Vietnam Veteran Bob Romig honored as Wayne County Veteran of the Year

WOOSTER − A somber celebration commemorating the Wayne County Veteran of the Year and sharing some history about the Veterans Day holiday was held Saturday morning in the Event Center at the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

Vietnam veteran Bob Romig was presented with this year's honor as the Wayne County Veteran of the Year. Romig shared some of his experiences serving in southeast Asia in 1969-70.

Veteran of the Year Committee Chairman Jeff Sampsel introduced Romig.

"To all you brother veterans out there, I want you to make time to enjoy your day today," Romig said. "I am blessed to have part of my family here; my wife of 55 years, twin daughters and their families, one son-in-law who is also a combat veteran in Desert Storm, and four of our eight grandchildren.

"I want to thank the members of chapter 555 of Vietnam Veterans of America who selected me to receive this honor, and Jeff and Mary Sampsel who made this happen," he continued.

Romig was a combat infantry platoon leader with Delta Company 101st Airborne, operating in the cold, mountainous region of A Sau Valley, west of the city of Hue.

"Our objective was to engage the North Vietnamese as they moved south to join the fight," he said. "The enemy we fought were uniformed. Our unit established a fire base called Rip Chord. Our purpose was to fire artillery into the surrounding mountains where North Vietnamese soldiers were moving."

Romig related how his battalion commander Lt. Col. Andre Lucas was killed while orchestrating their withdrawal in one of the largest air operations of the war.

He also shared about another mission in July 1970, when he was sent to extract wounded in a med evac from the jungle.

Romig shared about his experience as a guest lecturer and discussion leader at the College of Wooster for a class about the Vietnam War in 1987.

"As a result of this class, students created a memorial," Romig said. The site was dedicated May 5, 1987, in a wooded area between the baseball and football fields. The site includes benches and a rock, inscribed with the words, 'created by the students for all who suffered due to the Vietnam War. May their pain guide our path.'

"I found this class to be helpful in integrating the Vietnam experience into my life," he continued.

History of Veterans Day

Emcee of the event, Tom Ballinger, shared the history behind Veterans Day, which began in November, 1919, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the armistice, which was signed on Nov. 11, 1918, to end the war to end all wars, which became known as World War I.

Veteran Jeff Sampsel explained that Armistice Day was celebrated from 1919 until 1954, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed it to Veterans Day in celebration of all who served the country in a time of need.

The Table of Honor and the Wreath

Keynote speaker Richard Arthur, president of the Buckeye Vietnam Veterans group out of Canton, thanked all the veterans for their service and shared the historical significance of the wreath and the table of honor.

He explained the Memorial Day commemorates all those who gave their lives for their country in battle or from wounds suffered in battle. Veterans Day honors all who have served their country in war or peace.

"Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifice," Arthur said.

The wreath symbolizes the circle that is found in all civilizations, a divine, sacred and universal symbol. Wreaths have been used at funerals since at least ancient Greece to represent a circle of eternal life.

The Table of Honor, a setting for one to remind us of those who are missing from our midst, Arthur explained. Symbols on the table include a single red rose, a candle of hope and a plate with a lemon signifying the bitter fate, as well as a single glass, turned upside down, for a toast, "when they all come home."

Commissioners dedication

Wayne County Commissioners Sue Smail, Jonathan Hofstetter and Ron Amstutz shared a proclamation renaming a stretch of Old Lincoln Way between US 250 and state Route 302 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Bob Romig honored as Wayne County Veteran of the Year