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SMS students Talk With Crawford County Commisioners about Proposed Monument
'''Steelville Middle School current events students visited the Crawford County Commission August 28 to seek information on the project they’ve undertaken to install a Vietnam War Era Monument on the courthouse lawn.

Paige Brown began the students’ presentation. “Today we are here to ask permission to put a Vietnam War Era Monument out here by the Korean War monument stone,” she said. She then passed out a definition of the “Vietnam” era from Section 505 of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 which states, “The term ‘Vietnam Era’ means the following: (A) The period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 7, 1975, in the case of a veteran who served in the Republic of Vietnam during that period; (B) The period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on May 7, 1975, in all other cases.” Commissioners were asked if they agreed with this definition and all three did.

Students also asked whether the commission wanted to have specific designations on the monument for how veterans were involved in the Vietnam War and Associate Commissioner John Hewkin replied, “I think it would be great to do some kind of designation—like KIA or POW—to have different ways of designating things that happened at that time.” Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders recommended that the students look into what others have done and perhaps use the same sort of symbols. “Maybe you can research that a little bit and get back to us,” he said. Current events teacher Jennifer Whitson reported that the students were aware of the controversy surrounding the monument and asked them to tell commissioners why they wanted to pursue the project. “It’s a great cause,” said one. “ It’s important so people know who died before us in the Vietnam War,” said another. Perhaps most poignant was Brown’s response.

“These people did something heroic and they need to be honored,” she said. Students in current events will be working on the project along with some Steelville High School students who have volunteered to help. They will also seek assistance from neighboring     Whitson reported the youth have begun research for the project and student Garrett Becker told commissioners about the website he’d discovered with information about Crawford County Vietnam War veterans. “You could see all the badges they won, years they served, how they died,” he said. Sanders asked the class how many of the students personally knew someone who had served in Vietnam and about half of them raised their hands. The monument will be located on the front lawn of the courthouse, but specific placement will not be determined until there are more details on the actual size and shape of the piece. “You sure have our support and we are proud that you’re doing this,” Hewkin told the group. Martin agreed, “I want you to know, I’m totally in support of you. This is awesome that you guys and girls have taken this on. I thank Mrs. Whitson, too, she’s a wonderful teacher.” Sanders added, “We’re proud of you. Feel free to come talk to us at any point.”'''