With honor: Group rededicates memorial
Charlotte Burrous, Canon City Daily Record, 20 September 08

FLORENCE - As the wind whipped the flags around and cars raced by on U.S. 50, members of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing gathered Friday to rededicate its panel at the Col. Leo Sidney Boston War Memorial Park.

During the keynote speaker's remarks, Brig. Gen. James Boddie said when the bus rolled in from Denver, he saw the same F-4 jet he had flown in Vietnam with the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing squadron.

Activated in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis, the airmen were ready to strike when needed, he said.

As "the conflict in Southeast Asia escalated throughout 1965, the wing supported operations by rotating squadrons quarterly to Naha Air Base in Japan," Boddie said.

When the Vietnam War started, the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing was stationed at an airfield at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base.

Over the years, thousands of airmen and officers operated the aircraft and support operations in a variety of jobs ranging from maintaining equipment and facilities to treating patients in the 12th hospital.

"During its operations, the wing suffered significant losses," Boddie said. "Prior to arrival at Cam Ranh Bay, the wing lost three aircraft and five crew members. During subsequent operations in Vietnam, the wing suffered (the loss of) more than 100 personnel."

In closing, he quoted Brig. Gen. Peter Sutton, who spoke at the first dedication in 2001.

"The 12th Tactical Fighter Wing has a long and distinguished record, and history and selfless commitment in defending our great nation," Boddie said.

Col. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, who currently is the vice commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing, also spoke about the dedication being like a family reunion.

"We are proud to be with you, especially today," she said.

After 12th Tactical Fighter Wing Association vice president Ron Matsuda read the names of airmen who gave their lives while serving in the group, American Legion Department of Colorado Past Commander Tim Grabin played "Taps," followed by parachutists of High Sky Adventures Parachute Club, jumping on the road near the airport.

The 12th TFW History Project, Inc., began in 1996 after several men spent years searching for an F-4 Phantom fighter jet as the center of a memorial for the unit.

One day while Arvada resident Gene Rust drove past the Fremont County Airport , he saw the F-4 jet on display and contacted former county commissioners Jim Schauer and Keith McNew and other community members, who agreed to give the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing a panel on the wall.

It was also a tribute to late Canon City resident Ron Packard, who died in Vietnam while serving with the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing.

Since the first dedication on Sept. 16, 2001, members of the group have gathered to rededicate the memorial annually.