By John Howell
The James Gilliam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution marked the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War during its April meeting, honoring veterans of the Vietnam, Iraq and Korean wars and placing a wreath in memory of men who fell in the wars of the 20th and 21st Centuries.

The meeting was the first for State DAR Regent Billie Foutch Breedlove since serious heart problems sidelined her with hospitalization in Alabama in March.

If Breedlove is not fully recovered, it was hard to detect during the Wednesday luncheon at the Panola Country Club. She has regained her school teacher voice.  Hearing her orchestrate for a photo lineup the veterans of the Korean, Vietnam and Iraq wars, whom members had brought as guests, brought warm, “Miss-Billie-is back!” smiles to the faces of several members in the audience.

Gail Tomlinson presented an overview of the long, tortured history of the Vietnam War, beginning with its colonization by the French in the 18th Century.

Following the usual patriotic recitations, DAR members honored the special guests including Vietnam veterans Raymond Byrd, C. J. Dye, Maurice Keenum, Glen Morgan, Chester Melvin Ross III, Jack Sartain and Bob Wadsworth, Korean veterans Lester Dicken and Pat Lewis, Iraq veteran Kevin Hatton, and William “Billy” Smith, veteran of both Korea and Vietnam.

Breedlove also read the names of the 30 men who died in the Vietnam War who came from the six counties from which the James Gilliam DAR chapter draws its membership.

Following the meeting and lunch,  Breedlove, chapter Regent Mary Lou Mitchell and members Jennifer Pardoe, Louise Land and Sara Trotter placed a memorial wreath before the Batesville Exchange Club monument in Batesville’s downtown Square.