City to honor one of its fallen soldiers
The City of Butler will honor one of its fallen soldiers Saturday.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, the shelter at Institute Hill Playground will be dedicated to Butler native Victor Thomas Rikal Sr.
Rikal was one of 74 Americans killed aboard the USS Frank E. Evans in the South China Sea in the early morning hours of June 3, 1969. The destroyer collided with an Australian aircraft carrier, the HMAS Melbourne, and was cut in half.
Rikal was on watch at the combat information center at the time of the collision.
“This is to kind of remind people of what sacrifices have been made by families in our area,” said Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson. “This is a big deal, it’s really important. People should never forget.”
Donaldson will issue a proclamation that Saturday is to be Victor Thomas Rikal Day in Butler.
