Honor our veterans today

On Memorial Day I would like to bring to your attention the following. In May 1967 The Gazette ran an article about the Prairie football field being named in John Wall’s honor. In his Red Peppers column in May 1967, Gus Schrader wrote, “John W. Wall field at Prairie may mean something personal to only a few scattered people 10, 20 or 50 years from now, but we think it will stand as a memorial to the sacrifices a lot of American families made in Vietnam.” I'm one of those few scattered people who had the honor to attend Prairie with John Wall, as well as serving in the Navy during Vietnam.

Memorial Day is for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. It's time to remember that the price of freedom is paid for by the lives of those who defend it. Honor our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who have sacrificed their lives giving the last full measure to secure our freedom.

Ted Hidinger

Mission Viejo, CA