Valor to honor area vets

Cary Kelly served in Vietnam, traveling over on Navy ships from Camp Pendleton. His first operation was up north by the DMZ. There were two companies of Marines, the I Company and the K Company with Kelly in the second company.

The first company was ambushed by several hundred North Vietnamese soldiers; one of its platoon suffered a 50% casualty rate. Kelly's company was trapped several hundred yards away.

Ray Calhoun was a young Marine in South Vietnam in April 1967. He and his platoon were charged with leading an assault on Hill 881 South.

During the night leading up to the assault, the North Vietnamese soldiers shouted into the night, telling the Marines they would die in the morning. The taunts would prove prophetic, according to a 2009 San Diego Union-Tribune story. By the time the battle ended, three-fourths of the soldiers were either wounded or had been killed.

Charles Schobe enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1967, undergoing boot camp training at San Diego before going to Camp Pendleton for special training. He shipped out to Vietnam in July 1968, was assigned to the 1st Squad, Charlie Company, and was moved almost immediately to Hill 10. Within a few days, his unit was shipped to Hill 210 where they were dropped into the thick of fighting.

They are just a few of the dozens of men and women whose stories have been shared in "Valor," a special publication that captures the stories and photographs of those who have served with connections to Bonner and Boundary counties.

To honor our veterans, we are asking for the public's help in honoring these men and women by sharing their photos, stories, and service. If known, please share any awards and recognitions they earned, including the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, and Congressional Medal of Honor, to name a few.

We want to share these stories and honor our servicemen and women before the tales are lost.

In addition, we are gathering information on local service and military groups, veterans services, and resources available to veterans and their families.

Our goal is to pay special tribute to our servicemen and servicewomen, paying special honor to those who have earned this country's highest honors.

The publication will include photos of our veterans. All are invited to send a service photo of those who served in their family, as well as information on the branch of service, years of service, and location of service. Stories and tales of their time in service are also welcomed and encouraged.

This keepsake publication will be published in the Nov. 7 editions of the Daily Bee and Bonners Ferry Herald.

Please send your photos and information by Oct. 24 to news@bonnercountydailybee.com.