Monday, May 28, 2018

Captain Richard Hulse, Vietnam Fallen, Honored by John Maddox Memorial D...





 Memorial Day Speech by John Maddox honoring Richard Hulse who gave his life for our freedom.

 May 26, 2018 

 I have been asked to give a Memorial Day Ceremony presentation (McGuireville,  AZ). Here is my speech:

 Memorial Day Ceremony

26 May 2018

McGuireville, AZ

 Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember those who died, in the service of their country. Unlike Veterans Day, which is a day set aside to salute all Veterans, past and present, who have served their country with distinction.


Throughout the history of this our country, there have been tens of thousands Killed in Action during hostilities. The war of 1812, the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the many other conflicts and hostilities around the world. The majority of those who died on the battlefield have been enshrined on memorials across our lands, in Veterans parks in cities and towns, cemeteries and even documented in church records. Some names of those killed have been lost to history, when their remains were never recovered, or when killed on foreign soil and not identified--forgotten by most--but always remembered by a few.


Who are these brave warriors, called to duty by their country, taking an oath to “Protect and Defend” you and I, from ALL enemies, foreign or domestic? They were once simply civilians, “Civilians," those who go about their daily lives, oblivious to the high stakes “game” of War, REAL WAR, a war where you can’t “recharge” your guy and then just continue on, in battles fought with joysticks and keyboards. Because WAR is REAL, and in Real War, people die.


Who are these people who gave their all? Where did they grow up, did they have any brothers or sisters; who were their friends, their high school sweethearts. What was their favorite color, their favorite food, their favorite games? These are questions that can only be answered IF we remember that there is a Name that goes with each and every individual who paid the ultimate sacrifice, for each and every one of us.


Now, if you believe in the Bible, or even if you don’t, there is a statement that epitomizes this type of sacrifice that says: “Greater Love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Today, we want to share with you one such friend, a “Local Boy” of sorts, who answered the call and paid the price. A young man who lived among us and had he not given the ultimate sacrifice, might have become the local store owner, your county supervisor, or maybe the guy who simply helped you out at the gas station.


Today, in addition to remembering ALL who died in service to their country, we want to recognize and pay a special tribute to Captain Richard Hulse, United States Army, who was shot down and killed in Vietnam on March 23rd, 1970, just shy of turning 25 years old. Today, we are joined by Richard’s brother Doug Hulse, a 20-year resident of Cottonwood, who I had the privilege to meet and talk with, about who Richard was and I want to thank him for allowing us this opportunity to honor his brother and the information I was able to gather.


Richard was born on May 5th, 1945 in Phoenix to Richard and Betty Hulse. In 1953 the Hulse family moved from Phoenix to San Manuel, located in Southeastern Arizona where they hold the distinction of being the FIRST residences of this newfound community, when Magna Copper Company built the Town of San Manuel, to provide a smelter for their mining operations. In 1957 the Hulse family moved to Flagstaff, where Richard would finish out high school with the Class of 1963, as the Salutatorian.


While in high school, Richard was very active as a member of the school band, the marching band, jazz band and dancing band, playing the trombone. He was in choir, the Glee Club, the National Honor Society, Key Club and had attended Boys State (which by the way, is proudly sponsored by the American Legion, to this day). Finally, Richard enjoyed skiing, fishing and hunting. It was during this time that Richard’s dad, an avid golfer, would come to Lake Montezuma to play golf at every opportunity and on many occasions, Richard would join him, where he loved playing in the community and as I understand it, also played a round or two of golf himself. (I was recently told that Richard's dad is the Only person to have hit a Hole in One at the Lake Montezuma Golf Course), somebody will need to check up on that piece of trivia.


Upon graduating high school, Richard received appointments to West Point, the Merchant Marine Academy and the US Air Force Academy Prep School. What all this tells me folks, is Richard, even as a young teenager, had his act together. Richard’s lifelong dream had always been to go to West Point and, he hoped to someday, become a helicopter pilot, but not in just any helicopter, an AH-1 Cobra, the baddest of the bad attack helicopters in the US Inventory. Richard chose and completed 4 years at West Point, went on to Officers Candidate School and finally Flight School, where he began to train and fly in, yes you guessed it, the Cobra.


Richard's short time on earth shows us an exceptional individual, who pursued and realized his dreams, through hard work and perseverance. He was a young man, like any of us here, who gave of himself to keep us free and it’s through his untimely death we realize and therefore, must never forget, that Freedom, Isn’t Free.

During Richard’s military career, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal and the Purple Heart.


In addition, Captain Hulse received the Air Medal with “V”, the National Defense Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.


I say all of this to you today, to hopefully drive home the fact, that those who fight and die for your freedoms, are brothers, sisters, neighbors and friends, so you might remember, that while Memorial Day can be a day to enjoy family and friends, it is more importantly recognized as a reminder that our Freedom has been paid for, with Real Blood, so that you can enjoy all you have, living in a Free Society. And So, while I invite you to enjoy today’s festivities, please, as you do, remember the sacrifices, remember the brother, the sister, the school mate or best friend, who is with us no more.


Pass along the legacies, the stories, the history, for generations to come – Teach Them.


Let Us Never Forget  (Used with permission from John Maddox.)

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Arizona Flywheelers 2017 Event at Verde Valley Fairgrounds - 3





A 1957 John Deere 520, owned by Brian Bolton, is driven by Landon McKay in the Arizona Flywheelers Tractor pull held at the Verde Valley Fairgrounds in Cottonwood, Verde Valley, Arizona. Later Jim Randall pulls with his 1957 John Deere 720 diesel. Paul Joens pulls the sled back with his International Harvester 560, and Tristen Mulcaire, son of Jess and Shanna, drives a 1941 D John Deere. Jim Radley runs the blade on his Ford tractor. Paul Jacobson was there to assist throughout the day and was the main operator of the trashing machine powered by the "Pope mobile," a 1949 B John Deere. Lawrence Matthews operated the pulling sled. Brian Bolton assisted with the pulling sled, along with Kit Adams and Dennis Weckerly. Other volunteers also assisted. Several members of the "younger generation" assisted the "old timers."