A week ago, on Saturday, June 10, the Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution hosted the ceremony for the memorial highway dedication in the honor of First Lieutenant Gerald Greendyke at the VFW Post 7262.
Gerald “Gerry” Greendyke was an outstanding athlete at Greenville High School in Greenville, Ohio, excelling and lettering in football, basketball and track for the class of 1960. He joined the Army in 1962. After his discharge from the Army, he considered college again, but the Army made him an offer to return to service as an officer. He attended Officer Candidate School (OGS) and became an Artillery Forward Observer in advance of the heavy machinery. Gerry was deployed to Vietnam in August of 1967 and was killed six months later on February 3, 1968 with a rank of First Lieutenant. He was awarded posthumously the bronze star medal with the “v” device on March 26, 1968. He was also awarded posthumously the Silver Star medal on March 8, 1968.
Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR, on behalf of the Greendyke family, submitted the highway dedication request to State Senate President Matt Huffman on Sept. 17, 2022, and both chambers of Ohio’s legislative bodies approved the request in December. Governor DeWine put his seal of approval on House Bill 578 on Jan. 5, 2023. The dedication section of St. Rt. 49 is between Heritage Road at the Greenville city limits to Delisle Fourman Road.
The Wapakoneta Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1126 were posting the colors and after that the Master of Ceremony Jim Buchy welcomed the attendees and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the invocation by Kathy Bowen, Veterans Co-chair, Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR.
Vice Regent Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR Debbie Nisonger talked about Greendyke and introduced guest speaker Rich Lovelady, Vietnam War Commemoration Future and Current Operations, who presented the Greendyke family members with a pin. Angie King, State Representative Ohio House District 84, and Ben Thaeler (on behalf of U.S. Congressman Warren Davidson) provided the dedication. Mike Borges, President of the Wapakoneta VVA Chapter 1126 offered a commendation before Kathy Bowen closed this part of the event with a prayer and the Wapakoneta Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1126 retired the colors.
The Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and Greenville VFW Post 7262 and Greenville American Legion 140 provided Refreshments, before a procession to the sign-unveiling at St Rt 49/Heritage road started. After the unveiling of the sign, gravesite honors at Abbottsville Cemetery by the GHS Class of 1960 and Darke County Honor Guard followed.
Click here for photos of the event.