Plaque honors fallen Vietnam soldiers from Boardman

BOARDMAN — Edward Lozano sent a letter home to his parents asking for Kool-Aid because it was so hot in Vietnam. But his father, Leroy Lozano, said the package did not arrive before he heard his son had died after only six weeks there.

Lozano and seven other Boardman natives are honored on a plaque dedicated to Boardman veterans who died in Vietnam.

The plaque, which was created in 1985, is on display in Boardman Park at the Armed Forces Memorial and will be dedicated during the Memorial Day program May 28.

Leroy Lozano said his son enlisted in the Navy so that he would not be drafted into the Army. When Edward Lozano was tending to wounded soldiers in Vietnam, he got shot, too. Leroy Lozano said he knew no more about his son’s death.

Carol Bonte, sister of David Eisenbraun, one of the other veterans on the plaque, said the plaque is a wonderful reminder of the men’s service.

“When people see that, they don’t take it for granted,” Bonte said. After a pause, remembering her brother, she continued. “It’s a lot of years ago, but it seems like yesterday.”

See The Vindicator or Vindy.com on Monday for the complete story.