PINE PLAINS — A special ceremony was held at the Clocktower in the center of town Monday at 2 p.m. to honor James Joseph Lynch III, who was a private first class in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Many veterans and local citizens attended the ceremony to show their support and respect for Lynch, who was born May 17, 1948, in Pine Plains. He was killed April 7, 1969, as the result of small arms fire, after only spending six weeks on the ground in Vietnam.
There is already a war memorial for Vietnam veterans next to the Clocktower, and even though the research for the memorial took over 10 years, Lynch’s name never came up.
“All this really would have been hard to do without the Internet,� said town Councilman George Keeler, who was one of several people spearheading the ceremony.
Lynch grew up as the older brother in a family that raised 20 children. He attended school with Carol Miller, who is the pastor at the town’s Presbyterian Church and led the community gathered in prayer during the ceremony.
When he enlisted, Lynch’s family moved to Avon, Conn., and the connection was lost with Pine Plains. It wasn’t until his name was noticed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., under the town of Pine Plains, that an investigation began.
“It was thought that no one [from Pine Plains] was killed during Vietnam,� Keeler said. “I remember looking at the number of the people on the [town memorial] plaque and wondering in amazement how all of them never even got a scratch. It’s one of those tragic, tragic things.�
Keeler said that he had exhausted contacts to family members, none of whom were able to attend the ceremony. Several however sent letters to be read.
“So many veterans are forgotten by society and government,� wrote Lynch’s niece, Valerie. “Jimmy Joe was a hero and will be missed by all of us, every day.�
Lynch’s sister Angel said that she never knew her brother, but knows “the moment [he] gave his life will stand the test of time. Looking at pictures of him, he has such remarkable kindness radiating from him.�
State Assemblyman Marc Molinaro couldn’t attend the ceremony, but also sent a letter along, reminding people that “in times like this we must ignore that which divides us. You should be proud that this great community gives hope to those who live in his shadow.�
State Senator Vincent Leibell attended and gave a brief speech, saying how “wonderful it is that you would remember him.
“This young man was a contemporary of mine,� he said. “I had the good fortune to live my life. He missed all that, and that’s a heck of a sacrifice. We did not get the chance to know him better, and we are truly blessed that we have had so many willing to make that sacrifice.�
Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver mentioned how the past few interviews with various newspapers about the ceremony have caused him to reflect.
“The proudest moments of my life are here on Memorial Day,� he said. “I’ll always remember what it means to me and to the town. Private Lynch was part of the community, and he paid the ultimate sacrifice.�
Bob Clinch dedicated the monument, which is a bronzed statue of standard issue boots, rifle and helmet, with a photo of Lynch at the bottom. The monument was on display for the rest of the day, but was then taken down for the rest of the winter. A case will be constructed to make the monument more permanent.
“We were a few grades apart,� Keeler said after the ceremony, where refreshments were available and people stayed to converse about Lynch and his legacy. “The thing I remember most about him was his carrot-red hair. There were so many [family members] it was sometimes hard to keep track. This has been a long time coming though, and a lot of hard work went into it. It’s tragic and I hope we never have to do this kind of thing again.�
