the country. weekend, attending 2025. Lynn said when Dan became sick the In Memory Lynn Hegeman of Rutherfordton and with Agent Orange, “We knew what we ceremony and reading family members attended the ceremony were dealing with. It is a different type my dad’s name aloud, Michael Hegeman, son of Lynn and Dan Hegeman, and and placed roses at The Vietnam Wall in of caregiving, showing those that are I felt the weight of granddaughter Dakota Currier during the ceremony in honor of her late husband Dan Hegeman. Washington on June 20.
Continued on page 3.
©CommunityFirstMedia
ED STEIBEL IMPORTS.com
1016 COLLEGE AVE. • SHELBY, NC “Quality Used Hondas” (Hwy 150 Near Boiling Springs)
704-487-5520
* Down Payments are 20% or less of cash price, O.A.C.
2001 PONTIAC MONTANA
2004 HONDA CRV LX
2008 HONDA RIDGELINE RT
2011 HONDA ACCORD EX-L
2013 HONDA CRV- EX-L
V/6, Extended Length, 171K Miles.
4-Cyl. Auto., 26 Hwy Economy
V/6, 4x4, Only 165K Miles.
4 Cyl., Leather Interior, 160K Miles.
4-Cyl., Leather, 155k Miles.
$
2,350
$
2,995
$
8,998
$
9,500
$
10,500
2017 HONDA ACCORD SPORT 4-Cyl., Auto.,159K Miles.
$
13,600