Eight Alabama men will soon be inducted into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's In Memory program, including deceased veteran Harold G. Hill of Russellville.
Hill, known to most folks as Glen, served in the United States Army. He joined Recon Team Illinois in August 1971 and later held the Assistant Team Leader position where he remained until February 1972 when the team was deactivated.
Hill died June 7, 2011, from complications from Agent Orange.
According to Hill's family, he never spoke of his Black Ops missions until shortly before his death. Before he was assigned to Recon, he was a gunner in a helicopter that rescued American soldiers from fire fights. Hill was a Green Beret and actually trained as a radio operator, according to Hill's sister, Betty H. Sparks.
The In Memory program honors Vietnam veterans whose lives were cut short as a result of their service after returning home from Vietnam.
On June 15, 2019, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will host more than 2,000 attendees at the annual In Memory ceremony on the east knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., where each 2019 honoree's name will be read aloud. 534 service members will be honored this year.
“For many Vietnam veterans, coming home from Vietnam was just the beginning of a whole new fight. Many never fully recovered, either physically or emotionally, from their experiences,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
“As these veterans pass, it is our duty and solemn promise to welcome them home to the place that our nation has set aside to remember our Vietnam veterans,” he added.
The plaque that honors Hill and his fellow veterans was dedicated as part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in 2004. It reads: In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.
Sparks said the program is doing amazing things to help families cope who suffered through the years along with the veterans.
“There are quite a few families in Russellville who would benefit from this program. It lets us know we are not alone. Others have and are going through the same turmoil,” Sparks said.
For more information on the organization, visit www.vvmf.org and click on the In Memory program icon.
