Vietnam Vet Dedicates Memorial Day Speech to Fallen Hero

On April 2, 1972, Bill Hughes, who was a pararescueman in the Air Force and is now the vice commander of the , lost a dear friend, Al Avery, during a Vietnam rescue mission, called Bat 21 Bravo.

It was a mission in which Hughes said Avery gave his life so another could live. 

"This is what Memorial Day is about," said Hughes, who is giving a speech at Good Ground Cemetery in Hampton Bays as part of the  Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m.

"We must remember all the men and women who gave their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today," said Hughes.

Hughes said his speech will highlight just that in sharing Avery's story.

Avery, said Hughes, was just one of many who lost their lives during the Bat 21 Bravo mission, which sent the United States Air Force behind enemy lines to rescue Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton, whose aircraft was shot down. 

Hambleton, who was a lone survivor, was eventually rescued, said Hughes.

"He lived a long life, well into his nineties," said Hughes.

During the mission, however, Avery's Jolly Green Giant helicopter was shot down and he was killed along with his crew. And Avery's remains were never located, said Hughes, until the 40th anniversary of his death. 

"His daughter, who I met as a toddler, dedicated her life trying to find her daddy and bring him home," said Hughes, who still gets upset thinking about her.

"I was privileged to be there when they finally laid him to rest in Arlington among his brothers," said Hughes. "He died trying to save another man's life. He gave his life so another could live."

Memorial Day Ceremonies

The   will take place at 10 a.m. at the post's hall on Ponquogue Avenue. It will be followed by a parade down Main Street to Good Ground Cemetery, where a laying of the wreaths will take place.

The is also holding a ceremony on Memorial Day, starting at 11 a.m. at the Westhampton Cemetery.