Veteran Denny Bensur (center) is assisted on stage at Girard High
School this past December by veteran Steve Dreistadt (right) and High
School Principal Eric Louis after dedicating a plaque to honor the 27
members of the Class of 1967 who served during the Vietnam War.
his missions included sweeping
roadways for mines, building bridges,
demolishing enemy sites, preparing field
defenses, and facilitating the movement
of troops.
During the 37 years Bensur has
been an active member of the Girard
American Legion, he served as
commander from 2004 until 2015
where his major project was overseeing
the building of the new facility with
Rich Manno, Angela Bensen, and Dick
Pitonyak. He proudly attended its grand
opening on Nov. 11, 2011.
Three times he has been the recipient
of the Commander of the Year Award.
He has been involved in the Legion
Honor Guard, which attends 60 to 65
funerals a year in Pennsylvania to honor
veterans with a 21-gun salute and the
playing of “Taps.”
Classmate Methel McDonald enlisted
in the Army right after high school
graduation because four of her seven brothers were already serving
in the Army, with two of them in Vietnam. She began her two-year
tour Jan. 1, 1968, with basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama.
Stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., she worked with
General Williams, the deputy chief of staff for personnel. “The
personnel data work I did required top-secret clearance,” McDonald
says. “I worked with officials who were in charge of deployment and
troop movement.”
She credits the Army for instilling in her the discipline and
persistence that have followed her in career choices after discharge.
“I was hired because I was a veteran by Litton Industries in
California to handle military guidance systems of aircraft and also
with subcontracting work with Boeing.”
All of the veterans answered the call of their country to serve
during a difficult period in our history and stand up against
hostile forces that threatened the freedom of a people far away
from our shores. These men and women of the Class of 1967 are
now a permanent memory in the community where they grew up
and found the courage and strength to fight for the democratic
principles that guided their mission. n
“I am honored
to represent my
brothers and
sisters from my
class who served
in the military
during the Vietnam
War. I am proud
to dedicate this
plaque to Girard
High School in
memory of those
who served.”
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