Vietnam veteran honored on the occasion of his 58th death anniversary

PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) – August 23, 2024 marks the 58th anniversary of the death of Vietnam veteran RV Edwards.

Edwards graduated from Pineville High School in 1965 and joined the service, fighting in the Vietnam War.

Now the City of Pineville and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1131 are honoring Edwards' legacy of military service with a memorial service on the anniversary of his death.

The Edwards family, friends, Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree, Disabled American Veterans, members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1131, and Pastor Stewart Holloway were in attendance.

“We want to honor RV and express our appreciation to the family for their grief and suffering resulting from his loss,” said a member of Chapter 1131.

Mayor Dupree presented the Edwards family with a plaque commemorating RV Edwards' dedication and patriotism.

“Just one year later, he left us far too soon, like many other young men and women his age,” Dupree said. “We will never forget him.”

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1131 also donated a Bible to the Edwards family, presented by Pastor Holloway.

“There are probably not many greater things a mayor can do than honoring another hometown hero,” Dupree said. “But it was just as honorable to be able to organize a ceremony, to give them something to help carry the RV Edwards name forward.”

Dupree expressed hope that events like this can show future generations what freedom looks like.

“I think we sometimes forget that the freedoms we have come at a price, they're not free,” Dupree said. “I think it's important that we remember that. Celebrate the opportunities we have on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Those are opportunities that you can use to teach the next generation what it means to serve our country.”

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