By Kathy Thompson, The Daily Standard
Members of the American Legion Post 508 in Rockford recently helped dedicate a memorial for Pfc. Benny James Sapp, of Rockford, who died Nov. 20, 1968, in South Vietnam.
Fifty years ago the United States’ military presence was ramped up in South Vietnam.
More than 3,000 Ohioans lost their lives in that conflict, seven from Mercer County and 14 from Auglaize County, according to records from the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office. More than 3 million men and women served in some type of military service during the conflict with more than 58,000 killed and 1,600 still considered missing.
Events to honor those who served as well as the fallen have been happening throughout the country during this anniversary year.
Earlier this month, Celina VFW Post 5713 hosted a dinner for all Mercer County veterans, and the 75 veterans who attended were given a 50th Anniversary Northwest Territorial Mint Commemorative Pin.
In a more recent private ceremony, Pfc. Benny James Sapp, who lost his life outside Binh Duong in South Vietnam on Nov. 20, 1968, was honored by his family and friends in Rockford. He was 19 years old when he was killed.
Members of American Legion Post 508 joined family members in the dedication of a memorial garden that includes an American flag and a large stone with Benny’s picture at the home of his oldest brother, Charles Sapp, on Front Street.
“Benny was the greatest,” said a younger brother, Steve Sapp, 54, of Chattanooga. “We shared a bedroom until he left and he made sure I was included in a lot of things.”
Sapp said Benny made sure he played Saturday morning football with his friends, took him to school and even took him on dates.
“We just had a close relationship even though he was a teenager and I was still pretty young. I was 10 years younger than him, but he took care of me,” Sapp said.
Read the full story by Kathy Thompson from the Daily Standard.