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They ‘give some’ every year
Local 2069 veterans hold 10th annual Ride for Freedom
by Mark Petersen
Local 2069 Vets Committee chairman

The Local 2069 Veterans Committee Ride for Freedom Memorial Ceremony kicked off in May with a ceremony on the union hall front lawn. Local 2069 represents approximately 1,500 workers at the Volvo plant in Dublin, Va.

Local radio D.J. Scott Stevens played songs with a patriotic theme, including Billy Ray Cyrus' “All gave some; some gave all.”

Emotions ran high as guest speakers took the podium. Dennis Setliff, Volvo’s order engineering manager and our “go to guy” with the Ride for Freedom trucks, explained what the messages on the side of the trucks meant to him personally. A Vietnam veteran, Setliff is a huge supporter of the veterans’ committee. His dad, Lee, is a WW II veteran.

Ret. Col. Dallas Cox, a professional soldier, Vietnam veteran and town council member, gave chilling and graphic details on what American Prisoners of War went through. That made it real tough for Kimberly Johnson to follow with her song, “Scars,” that she wrote after visiting The Wall.

I could hardly hold it together as I watched most everyone in the crowd wiping tears from their eyes. I then introduced our guest of honor, Julius Wollen Long Jr. an American POW of the Vietnam War. It was the hardest public speaking I had ever done. The sad, gut wrenching and crippling accounts of the battle that led up to Junior's capture grabbed everyone in the heart and throat.

The Local 2069 Veterans Committee presented Long with a plaque for his heroism and valor. Humbly accepting, he thanked everyone in attendance, saying, “If you love your freedom, thank a vet.”

John Kallam, of Pulaski, played “America the Beautiful” and “Taps” on bugle. Sonny Bishop of Christiansburg and the Virginia Highlanders played a melody and “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.
Also recognized was John Lawson, a retired union member who still carries a piece of German 88 in his leg from World War II. Also honored was PFC. Anthony Smith Jr., son of union member Kathy Smith (Dept. 456), who had returned home on Mothers Day from Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 82nd Airborne.

Thanks go to the following for putting on this program: Christian Motorcycle Association, Mountain Curve Riders, Blue Knights of NRV, Dennis Raykes, DJR Printing and Gary Martin, owner of Martin's Backhoe Service.

Each year, Local 2069 honors all of America's veterans.