The U.S.S. Hyman, a U.S. Navy destroyer active in World War II as well as the Korean War, was hit with a kamikaze plane and sunk on April 6, 1945. Lietch, who was later a teacher and principal at Sunnyside Elementary School, a local school board member, a city council member, a member of the Memorial Park Board and one of the oldest tennis coaches in the state, served on the Hyman. Hall was in command of the battle group the Hyman was assigned to.

City council member Lynn Perdue’s wife, Cindy, is Lietch’s daughter. She said her father served on the Hyman and is one of only four men still alive who served on the ship when it was first commissioned. She explained that many of the World War II and Korean war veterans that served on the Hyman get together at least once a year and one of those gatherings takes place April 6 in New Castle.

“The men and their families have a great time being together that week,” she said. “When you are with them, it is obvious that they share a very deep bond. There is lots of laughter, stories and fellowship, but during the ceremony at the park, they are very reverent and sometimes emotional as they ring a bell as each man’s name is read. Taps are played. There is a gun salute with the Color Guard, and white carnations are laid on a replica of the ship and the stone. The replica is on display at the Smith Building and the stone and flag are at the entrance of the new part of the park.”

Peckinpaugh said that when Lietch and his combat brothers get together in New Castle, he wants them to know their service to country has not been forgotten and that the community continues to appreciate them.

“Mr. Lietch is one of those people who has just been part of the fabric of this community. He has touched an incredible number of lives,” Peckinpaugh said. “I just felt like it would be great to honor him, great to honor the crew of the U.S.S. Hyman, and great to honor those people who come to New Castle to honor the memory of their fallen shipmates. I hope in years to come when they come here they can see not only the monument in Memorial Park, but also the name of their admiral on that shelter house and Richard Lietch’s name on a street in Baker Park.”

Perdue said her dad wants to make sure any dedication that takes place in the future includes all veterans who served in all branches of the military, especially those who live in Henry County.

“The men who served on that ship are so humble and don’t want any recognition, but they certainly deserve our respect,” Perdue said. “When we are out and dad has on his sailor hat, people always come up to him and thank him for his service. He’s just humble and grateful for the friendships he made and the life lessons he learned.”

Peckinpaugh’s motion was unanimously supported by a vote of 7 to 0. His recommendation will be passed along to the parks board for consideration.