Vietnam Veterans Honored

Vietnam Veterans Honored

On Thursday,12/27/12 Chief Jeff Lehman of the Montpelier Police Department was the guest of the Montpelier American Legion Post 109. The Legionaries wanted to Thank Chief Lehman for his efforts in loaning an M-16 (Non-firing Replica) which was donated to the police department by the late Ron Hepker, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. After speaking with Post Commander Kevin Motter and seeing the many improvements that have taken place in the veteran's building across from the Police Station, Chief Lehman had the idea and made the decision to obtain approval of the Village Administrator, Pam Lucas, to place the rifle with the veteran's group on permanent loan for open display and the enjoyment of all, especially those men and women who served our country. The M-16; along with rifle magazine and inert hand grenades donated by Neil Haughn of Haughn's Ammo & Ordnance, LLC, and a M-16 Bayonet with Scabbard donated by Larry Sines Sr., join a 1901 Springfield and a soon to be added M-1 Garand in permanent display cases made by Jerry Keesbury. These displays honor the service of past and current Post members from WWI, WWII, Korea and from Vietnam to the present.

Pictured in front of the M-16 Display are from L-R Chief Jeff Lehman and Vietnam era Veterans; Jerry Keesbury, Bob Wurm, David White, John Schuman, and Denny Keesbury.