This Memorial Day,聽聽is honoring 最新杏吧原创ans who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Korean War.聽
On Nov. 11, Veterans Day,聽聽will present 鈥淰ietnam: At War and At Home.鈥 The temporary exhibit will reveal the challenges of the tumultuous 20 years between 1955 and 1975 that defined our community, the nation and much of the world. Visitors will hear from those who experienced the era and learn of 最新杏吧原创ans like Ronald Henry Bozikis, whose story offers insights into the dignity of service, the impacts of loss and the legacies of remembrance.
Early in 1966, Bozikis was a successful student and star athlete at Cleveland High School in south 最新杏吧原创. On the football field, the defensive fullback tackled, blocked kicks, intercepted passes and scored touchdowns. His talents were recognized with a football scholarship to Kansas State University.
As he began his college career, the war in Vietnam intensified and demand for new recruits surged. An increasing number of soldiers were being killed, and a persistent, but relatively small anti-war movement was expanding its influence. Bozikis postponed his education and promising football opportunities and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968. He served in the Green Berets with the 5th Special Forces Group and was sent to Southeast Asia.
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ronald H. Bozikis, who served in the Special Forces during the Vietnam War. He was killed in action on Oct. 25, 1969 in Laos.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, 1969, 22-year-old Staff Sergeant Ronald H. Bozikis was killed while leading a charge up a hill. He had served 13 months 鈥渋n country鈥 and was due to return home 10 days later.
Survived by his mother, two sisters, a brother and his father, the family tried to cope with the news that Bozikis had been killed in action in Vietnam. He was honored posthumously for his courageous service with 14 medals and decorations.
In the months that followed, the loss of his son and lingering questions about where and how he died troubled his father, Denne. He wrote an eight-page letter to President Richard Nixon. He complained that his son had made the ultimate sacrifice, but few seemed to care. He wondered about the erosion of American values and encouraged Nixon to not 鈥渂ack down鈥 in Vietnam.
Initially, the Army said Bozikis was killed on a mission in Vietnam, but some who served with him said the incident occurred in Cambodia. It was not public knowledge at the time that American troops were fighting in Cambodia and Laos. Eventually, in November 1972, the 最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch revealed for the first time that American forces, including Bozikis鈥 unit, had been fighting and dying in Laos.
A few months after Bozikis鈥 death, his stepmother, Jeanne Bozikis, wrote a song about his service and sacrifice in Vietnam. In October 1971, she released a 45-rpm recording of 鈥淎 Fearless Soldier鈥 as a tribute to her stepson and other young men who gave their lives in service. Proceeds for the sale of the song went to a scholarship fund for Cleveland High School football seniors.
Denne wrote Nixon a second time in October 1971 and included a copy of the song written and sung by his wife. Denne received a reply from Nixon on Nov. 18, 1971. 鈥淩onald has been decorated for his bravery, but I am sure he could ask for no greater tribute than the living memorial you have established in his honor.鈥
In July 1972, Denne was still seeking ways to preserve his son鈥檚 legacy and the sacrifices of others and wrote to 最新杏吧原创 Mayor Alfonso J. Cervantes suggesting, as others had, that the city鈥檚 Soldiers Memorial include memorials to those who perished in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Meetings were held, discussions were had, plans were debated and the war raged on. Denne passed away in December 1972. Finally, in April 1978, the city鈥檚 Board of Aldermen approved funds for additional tablets to be added to the Court of Honor listing names of those who had died in the two wars.
On Veterans Day, the Bozikises鈥 story and many others will be聽shared through the temporary exhibit: 鈥淰ietnam: At War and At Home鈥 at聽. We hope you鈥檒l come to explore, learn, remember and honor.
