1. Welcome

Students in the Voices of the Sixties course at Lebanon High School recently embarked on an incredibly powerful project researching the stories of eight Lebanon men who were killed in the Vietnam War. As they scoured through local newspapers and class yearbooks for information on these men, they became increasingly invested in their work. As the project progressed, students were challenged to decide how to tell the stories they uncovered; each small group of students carefully planned and storyboarded their final product, a digital story about their soldier.

Students planned the details of the public showing of their films, inviting family and friends, community members, veterans, and the people involved with the stories they created. Their hard work caught the attention of local newspapers who published feature stories about the project a few days before the public presentation. On May 30 in the high school auditorium, students presented their movies to the community. A packed auditorium awaited the students as they shared their movies and the letters they wrote to their fallen soldiers.

We would like to share those stories with you through this blog. Please feel free to navigate around, watch and listen to the stories of these men as shared through the eyes of our students.

2. Memorial Day Casket Flags

Every year on Memorial Day at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lebanon the American Legion flies the casket flags of soldiers from Lebanon who gave their lives for our country. Each flag has a bronze name plate on the flag pole with the soldiers' full name printed on it. Currently Douglas Ulm is the only soldier out of the eight that has a flag that flies. Mostly due to weather damage, the flags had to be properly burned. As a result of our program, two other flags have been purchased. Jim Salisburys and Lonnie Moores. We really want to get the rest of the soldiers flag! They cost 60 dollars in all for the flag and the bronze name plate.

Lonnie Dean Moore

Lonnie Dean Moore

"God is my point man, no need to worry about me..."

Age: 19

D.O.B.: November 14, 1949

D.O.D.: June 3, 1969

Branch of Military: Army

Rank: Corporal

Served In: Quang Ngai, Vietnam

Dearest Lonnie,

In the beginning this was just another project. The project we knew would take lots of time, effort, long nights and maybe a little stress. We picked your name; one that sounded good but didn't realize it would be a name that would be engraved in our hearts forever. Through our eyes the journey started. We began digging through yearbooks; making phone calls to people we didn't know, searching the Internet and much more in hope to get to know you. Finally we got in contact with your little brother Pete and set a time to meet him and your older brother George for our interview. Not knowing whom you were at all, a glimpse of your loving heart shown through in the first words your brothers said to us, "Thank you."

Without hesitation we were asked if we would like to have our interview at George's house. Upon arrival we were nervous but very excited. From then on our project got a whole new meaning. They welcomed us into their home with open arms. But even more, they opened their hearts and let us into their lives, a part that is hard to go back to. Your family served us dinner, looked through albums with us and even showed us around the farm including your memorial and the road they named for you "Lonnie’s Lane". We can’t explain how much your family has made an impact on our lives. They have us more than we could ever ask for. With the love, compassion, appreciation, smiles, tears, happiness, laughter and the help they gave us, we saw more than people but family. They showed us more than just a name, but a man. One who loved his family, loved God, was very talented and enjoyed life. Through your family we saw you.

We wish now since getting to know you through your family that we could meet you in person. But even though we can't we can tell you that your family and you have impacted our lives and people we can call family. We want you to know you are more than a fallen soldier. You're a hero and a man who has touched each of your lives greatly. You have shown us about life and the kind of people we want to become. Through our eyes we see you. With your happy go lucky, loving child like heart, and your big ol' toothy grin. Thank you Lonnie Dean Moore for becoming part of our lives and serving us in Vietnam. We will never forget you and we will save a piece of our hearts for you forever.

WITH LOVE,

Jonnie Atchley, Morgan Brantner and Amanda Roadhouse.

Randall Paul Manela

Name: Randall Paul Manela

DOB: May 14, 1951

DOD: November 18, 1969

Rank: Corporal

Branch of service: Marine

Unit: 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st. Marine division

Medals: Purple Heart.

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Menela was born May 14, 1951 in Lebanon, OR. and moved with his family to Eugene in 1965. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Manela and had one brother named Micheal. Randall graduated from Sheldon High School in 1969 and entered the Marine Corps in July of that year. At 19 years old he died in South Vietnam as the result of a helicopter crash about 30 miles south of Da Nang. 18 Nov. (1969) with the 14 other men aboard the Marine Corps CH46 when it crashed into the side of a mountain in a heavy fog. It raised to 70 the number of Emerald Empire servicemen to die in the Vietnam War.

