This is a wonderful day for the veterans and the KILLED IN ACTION who deserve this honor by virtue of
this monument. This day is a very special day for the next of kin as well. I would like to describe to you
the feelings of the Next of Kin.
I am Jeff Lefler proud brother to Cliff Lefler Jr. KILLED IN ACTION in the Vietnam War. Cliff was killed
one week before his return home from Vietnam.
I was very young when Cliff was killed. I’ll never forget that day. A man wearing the same uniform as Cliff’
s was at our door. Dad answered the door and called for mom; and mom walked into room and glanced
at the man and began to cry. Then dad cried. At very young age I just found out about death and that
one life intertwines with many others. There are 17 KILLED IN ACTION names on our Memorial and
behind one name are many names.
The news of Cliff’s death struck our family like an earthquake with rubble everywhere with me young
and bewildered standing in the middle of the destruction. My family would build from that rubble and
continue on with their lives as Cliff would want us to.
My position as Secretary of the DTVA has allowed me to meet other next of kin families: most recently
the families of James Wright, Timothy Roos and Robert Weber.
At their funerals when I looked into the eyes of the parents of these KILLED IN ACTION men, I was
taken back to June 1969 and I was looking into the eyes of my own parents. I knew the grief the
Wrights, Rooses & Webers were enduring. The only comfort I could give them is that as years go by the
memories of their loved one would never dim nor fade, but will illuminate even brighter and stronger.
Today the families of the next of kin have the support of the community. Flag waving people lined
streets to honor the casket of these fallen men.
My parents had no such support during the Vietnam era. I have heard stories during the Vietnam era
that when Vietnam Vets came home, they were ridiculed, harassed and spat upon. There were no flag
waving citizens to welcome home the KILLED IN ACTION. How a generation has changed and how
America has matured. Now the KILLED IN ACTION and their families get the appropriate honor and
support they deserve.
The basic lesson America has learned is that the policy debates on the conduct of military action should
remain in the halls of our government and that the soldier should not be held accountable to the
decisions made in the halls of our government; and that the support of our troops should always be in
the hearts and spirit of the American people.
Whether in the streets of London, New York, Bagdad, Delhi India, or Delhi Ohio, until people begin to
respect and value life, there will always be a need for a military and law enforcement; and therefore
monuments such as the Wall of Honor.
Monuments are an important part of healing especially to the next of kin. All wars cause wounds. For
the Next of Kin those wounds will forever fester. Monuments, like the Wall of Honor, are like medicine
and help the healing process. They help soothe the pain through love and pride. Though these
monuments look cold and unfeeling; by their symbolic gesture, it allows us to keep reaching out towards
those we love and who sacrificed so much. I am sure that those gone before us are looking down on us
today with pride- as we are proud of them.
Providence gave our Founding Fathers the spirit and principles to create a nation to which we live.
Seventeen Delhi soldiers and one Delhi Police officer sacrificed their lives based on those principles.
The most we can do is to try to live up to those principles and standards ensuring that those who
served did not die in vain.
I and my sister, Joyce Mentrup, personally want to thank the community of Delhi for honoring all
veterans today. When we needed help funding this project; Delhi residents and businesses opened
their hearts and wallets. My sister and I would also like to thank all veterans for their service to their
country.
As I grew up and when I was at Cliff’s graveside or looking over his photos; I made promises that I would
not allow this nation to forget those who sacrificed. I want to publicly thank the DTVA for allowing me, a
non veteran, to come into their ranks and to participate in this project and organization. My part was
small but I feel like I kept that promise in my brother’s honor and in honor my parents. My part also
allows me to give back to the veteran and to help other next of kin. So, Thank You DTVA for this honor.
Freedom is not free. America needs to remember that; and here today in Delhi-today we do remember.
Thank You and God Bless
Next of Kin
by Jeff Lefler
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