Soldiers, families honor the fallen in Scottsville

SCOTTSVILLE — More than 100 veterans and family members of military casualties gathered Sunday in Scottsville to remember those sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines who gave their lives in defense of the United States.
“We offer solemn tribute to all our comrades, wherever they may rest,” said Lewis. E. Farrish, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8169 in Scottsville. “… To you comrades who have departed, we offer our solemn salute.”

Farrish led the Memorial Day service at the old Scottsville School gymnasium. The crowd sang “God Bless America,” “The Star Spangled Banner” and listened as former servicemen recited a poem titled “I am a Veteran.” Scottsville resident Margaret Tooley recited Johnny Cash’s “That Ragged Old Flag.” And nearly two dozen officials each presented a red-white-and-blue wreath.
“On behalf of the town of Scottsville, I lay this wreath in memory of those who died in the protection of freedom around the world,” said Scottsville Mayor R. Stephen Phipps.
Shirley Roundtree of the Fluvanna County NAACP presented a wreath on behalf of her group. “We pay homage to all our veterans — all those who died, all those who were injured and all those who are still at war,” she said. “God bless them all.”
In the ceremony’s invocation, the Rev. Rudy Ramsey of Scottsville thanked all of the men and women who have served in the military, but particularly those who died in combat.

“They have paid the ultimate price for the freedom of this land,” Ramsey said. “We don’t want to take it for granted.”
Veteran Carlton Crenshaw of Palmyra told the crowd a couple of stories from his time as a Marine serving in Vietnam during 1967 and ’68.
Crenshaw told the tale of how he was one of 6,000 troops surrounded by some 35,000 Northern Vietnamese Army members at the Battle of Khe Sanh.
And he spoke about the sacrifices in Vietnam made by his friend Russ Armstrong. Armstrong’s platoon walked into heavy artillery and mortar fire. The company commander, the radio operator and a third of the platoon were killed in moments. Fifteen out of 50 Marines were quickly dead, another 15 or 20 were wounded.
“The one thing we don’t do is leave Marines,” Crenshaw said. “Russ did what he had to do, which was basically circle the wagons — with no cover.”

Armstrong pulled his wounded comrades into the center of the area and helped fend off the surrounding attackers. Armstrong took serious wounds in both legs from mortar fire, but continued to coordinate the defense throughout the night until they were rescued in the morning.
“He refused to be evacuated until every single one of his Marines was accounted for,” Crenshaw said. “About 40 percent were dead.”
Armstrong received the Navy Cross for his actions that day. Armstrong recuperated after 18 months and went on to college and eventually married. He died in 2007 when a truck crashed into his motorcycle.