Pittsfield man to be inducted into program for Vietnam veterans who died after returning home

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Christina Butler is thrilled the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is recognizing her father, Gary Butler, next month. 

She says she’s equally excited others like her father also are being remembered.

“We’re recognizing all people who serve our country,” she said. “It’s not just about my dad. It’s really important to continue to recognize all of the sacrifices our veterans make, whether they were serving when they died, if they were active military or whether it’s when they get home and it’s 50 years later.

“This a wonderful way to honor him and his memory.”

Gary Butler is one of 17 Illinois veterans, and 567 veterans altogether, who the fund will induct into the fund’s “In Memory” program. Thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered because of Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses because of their service in the Vietnam War.

The VVMF believes it should honor and remember all those who served in Vietnam. The “In Memory” program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them memorialized forever. ​​​​​​​

VVMF’s Facebook page will show this year’s “In Memory” ceremony live at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 17.

Gary Butler died on his 75^th birthday on May 26, 2022 of prostate cancer. Christina went through the online application process. She said it was important to note in the application that her father died from an Agent Orange-related disease.

“It had to be listed on their death certificate, especially since they do not know the full extent of what Agent Orange is going to have on those veterans’ descendants,” Christina said.

Christina said she learned about the VVMF through various Facebook sharings by caregivers of other veterans. She was her father’s caregiver for the last two years of his life.

“After I filled out the application, it wasn’t very long before we got our letter back, saying he’s been accepted,” Christina said.

Gary’s biography on the VVMF honor roll shows he was born May 26, 1947, in a two-room cabin. He started driving a truck at 15 before volunteering for service in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee at age 19, hauling “anything from toilet paper to bombs.” Returning home, he continued trucking, becoming an owner/operator in the 1970s. He retired working for Equipment Transfer. 

Christina said her father didn’t talk much about his experience in Vietnam.

“A lot of veteran families didn’t talk about it, and we didn’t mention it,” she said, “One of his Navy buddies who died several years ago talked about it with him, and he was telling us a story about how they jumped out of a truck. They were hiding behind the wheels of the truck while they were being shot out. Dad had never told that story. We had no idea. 

“He just didn’t talk about it. I think he was just thankful to have made it home. I don’t think he really felt there was anything to talk about.”

Christina and her oldest sister, Angela Hull, from Worden, Ill., will make the trip to Washington, D.C., for the ceremony. Her middle sister, Crystal Lewis, lives in Mount Sterling, and the baby of the family, brother Jerrame, lives in Quincy.

The June 17 ceremony will be on the east knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where each honoree’s name will be read aloud. 

“For many Vietnam veterans, coming home from Vietnam was just the beginning of a whole new fight,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Many never fully recovered, either physically or emotionally, from their experiences. As these veterans pass, it is our duty and solemn promise to welcome them home to the place that our nation has set aside to remember our Vietnam veterans.” 

The plaque honoring these veterans was dedicated as a part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in 2004. It reads:

“In memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.”

The “In Memory” program was created in 1993. It has since honored more than 6,000 veterans. For more information on the program or to apply to have your loved one honored in 2024, visit www.vvmf.org/inmemory.