Nearly fifty years after sacrificing their lives in the Vietnam War, six Tecumseh High School (THS) graduates have been memorialized at their alma mater, a result of a unique Eagle Scout project designed and completed by 17-year-old THS student and Eagle Scout candidate, John Burchett, a member of New Carlisle’s Boy Scout Troop 27 (BSA Tecumseh Council).

Burchett’s project included raising money to help purchase black granite memorial stones to create a lasting memorial for Tecumseh alumni who were killed in action. Until recently, all of Tecumseh’s fallen soldiers had died in Vietnam.

Memorials for Paul Raymond Harrison (’64), Jerry Wayne Hauf (’65), Larry E. Lee (’65), Carl David Nall (’66), Steven Douglas Townsley (’66), and William (Bill) Martin Wellman Jr. (’67) are being installed in front of THS at the flagpole dedicated to THS graduate and AFJROTC member, Staff Sgt. Wes Williams (Army), who died in Afghanistan in 2012.

Family, friends, and AFJROTC members spoke words of remembrance before unveiling each solder’s stone in front of the large audience that gathered for the memorial’s dedication ceremony held Sept. 11 at Tecumseh High School.

AFJROTC advisor, Major Doug Couch, welcomed guests and audience members to the ceremony.

“...These are the type of real men and women who proudly stood up rather than remain seated when the national anthem was played during football games. (They) believe in their country and all it represents. Our Vietnam veterans ask for nothing in return, except for the respect of their countrymen...”

Boy Scout Angelo Miller offered the invocation. Scouts Joe Kidd, Alex Miller, Angelo Miller, and Bryce Wallace posted the Colors.

Burchett recognized both the Veterans who were gathered and the family members of the soldiers being memorialized. He also expressed his happiness that the stones would stand for years to come, helping people to “honor in their minds” the “boys who sacrificed (so much).”

AFJROTC cadets Jennifer Wright and Rachel Shepherd honored U.S. Army PVT. Nall (KIA 3/28/69, De Nang) and U.S. Army Cpl. Townsley (KIA 6/1/69, S. Vietnam) respectively. Wright cited Nall’s long list of honors and achievements, and how Nall was the forty-first Clark County resident to lose his life in Vietnam. Cadet Shepherd related how a wounded Cpl. Townsley helped get his fellow soldiers to safety. Then, under heavy fire, went back and rendered the unit’s gun useless before succumbing to his wounds.

Shepherd closed by urging those gathered to “Please remember our fallen soldiers...Please remember our heroes.”

U.S. Army Spec. 4 Jerry Hauf (KIA 10/20/66, Vietnam) was remembered by his nephew, Chris Hauf, who says his grandmother always said, “Jerry had a kind heart, he was tough, and would do anything for anybody.” Hauf says his uncle wrote many letters home and, although he was sure his uncle was scared, he knows Jerry wouldn’t have said anything about it in his letters, “That’s how the Hauf men are,” says Chris, “My dad was that way, my uncle Larry is that way, and my grandfather was that way as well.”

U.S. Army Cpl. Larry Lee’s (KIA 2/4/67, Vietnam) sister, Donna, read a poem her father wrote after her brother was killed. An excerpt reads, “Our hearts are very sad tonight, our son has just come home. He made it in a silver plane, so still and all alone...May God bless all the mothers, who have sons who were taken away. May He give them strength and courage, each and every day.”

Larry’s brother, Mike Lee, was a child when his brother was killed. He remembered how he and Larry “broke stuff” when their parents were gone, and tearfully wondered what his big brother would be like today.

Vietnam veteran, David Yates, served with Larry. He still gets choked up when he remembers the day his friend died 49 years ago, “The doctors wouldn’t let me in to see him, so I went back to my unit. When I went back (to the hospital) to see him, he had died...it seems like it all just happened yesterday.”

U.S. Marine Bill Wellman Jr. (KIA 6/4/69, Quang Tri Province) was honored by his nieces, Dawn and Kara Wellman, who never knew him, but remembered how a photo of their uncle “hung prominently” in their grandparents’ home. They also thanked the families of those who serve today, pointing out that “freedom is never free.” Wellman’s great-nephew, Christopher Shamy, is a member of the Tecumseh AFJROTC unit.

The widow of U.S. Spec. 4 Paul Harrison (KIA 6/11/68, Kontum Province), Carol Benoy, shared how her faith help her deal with the loss of her young husband. The audience also received a glimpse of Harrison’s personality when Benoy shared one of the many letters her husband had written to his mother while he was overseas. In it, Harrison wrote a humorous poem about the many miles and places he had worn his old footwear which was about to be replaced with brand-new boots. Harrison titled the letter, “Ode to My Jungle Boots, Six Months’ Old.”

Benoy closed by saying, “May we honor (these soldiers’) sacrifice and their memory...the gift of life is too precious to waste.”

The ceremony concluded with the playing of “Taps” by Tecumseh band members, Macalah Schuyler, Matt Lindamood, and Wesley Smith.

Burchett’s project received much praise. In addition to the soldiers’ families commenting on how they appreciated the memorials. Veterans shook Burchett’s hand, thanking him for remembering their fellow soldiers. During his Eagle Scout project review, Burchett says he was honored when a member of the review board said the project was the “most ambitious” he had seen in over 40 years.

World War II veteran, Dewey Brosey (95), echoed the sentiments of many who said the memorial was long overdue. Brosey also commented, “I was glad when I heard someone took the time to think about these guys, and that he did something to help people remember everything they gave up for the country...I’m proud of (Burchett) for that.”

Vietnam veteran and former Tecumseh FFA instructor, David Finfrock, served as a mentor to Burchett throughout the project. The total cost of the project was over $6,000, so Finfrock split that cost with Burchett. Finfrock is proud of what Burchett has accomplished, “John’s a good kid and he worked really hard on this project. These guys gave everything to their country, and this (memorial) is long overdue. Thanks to John, it has finally happened.”

As for himself, Burchett says he learned a lot from the project, including leadership, time-management, public speaking, and fund-raising.

Before the ceremony started, Burchett had a little over $800 left to raise to reach his final project goal of $3,000. Burchett says he is happy and proud of how the project has turned out, and that he believes he accomplished his goal of creating an Eagle Scout project that “is different and will last a really long time.”

Burchett offers a special “thank you” to Finfrock and to THS Principal, Ivan Gehret, who put him in contact with Finfrock. Burchett also thanks his parents, Denny and Marilyn Burchett, for their support and for surprising him with a wreath for the memorial ceremony.

Burchett is grateful for the support he received that made the project a reality. “I want to thank everyone so, so much for everything. I’m excited my project has been successful and that the sacrifice these (soldiers) made will not be forgotten. That’s what’s really important.”

The following donated money and/or services to Burchett’s project:

Bill and Eudora Pontious, Mike & Teresa Phillipps Burchett, Donald and Michelle Irey Morales, Kelly Tharp, Stephanie Lentz, Eleanor Shehee, Tony Gerardi, Brian Macy, George Ball, Richard and Joyce Spangler, Don Rodman, Paula Fugate, Vanna Clark, Deborah Burchett, Megan Stanforth, Eric & Tina Weston, Larry D. Hamilton, Anonymous Donor from the Class of ’78, New Carlisle Rotary Club, Ann Abell – DAR (Springfield), Dr. Stephan Hamilton D.D.S., VFW Post 9966 (New Carlisle), American Legion Post 286 (New Carlisle), Security National Bank, Mel-O-Dee Restaurant, Party Sound Productions, THS Staff, and THS Alumni.

Those wishing to help Burchett close the gap in his fund-raising goal can contact him at 937.823.7451 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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