Salute to Service
A tribute to Butler County residents who have fallen in our nation's wars came about when two Vietnam era soldiers reunited.
Dave Haunty grew up in Jefferson Township and graduated from Knoch High School in 1969.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps and found himself a long way from the farm.
“I was sent to Da Nang, South Vietnam, where I was attached to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division briefly, then reassigned to radio operator,” said Haunty, who now lives in Butler.
Haunty's path crossed with that of Todd Abbott. “He was a 'Philly' boy and an actual radio operator. He was able to teach me everything he knew and we became pretty close friends,” Haunty explained.
One fateful day the duo switched assignments and when a passing dump truck hit a land mine severely injuring Abbott, the pair lost touch.
“The last time I saw Abbott was in a hospital in Da Nang. That was until 2000 when I found a website set up by another 7th Engineer,” he said.
A Marine reunion was planned for his unit, and Dave and his wife arranged to go.
The organizer, Doug McMacken, and Haunty were both in Charlie Company and had briefly met.
McMacken also knew Abbott, who intended to attend the reunion that year in California.
“When we entered the hotel lobby in San Deigo, I saw a never-forgotten face. It was Abbott who now lives in North Carolina. We had a great time reminiscing about old times and getting caught up,” said Haunty.
They struck up a relationship, picking up where they left off, and now talk weekly and spend time at each other's homes. They continue to attend reunions together.“It was those reunions that inspired me to create the memorial,” said Haunty. “At our reunions, we hold a memorial breakfast where we read from a box of dog tags, the names of those from our unit killed in action and the date they were KIA,” he explained.“These were duplicate dog tags, dog tags without information like blood type and serial numbers. They just had name, rank and company and the KIA date,” said Haunty.Eventually the dog tags started to turn up missing, so Haunty designed a black walnut case to house them permanently.Then he came up with the idea of a “miniwall” of assembled information, including photographs and casualty reports.It was so well received that Haunty decided to make a tribute to those Butler County servicemen and women who have fallen in the nation's wars.“I started with a list of Vietnam KIAs provided by John Cyprian, the county VA administrator. I used full-page clippings from the Butler Eagle honoring these veterans,” he said. He began the first section of his tribute in 2006.Haunty then approached the Butler VFW to see if the group would display it. It was displayed and the response was positive.A Korean War veteran said to Haunty, “Why doesn't anyone ever do anything about the vets who died in Korea?” So Haunty added more information.Then World War II was added.“I was asked by Jack Tomko of Evans City if I could include his son Nick who was killed in Iraq in my tribute,” said Haunty.Veterans Day has proved to be a trying time for the elder Tomko. He said his son was killed on Nov. 9, 2003, in Iraq while serving with the Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom.“I'm going through a depression right now because of the anniversary,” Tomko said.“But I might try to see it on Monday,” he said, referring to the tribute which will be on display Monday, weather permitting, in Diamond Park during the Veterans Day parade through downtown Butler.
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom have found their way to the wall. The criteria usually limits the KIA to being a Butler County resident.The tribute has appeared at flag pole dedications, VFW and American Legions posts, parades, cemeteries, churches, the Butler County Farm Show and even at the Bruin Elementary School for Veterans Day in 2011.“Veterans who view the wall have mixed emotions,” said Haunty. “I am told by some that viewing this has given them closure and peace of mind.”“I think it is an outstanding way to keep alive the memory of our residents KIA during the various wars and conflicts,” said Cyprian.Haunty's tribute is more than 60 feet in length and is up to six feet high and can be displayed in sections.Haunty stores the tribute at his house when it is not on display.“Unfortunately the display is an ongoing project,” said Haunty, noting he's had to add to it often to include more local fallen servicemen and women.The tribute displays the names and information of more than 450 servicemen and women who were killed in action during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom.“It's just something that people really like. People like to see it,” said Haunty.
