By Kay S. Pedrotti The Herald Gazette and the Pike County Journal Reporter are joining a nationwide effort by community newspapers and others to find photos of all troops whose names are enshrined on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. ’The Faces Never Forgotten’ project is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. The National Newspaper Association and Georgia Press Association have highlighted the project in communications to all member papers, citing the ‘deep community roots (and) unique position’ of newspapers to help find and submit photos of each person killed in that war. Barnesville has three persons whose names are on The Wall; others in the area include one from Yatesville and two from Pike County. The community is asked to help find the families of these fallen heroes: Arthur Blake Crews, Air Force SGT, born Feb. 16, 1945, killed Sept. 24, 1968 in Quang Tri province; Eddie Morris Mann, Army PFC, born Dec. 10, 1947, killed May 9, 1967, Tay Ninh; Iseiah Releford Jr., Marine Corps LCPL, born Sept. 1, 1947, killed March 13, 1969, Quang Tri; James Drewery Tyus Jr., Marine Corps PFC, born Sept. 13, 1947, killed Feb. 23, 1969, Quang Nam; James Thomas Harris, Marine Corps LCPL, born Dec. 18, 1947, killed Dec. 20, 1966, Quang Tri; Lonnie Lee Silver, Marine Corps LCPL, born Jan. 1, 1947, killed Nov. 26, 1967, Quang Nam. All were under 22 years of age at the time of their deaths. Staff members of the two newspapers will be able to meet with families, obtain photographs and make sure the pictures are submitted appropriately. Current numbers show there are 58,000+ plus names on the wall and so far more than 22,000 photos are not available. Georgia’s total names on The Wall number 1,583 and as of June 12 photos were needed for 889 of them. The GPA June Georgia Press Bulletin features quotes from publishers working with NNA, including Andrew Johnson, publisher of the Dodge County (Wisc.) Pionier (cq). Johnson says, ‘I think we (newspapers) have the unique ability to go into every small and rural town as well as the bigger ones as their number-one sources of news. Broadcasters don’t have the grassroots readership of hometown newspapers. Nobody else can do this job like we can.’ If you are a member of one of our local heroes’ families, or know of them and could put us in contact, please call The Herald Gazette at 770-358-6397 or the Pike Journal Reporter at 770-567-3446. Help honor those who gave their all for our freedom as you celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence.
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