Today our walk was dedicated in honor of:
TODAY’S WALK — HONORING ARMY CPL FRANK LOUIS ASHER
Today, our walk was dedicated in honor of Army CPL Frank Louis Asher, age 20, of Hamilton, Ohio.
KIA — July 21, 1970
CPL Asher served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He entered military service on January 19, 1970, and made the ultimate sacrifice just six months later. He was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Frank was one of four soldiers from D Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry who lost their lives on July 21, 1970, during the intense fighting around Hill 805 near Firebase Ripcord in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam. The fighting around Ripcord would become one of the most intense battles involving the 101st Airborne during the Vietnam War.
CPL Asher is buried at Hickory Flat Cemetery in Overpeck, Ohio, and his name is forever remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Panel 8W, Line 37.
Today, we walked 5.07 miles in his honor.
Our walk took us by Holiday Hills Lake, where we began our journey. We then made a stop at the local fire department before continuing on to Veterans Memorial Park. There, we took time to read the names of some of our fallen brothers from the memorial wall and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many.
We also stopped at a local fast-food restaurant to get some water and spend a little time talking with some fellow veterans before heading back toward home.
Along the way, we received 262 honks from people passing by, along with countless waves and salutes. Every one of them means something. Every honk, every wave, and every salute is a reminder that people still care and that these heroes have not been forgotten.
I also want to give a special THANK YOU to SGT Ryan Isom for joining me today and helping honor this fallen hero. Having another veteran beside us made today’s walk even more meaningful.
At just 20 years old, Frank Louis Asher gave everything he had for our country. He left behind a life that was just beginning, but he also left behind a legacy that deserves to be remembered.
Today, we walked with him.
We remembered him.
We honored him.
And we will continue to tell his story.
Army CPL Frank Louis Asher — YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
Honor. Respect. Remember.
5.07 Miles | 262 Honks
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