Nine-year-old Hunter Riedlinger visited the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall at Lakeside with his grandparents and brothers on June 1. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

LAKESIDE – In honor of America’s 250th birthday, Lakeside Chautauqua hosted the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall on May 28 to June 1 and offered free passes into the community to military personnel. Among those who visited was highly decorated Vietnam War Veteran Richard Gundlach of Huron, his wife Sharon Gundlach, and his cousin Judy Hudson of Sandusky.

“He likes to come see the Traveling Wall when it’s around to honor the memory of his friends he lost,” Sharon said.

Richard and his friends James Baumer and Terrence Mesenburg, both of Huron, joined the war right after high school. Richard served as a forward observer in the 3rd Marine Division. All three fought in the Tet Offensive.

Only Richard survived the war.

Wayne and Beth Gullett brought their grandsons to the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Lakeside on June 3 to help them better understand the sacrifices that bought their freedoms. With the Gulletts are their grandsons, from left, Eli Riedlinger, 8; Hunter Riedlinger, 9; and Bryson Riedlinger, 6. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

He survived but was severely injured. Richard was shot on Oct. 9, 1969, and his brave service was honored with two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star.

“My husband is very decorated,” Sharon said.

Yet, Richard wasn’t thinking about his own service at the Wall. He was remembering his friends and their sacrifices. Richard left the wall clutching etchings of their names, tangible reminders of the cost of freedom.

Further down the wall, Wayne and Beth Gullett of Catawba Island were trying to help their young grandsons understand the power of those sacrifices. With them at the Wall were their grandsons Hunter Riedlinger, 9; Eli Riedlinger, 8; and Bryson Riedlinger, 6, from Upper Sandusky.

“We wanted to bring the boys and explain that many people had to die for our freedoms so we could have the life we have,” Beth said.

Richard Gundlach, in front, is a decorated Vietnam War Veteran who visited the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Lakeside on June 3 with his wife, Sharon Gundlach, left, and his cousin, Judy Hudson, right. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

As they scanned the Wall, they looked for familiar names.

“We wanted to see if anyone from our family died in Vietnam,” Wayne said. “I found three people with our name on the wall. I’ll have to do some research to see if we’re related.”

Whether they are related or not, the boys understood the connection between those who died and the life their family enjoys today.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Hunter said.

For more information on Lakeside and its upcoming America 250 events, visit www.lakesideohio.com.