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Actual Report Of Death

In mid-November 1970 a recon team from the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion got in trouble while on patrol: their Corpsman broke his leg, necessitating that the team be extracted. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 was tasked with extracting them, a task that turned out to be impossible for two days.
On the third day, in CH-46D (BuNo 154837), the HMM-263 crew succeeded in picking up the eight-man team - but all fifteen men aboard the CH-46 died when it collided with a mountainside after the extraction. Three of the crewmen were from HMM-263, two from H&MS-16; the Commanding Officer of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion was aboard, as well as the extracted team.

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Interview With Tom Jordan

What relation do you have Randall? (Since you're a friend how long did you know him?) I was Randy's immediate supervisor. He was a Lance Corporal and I was a Corporal. I knew him about seven months and in a small unit like Recon, you are all friends.

Did he volunteer or was he drafted? He volunteered for the USMC and also Recon because it took some specialized training.

How did Randall feel about leaving to go to war? I don't know how he felt when he left, but being in a combat situation did not bother him. He was very good at what he did, walking point for my team.

Did he have any personal relationships when he was deployed? I don't remember if he had a girlfried back home or not.

Why did he choose the marines as opposed to other branches? The Marines were the best.

How did he feel about the war? We were there to win and we alll thought we would. It was our duty to be there.
How well did he adapt to the military life: physical regimen, barracks, food, social life? He was a good Marine with good friends in the Corps. I didn't know him stateside, but living in a hooch with him was not a problem at all.

Did he have any time for any off-dutry recreation where he was stationed? We were always on alert in Viet Nam. On occassion we did attend a USO show, usually on a Friday night. Other than that, there was no recreation there.

What is one of your favorite memories of Randall? He volunteered to be a point man as soon as he arrived in Rvn. Even on his first patrol, he was allowed to do it. He was very Gung Ho.

When was the last time you saw Randall? September 1970

What would you say to Randall now if you could? I'm sorry brother, that you didn't make it back. We were duped into thinking they would let us win the war.

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Dear Randall Manela,

We may have accidentally passed you by, but you were not forgotten. You were remembered by those who loved you the most who will never let your memory die. We’re sorry that we did not have enough time to get to know you as well as we did Robert but from what we did find out about you we could tell you were a very amazing friend and were love deeply by everyone who knew you. You were so special and you meant so much to your friend SGT. James Drummond that he named his son after you so that your memory will live on in him, a truly fitting monument to the great man that you were. What you and all the other soldiers did was incredible and we thank you for your sacrifice.

Yours truly,

Sydney and Kayla

Arden Keith Hassenger

D*O*B
5/15/1936

Rank
Ssgt. Arden Hassenger

He was a loving and devoted
father, brother, husband and
friend.

Date of loss:
12/24/1965

Arden Hassenger was born in 1936 in Lebanon Oregon, he attended Lebanon High School. Soon after he graduated he enlisted into the air force to serve for his country. On December 24, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson announced a week long bombing halt on North Vietnam. The same day, an AC47D known as "Spooky"gunship was shot down during an armed reconnaissance flight just south of Saravane Province, Laos. Planes in the area of the loss heard mayday signals, but could not contact with the crew. The Spooky lost in Laos on December 24, 1965 was flown by Col. Derrel B.Jeffords and Capt. Dennis L. Eilers.

The crew members aboard the aircraft was Maj.Joseph Christiano, MSgt. Larry C. Thornton, TSgt. W. Kevin Colwell, and SSgt. Arden K. Hassenger. All these soldiers are still missing and waiting to be brought home.

Dear Arden,

What started out as a project that I just wanted to complete and get turned in turned into a journey that has been a life changing experience that has not only touch my heart but everyone’s heart. It has been a honor to get to know you and your family, in a way I never thought possible. I have learned so much about you and I have gained so much knowledge and respect for your service to our country. I learned all about you, your sister Marchetta and your brother playing in the snow, long trips to school and your love for sports. I’m sure your grandkids and great grandkids that Keith was telling me about would have loved to played games with you and get to know your great loving personality. You are loved by many and you have left a impression in all of our hearts and all though you are lost you will never be forgotten.
Love,
Ashley