A long-deserved tribute

By Joe Parmon/News Editor
7/15/2009

 Photo Submitted/ Wentworth Military Academy graduate Dale Buis was recognized as one of the first two casualties of the Vietnam War during a ceremony last Wednesday at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Shown above speaking at the podium is Maj. Sam Ratcliffe, a Wentworth graduate and Vietnam veteran. Holding the Wentworth flag, from left, are Mark Mullenioux, WMA Class of 1970; Cadet Capt. Joel Fowler; Bob Matkin, WMA Class of 1969; and Dennis Large, WMA Class of 1967. Mullenioux, Matkin and Large are all Vietnam era veterans.  
 
Maj. Sam Ratcliffe said he was so nervous, he can’t recall exactly what he said.

Ratcliffe, a Vietnam War veteran and Wentworth Military Academy graduate, was referring to a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday to honor his fellow WMA alumnus Maj. Dale Buis.

Buis was one of two men recognized as the first casualties of the Vietnam War during a 50th anniversary commemorative ceremony and wreath laying at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Ratcliffe was asked to speak before the 200 or so people gathered.

“I was deeply moved and honored to have the opportunity to participate on behalf of Wentworth and memorialize one of our graduates,” said Ratcliffe, a member of the WMA class of 1965.



Full story is in the July 15 issue of The Lexington News.

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