Vietnam memorial unveiled at Knox County Courthouse

Monday, November 13, 2006

By JOHN R. PULLIAM

The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - A ceremony on the east lawn of the Knox County Courthouse following Sunday's Veterans Day Parade included the unveiling of a memorial to those who served in Vietnam.

Monmouth attorney David Reid Clark, a Marine Corps veteran, paid some of the highest tributes to veterans who have served in the U.S. military.

"We can all thank Jesus for saving our souls, but we all need to think the American veteran for saving our freedom," Clark said. "By the sacrifices of the American veterans, today America stands alone as the world's only superpower. And there is universal agreement in all civilized portions of the planet, even in Russia, if there is to be one superpower in the world, then thank God almighty it is the United States of America."

Also present during the ceremony were Keith and Carolyn Maupin, who came all the way from Ohio to be in the parade. Their son, Matt Maupin of the 724th Transportation Co. in Bartonville, is missing in action in Iraq.

"Thank you to our veterans for everything you have done for our country," Carolyn Maupin said. "Our prayers will help bring Matt home."

After First Sgt. Anthony Trisilla, a Vietnam veteran, spoke, and Ralph and Edith Ecklund of Knoxville, whose son, Maj. Arthur "Artie" Ecklund, was listed as MIA in the Vietnam War until his body was identified two years ago, were introduced, a Boy Scout cut away the covering of the Vietnam memorial.

Sitting on the north lawn of the courthouse, next to similar markers for veterans of the Korean War and World War II, the memorial reads, "This marker is dedicated to the men and women who served in the military forces of the United States of America during the Vietnam War, 1961-1975, 'All gave some - Some gave all.' Placed by Rebecca Parke Chapter, NSDAR 2006."