thedrifter
09-19-05, 05:41 AM
Brothers to the end
By JULIANNE TAYLOR
Tribune staff writer
Monday, September 19, 2005
When Mark Jackson rode up on his Harley Davidson at the 23rd annual Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion Sunday, everyone came to get a look. They didn't come to see the 2003 Heritage Softail Classic, they came to see what was painted on it.
Last winter, Jackson, of Coldwater, Ohio, had the motorcycle airbrushed with images from the Vietnam War. The cycle is dedicated to his brother, Larry Jackson, who lost his life on his 21st birthday, Sept. 11, 1969, in Vietnam.
The cycle also has the name of his brother and others who lost their lives in Vietnam, and an image of the crucified Christ.
"This is all for the glory of God," he said. "When people come look at my bike, if they haven't already, I ask that they turn to Christ. He is the ultimate high."
Jackson said he is two years and eight months younger than his brother.
"We grew up together, drank together, fought together, did everything together," he said. "After he was killed, I joined the Marines to get even. But, I never got to go to Vietnam. They wouldn't let me out of Okinawa, [Japan]. That was in 1971."
Although Jackson didn't fight in Vietnam, he said he supports veterans of Vietnam. He began coming to the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion five years ago.
In an effort to honor his brother and the unit he served, the U.S. Army 129th Assault Helicopter Company, Jackson started a Web site, www.129th.net, for his brother's unit.
"Late one night, in 1997 ... my brother, Larry, from beyond, cracked me upside the head and said, 'stop forgetting about me so much' ... and he also said he had some men that he knew, that were thinking and looking for others that they served with in the 129th," Jackson wrote under the Web site's purpose.
Through the Web site, Jackson said he has been able to meet and get to know people who knew his brother. One of those is a friend whom he rode with to the reunion from Ohio.
Another bike dedicated
Mike Howell of Auburndale, Fla., also lost a brother in Vietnam, but he also has other things in common with Jackson. He, too, has honored his brother by having his Honda Shadow Spirit motorcycle painted with images from Vietnam. The motorcycle also has his brother's name and dog tags, a POW flag, the symbol of a dead soldier -- an M-16 machine gun and a helmet, and the words, "Some gave all and all gave some."
His brother, Robert Lee Howell, died Feb. 10, 1969, in Vietnam when Howell was only 9 years old. His brother earned the Purple Heart and Silver Star during his service.
"When my brother got killed, I always said if I had a son someday, I would name him after my brother," Howell said. "My oldest son is named after him."
Howell, who never joined the military, said he always wanted to do something to keep his brother's memory alive.
"If it wasn't for him and others like him, we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today," he said. "We owe everything to them. It's all I could do to come out here and support our veterans."
Successful reunion
The Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion concluded Sunday with a worship service led by Chaplain Dennis Chapman and Pastor John Steer. The service concluded with the singing of "Amazing Grace," "God Bless the U.S.A." and "How Great Thou Art."
Dick Forrey, president of the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization, said the attendance at the 23rd annual reunion was overwhelming.
"I think this is one of the biggest reunions we've had," he said. "I'm not sure why we had so many, but a lot of people were out here for the first time this year."
He said the overflow area, donated by a neighbor to the Vietnam Veterans grounds, was full again this year.
Future plans
The HVVO is trying to purchase two more lots for the veterans grounds, he said.
"The land around us is up for auction, so we are going to bid on two lots," he said. "We hope our bid is the best and we get the land, but we can't be sure of anything."
Julianne Taylor may be reached at (765) 454-8570 or via e-mail at julianne.taylor@kokomotribune.com
Ellie
By JULIANNE TAYLOR
Tribune staff writer
Monday, September 19, 2005
When Mark Jackson rode up on his Harley Davidson at the 23rd annual Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion Sunday, everyone came to get a look. They didn't come to see the 2003 Heritage Softail Classic, they came to see what was painted on it.
Last winter, Jackson, of Coldwater, Ohio, had the motorcycle airbrushed with images from the Vietnam War. The cycle is dedicated to his brother, Larry Jackson, who lost his life on his 21st birthday, Sept. 11, 1969, in Vietnam.
The cycle also has the name of his brother and others who lost their lives in Vietnam, and an image of the crucified Christ.
"This is all for the glory of God," he said. "When people come look at my bike, if they haven't already, I ask that they turn to Christ. He is the ultimate high."
Jackson said he is two years and eight months younger than his brother.
"We grew up together, drank together, fought together, did everything together," he said. "After he was killed, I joined the Marines to get even. But, I never got to go to Vietnam. They wouldn't let me out of Okinawa, [Japan]. That was in 1971."
Although Jackson didn't fight in Vietnam, he said he supports veterans of Vietnam. He began coming to the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion five years ago.
In an effort to honor his brother and the unit he served, the U.S. Army 129th Assault Helicopter Company, Jackson started a Web site, www.129th.net, for his brother's unit.
"Late one night, in 1997 ... my brother, Larry, from beyond, cracked me upside the head and said, 'stop forgetting about me so much' ... and he also said he had some men that he knew, that were thinking and looking for others that they served with in the 129th," Jackson wrote under the Web site's purpose.
Through the Web site, Jackson said he has been able to meet and get to know people who knew his brother. One of those is a friend whom he rode with to the reunion from Ohio.
Another bike dedicated
Mike Howell of Auburndale, Fla., also lost a brother in Vietnam, but he also has other things in common with Jackson. He, too, has honored his brother by having his Honda Shadow Spirit motorcycle painted with images from Vietnam. The motorcycle also has his brother's name and dog tags, a POW flag, the symbol of a dead soldier -- an M-16 machine gun and a helmet, and the words, "Some gave all and all gave some."
His brother, Robert Lee Howell, died Feb. 10, 1969, in Vietnam when Howell was only 9 years old. His brother earned the Purple Heart and Silver Star during his service.
"When my brother got killed, I always said if I had a son someday, I would name him after my brother," Howell said. "My oldest son is named after him."
Howell, who never joined the military, said he always wanted to do something to keep his brother's memory alive.
"If it wasn't for him and others like him, we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today," he said. "We owe everything to them. It's all I could do to come out here and support our veterans."
Successful reunion
The Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion concluded Sunday with a worship service led by Chaplain Dennis Chapman and Pastor John Steer. The service concluded with the singing of "Amazing Grace," "God Bless the U.S.A." and "How Great Thou Art."
Dick Forrey, president of the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization, said the attendance at the 23rd annual reunion was overwhelming.
"I think this is one of the biggest reunions we've had," he said. "I'm not sure why we had so many, but a lot of people were out here for the first time this year."
He said the overflow area, donated by a neighbor to the Vietnam Veterans grounds, was full again this year.
Future plans
The HVVO is trying to purchase two more lots for the veterans grounds, he said.
"The land around us is up for auction, so we are going to bid on two lots," he said. "We hope our bid is the best and we get the land, but we can't be sure of anything."
Julianne Taylor may be reached at (765) 454-8570 or via e-mail at julianne.taylor@kokomotribune.com
Ellie