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I just opened your site to visit the home of a friend who just passed away. I was trying to understand more about him and his dedication to country and service. I think I can see, just by your motto, some of what my friend shared with you. May god bless and keep you as you carry on. A copy of my friends obit is attatched if you care to read of one of YOUR heroes. It may be out of protocol but, Judge for yourself.
Jack Wayne Hutchins
GASTONIA -- Mr. Hutchins, 65, of 3303 Linwood Road, Gastonia, NC, died Saturday, June 10, 2006 at his residence. He was a native of Winston Salem, and is the son of Weldon I. Hutchins and Margaret Cofer Draggoo Hutchins.
A Celebration of Life Service with Masonic Rites and Military Honor will be held at 2:00P.M., Monday, June 12, 2006, McLean Funeral Directors - Gastonia.
Visitation will be 6:30 to 8:30, Sunday, June 11, 2006, McLean Funeral Directors - Gastonia. A disabled Veteran, Mr. Hutchins served seven tours of duty in Vietnam, three in the Marine Corps and four in the U.S. Army. A graduate of the Marine Security Guard School, Mr. Hutchins was assigned as a Marine Security Guard at the American Embassy in Saigon, Vietnam, where he served as security guard for Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Ambassador Maxwell D. Taylor and Ambassador Knowtaling. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, he enlisted in the U. S. Army where he served with the Mechanized Unit (Hell on Wheels). He later volunteered for the famed 'Big Red One', 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. Later he was transferred to a security unit in Saigon, and still later re-enlisted and was transferred to PACEX Depot in Saigon. Upon returning to the USA, Mr. Hutchins was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia where he established a realistic Vietnamese Village to train troops being deployed to Vietnam. Following that assignment, he was transferred to Korea to provide security for ammunition depots and fuel supplies. He then returned to Vietnam with the 506th Infantry (Air Mobile) 101st Airborne Division. While serving in the jungles on patrol, he was severely wounded near the Laotian border. He lost his right arm, and experienced severe injuries to his left arm, chest, feet and legs. While in Vietnam he helped set plants in rice paddies, assisted the people in digging irrigation ditches, and established and helped fund an orphanage for Vietnamese Children. He is the recipient of two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with five stars and the Expert Marksmanship Medal. After being medically discharged from the Marines, Mr. Hutchins worked for IES Corp., Life of Virginia, and then spent 17 years with the US Postal Service.
He was a member of Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he was Chairman of the Memorial Garden and Co-Chairman, Men of the Church. He was also a member of Lowell Lodge #590, AFAM, the Charlotte Scottish Rite Bodies, Oasis Shriners and Gaston County Shrine Club. Also, he was a member of the VFW, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.
Survivors include his Wife of 32 yrs., Peggy Wilson Hutchins Daughter and Son-In-Law, Robin and Kevin Sands, of Charlotte; Grandchildren, Catherine Erin Sands, Elizabeth Anne Sands and Aidan Jack Sands; Aunts, Juanita Campbell, Eleanor and and husband, Jesse Powell all of Winston Salem.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Mrs. Carrie Cofer of Winton-Salem.
Pastor John Stanley will officiate and honorary pallbearers will be U.S. Postal Service, Gaston County Shrine Club and Nobelettes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Robinson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3106 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28056 Condolences may be sent online at www.McLeanFuneral.com
Arrangements by McLean Funeral Directors.
Published in the Charlotte Observer on 6/11/2006.
Remembered by his friend Floyd Ballard roberthawes@bellsouth.net
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