Remembering a hero 50 years later
A few moments after a dark-colored vehicle pulled into the driveway of Jim and Bernice Bradley's home, time stood still. A soldier in full military dress delivered the unwelcome news that Sgt. Thomas James Bradley, a 1965 graduate of Minneota, had been killed in action while serving his country during the Vietnam War.
Bradley, a heavy-vehicle driver for the U.S. Army in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, was killed on June 19, 1969 at the age of 21.
Bradley and others in his unit had been stationed near Saigon. To recognize the 50th anniversary of his death and to honor his service to his country, Tom's siblings, Deb Ahmann and Dick Bradley, will be appearing from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the Vietnam Memorial and History Center in Minneota to share stories during a meet-and-greet.
The event is free and open to the public.
"We have a lot of relatives in Minnesota and many of them haven't seen the museum," said Ahmann.
"So we thought this would be a good opportunity for them to see the museum and to also get together and talk about Tom." Dick, who now lives in St. James with his wife Pat, was 18 years old and Deb was only 11 when their older brother had been killed in action in Vietnam.
"Dick and I were just talking about this and we can't believe it's been 50 years," said Ahmann, a retired English teacher now living in Marshall. "It seems like only a few months ago. It's all still so vivid in our minds.”
"We went to the Memorial Day service recently and it was the 49th time that my brother's name has been read. It's just too hard to imagine it having been that many years." Sgt. Bradley, as well as others from the Minneota area, are honored with displays in the Vietnam Memorial and History Center.
"Dick has all of Tom's medals, including his Purple Heart, and will be bringing them (on June 15) to show," said Ahmann.
"Dick also has the last letter Tom wrote home and is going to donate that to the museum." That letter is dated June 18, 1969; the day before Tom was killed. In part, the letter mentioned that he was sorry he hadn't written sooner, but he had been out on missions and was very busy.
"Dick had called me not to long ago and said 'Look what I found' and told me about the letter," said Ahmann. "I just sobbed when I read it." Dick and Deb are hoping the word gets out to many local people so they will join them at the Vietnam History Center in sharing stories about their brother.
"We want to hear some stories that we never knew about our brother," said Ahmann. "We've seen some nickels on his grave (meaning the person visiting the gravesite served in basic training with the deceased). There are so many stories that I don't know about Tom."
The Vietnam Memorial and History Center, which is operated by veteran brothers Royal and Charlie Hettling, is on Highway 68 in downtown Minneota.
NOTE: A gathering at the Vietnam Memorial and History Center in Minneota will be to recognize the 50th anniversary of Tom’s passing. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 15. Share a hug, a handshake or a memory. Tom’s family is hosting the event.