This weekend people all across the country have thoughts of war heroes who died in the military services for the United States. Residents in Harrison county are remembering a local Vietnam War Hero at the Bridgeport Cemetery.
The memorial service was held for Ronald McCormick, who was killed in action in February of 1970. The service was organized by pilots and crew members that served and flew with McCormick in the 336th Assault Helicopter Company.
“All veterans should be honored, but especially those that have paid the ultimate price. We knew Ron, it was actually kind of ironic. The aircraft that is down in Fairmont, happened to be one of our aircraft, and that aircraft replaced, Ron’s aircraft that went down. When we found out that Ron was buried as close as he was to that aircraft, it was just faith, if you will, that we did that,” said John Leandro, Platoon Leader in Vietnam.
The 336th AHC was escorted by the VFW Post 573 Clarksburg to Bridgeport Cemetery. The escort included the Clarksburg and Bridgeport Police Departments, followed by the Patriot Guard Riders and the Hogs and Heroes Foundation motorcycle Associations.
“It’s just a magnificent community. I mean it really is. I would like to thank them and all of the people of this community to realize what they have here and as a veteran, especially a veteran of Vietnam War, It’s important to me that they remembered us,” said Leandro.
A 21 gun salute was given in honor of McCormick. Several paid their respects at the Cemetery and family members recalled memories.
“We would always write a lot of letters back and forth, we were really close. I remember the day that the army men came and first told us he was missing in action. It was late at night and then the next morning they came back and told us that he was deceased,” said Pamela Jeffers, Sister of McCormick.
25 Members if McCormick’s family were present for the remembrance.
