GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Preble High School is honoring their graduates who served in the Vietnam War and never returned.
“It will be very cool,” says John Anderegg.
Anderegg lost his best friend in the war and started to get emotional at the thought of a plaque honoring him.
His friend was one of seven total Preble High School graduates who died serving in the Vietnam War.
“We used to do a lot of things together, he was quite a joker,” says Jerry VandeHei.
Jerry’s brother, Joe, is also among those men.
“Preble High School will forever remember, with great pride, their willingness to serve and the ultimate sacrifice that they made,” says Dan Retzki Preble’s activities director.
In Preble’s library, a granite plaque carved with the names of those men will now hang as a memorial to their sacrifice for all to see.
“Get a little emotional about that, but all students will see that plaque and know the sacrifice of our classmates did that,” says VandeHei.
In fact, it was during the class of 67’s 50-year high school reunion that some of the former students noticed different plaques and trophies throughout the halls and thought they’d like to honor some of their classmates.
“The thing that was lacking was really recognition for all the great men and women that served our nation from Preble High School,” explains VandeHei.
During the Vietnam War, twenty-percent of all Preble students joined the military and many of those veterans standing in the library as the plaque is presented.
Engraved on the plaque, particularly meaningful to them, “all gave some, some gave all.”
“Veterans come from all walks of life but all share the same qualities- courage pride determination selflessness dedication to duty and integrity we thank god for each and every one of these men,” says Jim Coisman another veteran in attendance.
