Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do/

Do not wait to shed your light afar/

To the many duties ever near you now be true/

Brighten the corner where you are."

--Lyrics to "Brighten the Corner Where you Are"" by Charles Gabriel, Paul Mickelson, and Ina Duley Ogden

Memorial Day.

In this special episode, Down Trails of Victory podcast pays tribute to the 1.3 million military men and women who gave their lives defending the United States by telling the story of one of its heroes: Colonel Bobby Gene Vinson of Nederland, Texas.

Bobby Vinson's story takes on a further meaning because he was listed as "Missing in Action" during and after his service in Vietnam, a designation held by over 82,000 service men and women from World War II until the present.

Joining Buck and Brad in telling this incredible story is Bobby Vinson's son-in-law Dr. Mark Harper, Commander US Navy (Retired); and Bobby Vinson's friend and fellow fighter pilot Colonel William "Bill" Keith, US Air Force (Retired), who served with him in Vietnam.

The podcast will pay tribute to Colonel Vinson's school year accomplishments in Nederland; his achievements at West Point; his family; and his heroics as a fighter pilot in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

It will also call attention to the historic advocacy of his wife Joan Vinson, who from her courageous role as National Coordinator for the League of Families from 1969 - 1973 led to today's most visible symbol of American POWs and MIAs: the POW/MIA flag.

Local names and military heroes mentioned in the podcast include Russ Devillier, Red Wilkerson, Walter "Buddy" Davis, I B Griffith, Vernon Butler, J L Redd, Percy Baker, William R Clark, Harry Doornbos, Edward Hughes, Harold Knowles, Henry Broussard, Lester Clotiaux, Martin Ener, George Jones, Kermit Carter, Louis Docken, R B Gregory, Charles Kenmedge, Paul Ritchie, Charles Rowland, Richard Roy, J D Savoy Jr, Louis H Smith, Kenneth Robert Speer, Clarence Peterson, Christopher Ancelet, James Pat Ferguson, James George Howard Jr, William Terrel McNair, John Carnul Myatt, Arvin Douglas Pennell, Anthony R Maddox, and Bruce Churan, among others.

Other names and military heroes mentioned in the podcast include Woodrow Wilson Parker, Chuck Vinson, Robbie Vinson, Vickie Vinson, Laura Vinson Harper, Red Blake, Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, Art Schroeder, Winfield "Skip" Scott, Charlie Gabriel, Michael Harper, and Michael Blassie, among others.

May God bless the heroes that we salute on Memorial Day.

"YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN."

Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!