Honoring Jefferson County’s veterans

“If you’re a veteran, would you stand?” asked John Quintrell, a Vietnam veteran who delivered the keynote speech at the Nov. 7 Jefferson High School Veterans Day Ceremony. A large applause followed, honoring several in the front who adhered to his request.   “You know what these people did? They did what no one else wanted to.”

Quintrell, who saw combat in Vietnam as a member of the Wolfhounds, talked to the students, faculty and his fellow vets at the JHS gymnasium about how he lost 45 of his “battle buddies” during his tumultuous year he had in the jungles.

“They gave their lives to preserve our freedom,” Quintrell said. “They were good men, they were good soldiers…all of them left families behind that were affected in a horrific way.”