MOUNT JEWETT — Starting at 11 a.m. today at McClellan Avenue in Mount Jewett, the parade will travel down Main Street to the Veterans Gazebo where the Memorial Day service will be held.
This year’s parade marshal is Richard Allen Pritchard. He was born in April 1932 and raised in Clermont. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on the Aug. 11, 1950. He was assigned to the 38th INF Regiment as an infantry man. He earned a Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, as well as three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart with 10 leaf clusters for being wounded twice during the Korean War.
The first award came as a result of injuries suffered May 16, 1951, in what was called the punchbowl –– a location in Korea. The second award was for injuries that occurred on Sept. 11, 1951, in Kumwha Valley, Korea, where he spent months in a Korean hospital.
He achieved the rank of Corporal and was discharged on Aug. 10, 1953. He then returned to Mount Jewett and has remained there ever since.
Serving as speaker of the day will be Army Warrant Officer Dr. Dennis Faucher; he and his wife, Debra, have been residents of the Willow Creek area for 15 years.
Faucher has practiced dentistry in Bradford for 23 years. During the Vietnam War he was a 19-year-old warrant officer flying the icon of that war, the Bell UH-1 (Huey) helicopter.
He served as a pilot with the 129th Assault Helicopter Co. in Binh Dinh Province and the Central Highlands from September 1971 through August 1972.
Faucher flew more than 1000 hours as a pilot and aircraft commander. During this time he had five forced landings, three of which involved hostile fire during descent. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service and 19 Air Medals.
During his tour, he lost one crew chief. He also had three to four troops wounded or killed getting off his craft.
His greatest honor was that of a burial escort for Warrant Officer Claud P. Strother of Port Arthur, Texas. Strother was his friend and roommate in Vietnam and had been their flight school honor graduate. Strother was killed in action with his copilot, 1st Lieutenant Thomas Shaw, on April 27, 1972.
Faucher took Strother home to his family, presented the flag to Strother’s widow, Diane, and then he returned to finish his tour of duty.
Faucher will speak in reference to the honor of military service, family histories, speaking to the young veterans of today and thanking Gold Star recipients’ families.
Master of ceremonies Staff Sergeant Paul Swanson is a retired member of the National Guard.
Chaplain Falkingburg of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6347 will give the invocation and benediction. Jr. Vice Commander Paul Swanson of American Legion Post 574 will read the POW and MIA Remembrance.
Mayor Annie Wolf is slated to read Gen. John A. Logan’s Memorial Day Order.
Placement of the wreath at the monument will be delicately handled by Ladies Auxiliary Secretary Heather Geer, American Legion Jr. Vice Commander Swanson and VFW Commander Patrick Eaton.
A 21-gun salute will be performed by American Legion Post 574 and VFW Post 6347 with taps.
In case of inclement weather the Memorial Day service will be held at the Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club.
