BY KYLE LOVERN
There is no doubt citizens from Appalachia have always stepped up and served the United States in the military and during wartime.
The people of this region have played a major role in fighting for and defending America. From the Revolutionary War to the recent battles in the Middle East, Appalachian men and women have been at the forefront of serving in the military and fighting these battles.
Maybe it’s because our people are very patriotic. The saying on the West Virginia state flag is “Mountaineers are Always Free.”
Some say those raised in the mountains make good soldiers because many grow up hunting, roaming the hills and shooting guns. Plus, they are very loyal. I wouldn’t argue that theory.
Last week our country observed Veterans Day where we honor those who have served in the military and those who gave their lives to preserve our freedom. We should honor these veterans every day of the year.
I am proud to say my late father, Sam Lovern, served in the Army during World War II. He was what has been called part of the “greatest generation.” He was awarded three Bronze Stars after serving in the South Pacific in the fight against the Japanese.
Many from Kentucky and West Virginia served during WWI, WWII, the Korean War and in Vietnam.
My brother-in-law Bill Dotson, like many others from the Tug Valley area, was in the Army during the Vietnam War. Here are some facts about those from the Mountain State during that war.
More West Virginians served in the Vietnam War than any other state per capita.
West Virginia also had the highest casualty rate per capita.
The majority of West Virginians who served in the Vietnam War enlisted.
Nine West Virginians were awarded the Medal of Honor.
In total, 36,578 West Virginians served, and most of them began as teenagers. Of those, 1,128 were killed.
The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial website reports that 1,108 Kentuckians were among the approximately 58,000 Americans who died in the conflict.
I was a young teenager during the Vietnam War and remember watching the daily news about the casualties. The newspaper headlines were always filled with news about the conflict. If that war had continued, I might have even joined or been drafted. But it ended right before I turned 18, the age for the draft.
I always had a soft spot for all veterans, especially those who served in Vietnam. They were treated differently when they came back home than those who served in previous wars.
Most of these young men were between 18 and 22 years old. Many took their senior trip to basic training and then flew over to the jungles in the South Pacific. Much like those who did the same in WWII fighting the Japanese in the Philippines, Guam and other islands in that part of the world.
When you find out someone is a veteran, even if they may not have served during a war or overseas, give them a special thank you. Serving in the military, in any branch, takes a special kind of person.
So a huge salute to our nation’s veterans for all they have done and will do in the future.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist.)