ASHLAND — An event later this month will honor war veterans in Ashland County with a dinner and talk by a combat soldier, former U.S. Attorney and author.
The Ashland Vietnam Era Reunion dinner is slated for March 30, 2024 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Ashland Eagles, 400 Eastlake Drive.
“There are plenty more tickets,” said Greg Gorrell, a co-organizer for the event.
Tickets cost $10. They can be purchased at the DeSanto & Kellogg Law Office at 432 Center Street in Ashland or by calling 419-289-1454.
This year’s speaker
Patrick McLaughlin, originally from Cleveland Heights, will serve as the event’s main speaker.
In 1967, McLaughlin fought in Vietnam as part of the Dogface Battalion of the Big Red One. Following the Army, he finished a law degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
He spent the next 10 years working out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland, the last four of which having been appointed as the top attorney in that office by President Ronald Reagan.
He has since been inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame and the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. In June 2023, he self-published his debut novel, “Cheerful Obedience,” a story that follows a character’s service in Vietnam.
The March 30 event will be the fifth of its kind hosted by a group of local Vietnam veterans comprised of Gorrell, Bob DeSanto, Carl Reichert, Sheriff E. Wayne Risner and Jack Cadley.
The group is associated with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, a movement to recognize Vietnam War-era veterans backed by the federal government.
The day prior will mark National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day first created in 2017 under the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act.
The event’s agenda
The event starts with around 30 minutes of socializing before moving into dinner. Sheriff Risner, who served 22 years in the U.S. Army, said he’s “in charge of jokes.”
“We also always recognize the services that are there,” Risner said. “We always take time to vocally announce the guys who died from Ashland County in Vietnam.” There are 16 individuals.
Risner said the group also recognize Purple Heart recipients.
McLaughlin will then speak and be available to sign copies of books for those interested.
Gorrell said the significance of the dinner is the community afforded to men and women who share a common experience. But it’s also a chance for family members to understand those experiences.
“Being in a group like this, of veterans and veteran spouses and speakers, to have a better understanding as to what the veterans mean and are to this country,” he said.