Jacksonville and Onslow County proclaim April 25, 2026 Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day; Rolling Thunder reads 38 POW/MIA names

Jacksonville and Onslow County honored Vietnam veterans at a recognition ceremony that included proclamations by the City of Jacksonville and the Onslow County Board of Commissioners, remarks by Major General Farrell J. Sullivan and a Rolling Thunder reading of 38 North Carolina service members still listed as POW/MIA.

Major General Farrell J. Sullivan, Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division, delivered opening remarks and recognized local officials and veterans groups. He said the county’s designation of the day was "necessary and fitting" and invoked President Calvin Coolidge’s warning that "the nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten," adding, "we do not forget." Sullivan also thanked the Onslow County Marine Corps League Detachment 262 and Rolling Thunder Chapter NC5 for hosting the ceremony.

A representative read a proclamation presented on behalf of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry declaring April 25, 2026, as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day in the City of Jacksonville and reaffirming the city’s appreciation for those who served from 1955 to 1975. Onslow County Commissioner Paul Buchanan read a county proclamation echoing the city’s message and noting that more than 58,000 Americans died in the conflict.

Kenneth Conner Hughes, a Vietnam veteran who said he served as a first lieutenant with the 160th Assault Helicopter Company, spoke about helicopters used during the war and the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Hughes said roughly a dozen helicopter models served in Vietnam, totaling approximately 12,000 helicopters, of which about 7,000 were Hueys; he said more than 3,000 Hueys were lost or damaged beyond repair.

Byron Dent, president of Rolling Thunder Incorporated Chapter NC5, presented the POW/MIA missing man table, explained its symbolism and led the reading of 38 names of North Carolina service members still recorded as POW/MIA. Dent said the ceremony honors those missing and their families and stated, "if only one American remains alive in enemy hands from any war, we owe it to him our best effort to bring him home."

The event included music and applause, a lighting of a candle in remembrance, and multiple formal proclamations by local officials. The ceremony concluded with remarks welcoming veterans home and additional applause.

The organizers and speakers present at the ceremony included Major General Farrell J. Sullivan (Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division), Onslow County Commissioner Paul Buchanan, Byron Dent (President, Rolling Thunder Inc., Chapter NC5) and Kenneth Conner Hughes (Vietnam veteran).