thedrifter
09-18-05, 07:12 AM
Pearl River honors fallen soldier
By STEVE LIEBERMAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: September 18, 2005)
Pearl River
Heinz Ahlmeyer was remembered last night in the community where he grew up, 38 years after he was killed in the jungles of Vietnam.
As large American and POW/MIA flags flapped in the night breeze, more than 350 people honored the Marine Corps second lieutenant on the community's POW/MIA Recognition Day.
The ceremony took place on the South Central Avenue fields where Ahlmeyer played football and soccer for Pearl River High School.
Ahlmeyer's sister, Irene Healea of Watertown, Tenn., stood in the rain, her eyes tearing. Last night marked her return to her home community after 15 years.
Her brother's remains were identified in January. He was buried May 10 in Arlington National Cemetery, 38 years to the day he died on his first day in Vietnam.
"It's just a tooth in the casket in Arlington," Healea said of her brother's remains.
She then pointed to the ground and said, "His spirit will always be here. This will always be our hometown."
During the ceremony, Healea received eight medals for her brother for combat service in Vietnam from the Marines Corps League.
But a special gift came from Russ Williams, a childhood friend of Heinz Ahlmeyer who also served in Vietnam.
Williams gave her his POW/MIA bracelet bearing Ahlmeyer's name. He wore it for decades before the remains were found.
Williams is a member of the Hudson Valley chapter of Nam Knights of America, based in Rockland. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle group of veterans and police officers organized last night's ceremony.
"There is now closure for the family, for me and for all of Heinz's friends in Pearl River," Williams said. "Now Heinz can rest in peace. And Lord knows, he earned it."
The Nam Knights raises money for veterans and helps keep alive the issue of military personnel who remain missing in action, said Charles Maushardt, president of the Hudson Valley chapter. The group has more than 500 members in 23 chapters.
"We want all our troops accounted for," Maushardt told the crowd to applause. "We have to keep the issue alive and going."
As of January, 1,842 American military personnel remained listed as missing in action in southeast Asia, according to the U.S Department of Defense. Of those, 1,403 remained in Vietnam, a war that divided the nation until all U.S. troops were withdrawn in 1975.
While Rockland residents have died in wars, including several this year in Iraq, Ahlmeyer had been Rockland's only military personnel still listed as missing in action. The remains of Stony Point resident Bernie Conklin were identified in 1988.
A 1961 Pearl River High School graduate, Ahlmeyer joined the Marines after graduating college. On May 10, 1967, he led a seven-man reconnaissance patrol on a jungle hilltop in an area thick with enemy gunfire. They were shot, as were those in a rescue helicopter. When another chopper later returned, only three of the wounded were rescued.
Ahlmeyer remained listed as missing in action until January when bits of bone and teeth were positively identified. Fred Hillman, vice president of the Nam Knights, said the local Vietnamese, being very spiritual people, buried the bodies of Ahlmeyer and the others.
Vietnam veteran Jim Florio of Fairlawn, N.J., was one of several hundred veterans from several wars at the ceremony. The Clarkstown Police Honor Guard carried the flags with veteran groups, while bagpipers played military songs.
Florio, a member of the Rockland Vietnam Veterans, said he was honoring his "band of brothers" who died and served in combat.
"What it means to me is giving the respect and dignity for the brothers who served and died," Florio said. "Every time we see a brother, we say, 'Hello brother, welcome home.'
"We're here to welcome Heinz Ahlmeyer home," Florio said.
Ellie
Rest In Peace
By STEVE LIEBERMAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original Publication: September 18, 2005)
Pearl River
Heinz Ahlmeyer was remembered last night in the community where he grew up, 38 years after he was killed in the jungles of Vietnam.
As large American and POW/MIA flags flapped in the night breeze, more than 350 people honored the Marine Corps second lieutenant on the community's POW/MIA Recognition Day.
The ceremony took place on the South Central Avenue fields where Ahlmeyer played football and soccer for Pearl River High School.
Ahlmeyer's sister, Irene Healea of Watertown, Tenn., stood in the rain, her eyes tearing. Last night marked her return to her home community after 15 years.
Her brother's remains were identified in January. He was buried May 10 in Arlington National Cemetery, 38 years to the day he died on his first day in Vietnam.
"It's just a tooth in the casket in Arlington," Healea said of her brother's remains.
She then pointed to the ground and said, "His spirit will always be here. This will always be our hometown."
During the ceremony, Healea received eight medals for her brother for combat service in Vietnam from the Marines Corps League.
But a special gift came from Russ Williams, a childhood friend of Heinz Ahlmeyer who also served in Vietnam.
Williams gave her his POW/MIA bracelet bearing Ahlmeyer's name. He wore it for decades before the remains were found.
Williams is a member of the Hudson Valley chapter of Nam Knights of America, based in Rockland. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle group of veterans and police officers organized last night's ceremony.
"There is now closure for the family, for me and for all of Heinz's friends in Pearl River," Williams said. "Now Heinz can rest in peace. And Lord knows, he earned it."
The Nam Knights raises money for veterans and helps keep alive the issue of military personnel who remain missing in action, said Charles Maushardt, president of the Hudson Valley chapter. The group has more than 500 members in 23 chapters.
"We want all our troops accounted for," Maushardt told the crowd to applause. "We have to keep the issue alive and going."
As of January, 1,842 American military personnel remained listed as missing in action in southeast Asia, according to the U.S Department of Defense. Of those, 1,403 remained in Vietnam, a war that divided the nation until all U.S. troops were withdrawn in 1975.
While Rockland residents have died in wars, including several this year in Iraq, Ahlmeyer had been Rockland's only military personnel still listed as missing in action. The remains of Stony Point resident Bernie Conklin were identified in 1988.
A 1961 Pearl River High School graduate, Ahlmeyer joined the Marines after graduating college. On May 10, 1967, he led a seven-man reconnaissance patrol on a jungle hilltop in an area thick with enemy gunfire. They were shot, as were those in a rescue helicopter. When another chopper later returned, only three of the wounded were rescued.
Ahlmeyer remained listed as missing in action until January when bits of bone and teeth were positively identified. Fred Hillman, vice president of the Nam Knights, said the local Vietnamese, being very spiritual people, buried the bodies of Ahlmeyer and the others.
Vietnam veteran Jim Florio of Fairlawn, N.J., was one of several hundred veterans from several wars at the ceremony. The Clarkstown Police Honor Guard carried the flags with veteran groups, while bagpipers played military songs.
Florio, a member of the Rockland Vietnam Veterans, said he was honoring his "band of brothers" who died and served in combat.
"What it means to me is giving the respect and dignity for the brothers who served and died," Florio said. "Every time we see a brother, we say, 'Hello brother, welcome home.'
"We're here to welcome Heinz Ahlmeyer home," Florio said.
Ellie
Rest In Peace