KITTS HILL – Touching tributes highlighted Saturday’s unveiling of the Sergeant Danny C.

Monday, November 05, 2001

KITTS HILL – Touching tributes highlighted Saturday’s unveiling of the Sergeant Danny C. Hayes Memorial Highway marker, which now stands at the Ohio 141 and 217 intersection.

"Danny gave his life for his country, and we should never take our freedom for granted," said Dave Dunfee, teacher and coach of the late soldier’s 1961 Windsor High School class.

"We should remember this."

Before the speeches, the sign unveiling by Sgt. Hayes’ nieces and nephews and the color guard’s rifle salute, James H. Tagg of Port Orange, Fla., USAF retired and classmate, welcomed residents, veterans, local officials and other classmates to the morning ceremony.

A Class of 1961 committee sent a request to the Lawrence County Commission and the boards of trustees for Lawrence, Rome and Windsor townships to start the memorial project. Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Transportation approved.

The class wanted to remember their friend, Danny Hayes, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968 after heroically saving the lives of many in his company, Tagg said.

Dunfee, who served as guest speaker, called Saturday a special day because of that remembrance.

"I thought, ‘What am I going to say,’" he said, then added that he took his wife’s advice that Danny’s heroic act said everything, and he should just tell people what it meant.

It meant answering a country’s call, keeping freedom safe so that everyone has a chance to live life to the fullest, Dunfee would explain in his speech.

The teacher shared memories of Danny’s boyhood, days in 4-H with the Scottown Farmers, the time at the fair when they got Dunfee to wear a dress to win first prize, high school antics.

"There’s something about a hundred percent good ol’ country boy," Dunfee said. "That’s what a lot of us would like to be known as."

And, Danny also turned out to be a true hero – one who put others before himself, Dunfee added.

"We’re all aware of the situation we’re in today," he said.

There are other Dannys from the past, and there will be other who will answer a call to keep America the greatest nation on Earth, he said.

"As we travel on this highway that will be known as the Sergeant Danny C. Hayes Memorial Highway, let us be reminded of the sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy today."

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The ceremony’s program listed the distinction with which Sgt. Danny Hayes served his country, the citation to accompany the Silver Star:

"Sergeant Hayes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 September 1968, while serving as a team leader with Company D, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry, on a reconnaissance in force mission near Quan Sung Hieu in the Republic of Vietnam. Although he was seriously wounded during initial contact with an enemy force, Sergeant Hayes moved through the hostile fire to aid other casualties and assisted in their evacuation. Having assured the safe removal of the wounded, he courageously established covering fire while the rest of his platoon moved to a more advantageous position. Not until all of his men had reached safety did Sergeant Hayes seek cover. Maneuvering to reach a more secure position, he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Hayes’ extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army."

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Also, a "Sergeant Danny C. Hayes Memorial Fund" has been established at the National City Bank, Chesapeake Shopping Plaza, Chesapeake, OH 45619. Donations can also be sent to the National City Bank, 110 S. Fourth St., Ironton, OH 45638 or 701 S. High St., Coal Grove, OH 45638. Donations can also be sent to Evan Wall, 10353 State Route 217, Scottown, OH 45678.