Vietnam Veterans receive their recognition for service in the war

RITZVILLE – Vietnam Veteran John Marshall said he has spent the past 50 years trying to forget about the war, but for one night he pushed the ghosts aside to receive recognition for his time in the service for not only himself, but his late brother Steve, and his brother Brian, who lives in Seven Bays.

The three brothers served in three different branches of the military, but all three were crew chiefs in their respective units.

Marshall traveled to Richland with his wife, Janis, Dec. 14, 2019, to meet with Rep. Dan Newhouse for a special event recognizing Vietnam Veterans for their service to the United States. Veterans received a certificate of special congressional recognition, and a lapel pin.

Marshall said he wanted to receive the certificate for his brother Steve, who served in the Vietnam War with the Air Force, and passed away in an automobile accident in August of 2019. Steve served in the Air Force from 1969 to 1973, and was an F105 Crew Chief.

Marshall also picked up the certificate for his brother Brian, who served in the Vietnam War as a Marine. Brian served from 1965 to 1969, and was a CH-34/54 Crew Chief.

Marshall served with the Army from 1969 to 1971, and was a UH-1 HUEY Crew Chief.

He and his wife have lived in Ritzville since 1978, where they have owned and operated Landcraft Repair for the past 35 years. Marshall has also been serving as an Adams County Commissioner since 2013.