photo by: Eric Ayres

Pfc. Frank McLaughlin’s sister, Joyce (McLaughlin) Knouse, left, now of Bradenton, Florida, and her daughter Kathy Ramp, now of Hampton, Illinois, receive an American flag from Dave Schoenian, president of the Moundsville Honor Guard, on Friday at Garden Park in Warwood during a military banner dedication to honor McLaughlin, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

WHEELING — Pfc. Russell Frank McLaughlin answered the call of duty to his country in 1967, and just months later paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

Nearly 58 years later, members of his family returned to the Warwood community they once called home to salute McLaughlin on Monday during a military banner dedication in his honor.

A ceremony took place Monday morning at Garden Park, where a new military banner was put in place above W.Va. 2.

Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said the last few ceremonies that have taken place as part of the military banner program have been particularly moving, not only because they have saluted patriots who were killed in action but also because families have attended to share memories of their loved ones.

“That makes it even more special,” Herron said. “It’s an honor to be here today with the family members to honor Mr. McLaughlin and his sacrifice during the Vietnam War.”

McLaughlin, who preferred to be called Frank, had been a student at Warwood High School. He attended West Liberty State College for one year and had worked for his father at his gas station in Short Creek before being drafted into the U.S. Army and sent off to fight in Vietnam.

“I just want to thank everyone for coming today,” said Joyce Knouse, McLaughlin’s sister. “I know it’s been a long time since my brother’s funeral was here right across the street at the Methodist church. Our family has really suffered, because there’s never a day that he’s not missed or not thought of. He was just a wonderful, wonderful young man.”

McLaughlin’s service to his country, much like his life, was tragically cut short. Only six months had passed from the time he was drafted to the time he was killed in action, serving as a door gunner on a helicopter that was shot down. There were no survivors among the eight soldiers on board. At age 20, he was among the youngest of the other young men who died in the crash.

“He was drafted in May and came home after basic, and we were able to come,” said Knouse, who later shared pictures of her younger brother’s visit home to Warwood after basic training. McLaughlin was shown smiling in his military uniform, holding Knouse’s daughter, Kathy, and posing for photos with them and their parents, who lived on 19th Street.

“We had such a good time,” said Knouse, who traveled from her home in Bradenton, Florida, to take part in Monday’s ceremony. “He just loved his niece. She was the first niece and grandbaby in the family. Kathy was only 18 months old at the time. It really was a special time together. And now this is very special. He would be very proud but very humbled to be recognized today.”

That niece, Kathy Ramp, also attended the ceremony, visiting from her home in Hampton, Illinois, in the westernmost part of the state. Ramp noted that she was too young to remember her interactions with her uncle, but his legacy has continued to leave a lasting impact on her life.

“Uncle Frank” had purchased savings bonds for her, which ended up helping to pay for college expenses when she attended the University of Illinois. As a sophomore there in 1986, the traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall came to campus. The name of Russell F. McLaughlin is located on Panel 29E, Line 97.

“That was the first time that I had really paid attention to the dates,” Ramp said. “Until then, I really didn’t know how young Frank was when he was killed. He was only 20 — the very same age that I was at that time. It deeply affected me to realize how young everyone was.”

Ramp said thanks to the Wall of Faces website, those heroes on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall each have a page where people — including soldiers who served with them — can leave comments, pictures and share memories, as well. Some even witnessed the helicopter crash that claimed McLaughlin’s life and the lives of the others on board on Nov. 14, 1967, a day when 15 of 20 U.S. military helicopters were reportedly shot down.

McLaughlin’s remains were recovered, and he is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling. Ramp said the family is somewhat comforted to know that her uncle’s death, while tragic, most likely came quickly as a result of the crash. They are also comforted by the fact that they know what happened and that he was able to have a proper burial. Family members of other soldiers are not so fortunate, Ramp said, noting that many soldiers lost in Vietnam are listed as missing in action.

“Many families are left not knowing what happened,” Ramp said, noting that her heart goes out to them.

Wheeling VFW Vice Commander Chuck Ryan, also a Vietnam veteran, recited the many medals, awards and badges earned by McLaughlin during his service. They included the Purple Heart, Air Medal with silver and broad oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Army Aviation Badge.

“When Pfc. McLaughlin was killed, I was there in Vietnam,” Ryan noted. “I wasn’t with him, but I was in country at that time. I’m deeply honored to be here to honor a fellow veteran.”

Ryan said he has visited that “black granite wall in Washington, D.C.” many times.

“When you walk down that path to that wall, it’s a very humbling experience,” he said. “I was there four times before I could walk the length of that wall. I can put a face to a lot of those names on that wall, and that means a lot to me. We owe it to them to never forget.”

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder said that each year, the banners erected as part of the Military Banner Program will be taken down right after Veterans Day and stored. Refurbishing will take place over the winter, and they will be put back in place by Memorial day so they can fly for many years to come, he said.

Officials thanked the city’s Operations Department for putting the flags in place in neighborhoods throughout town. The Moundsville Honor Guard once again participated in the ceremony, conducting a three-volley gun salute and presenting a folded flag to the family in McLaughlin’s honor. Students in fifth to eighth grades from nearby Corpus Christi School led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance during the ceremony, and Pastor Deborah Dague of Elm Grove United Methodist Church offered an opening prayer.

Monday’s ceremony took place in front of the Warwood Richland District Honor Roll war memorial in Garden Park. John Larch, coordinator of the Military Banner Program, read the inscription on the memorial that he noted was quite fitting for the occasion.

“‘In honor of the men and women that served in the armed services of our country, especially those who made the supreme sacrifice. Dedicated July 4, 1955,'” Larch said. “Seventy years ago, a group of people obviously got together and decided that we as a community will never forget the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers. We’re here today because 58 years ago, a young man from Warwood – right here in this community – made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country.”