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Bonds of war last a lifetime

CASSADAGA – “Freedom is not free” is a statement many motorists and residents have seen for years on World War II veteran Charles St. George’s pickup truck. For those who have been on the front lines, they do not need that reminder.

War is hell. Soldiers are removed from their families and loved ones, often traveling overseas. They see things many of us could never imagine. They may be fighting for their country, but they are also fighting for their friends: those who are with them through those bitter battles.

So great is the bond between some servicemen and women that they will go hundreds and thousands of miles to see and pay tribute to their fallen comrades. Last week, Richard Pocha of Las Vegas, Nev., and Ken Soney of Midland, Mich., made the trip to this Chautauqua County village to remember the life of Harry Leonard Kaus Jr., who was from Dunkirk.

Kaus was the first Western New Yorker to die in Vietnam 50 years ago on Aug. 18. A tribute last weekend brought a thankful and humble gathering of 100 people inside the American Legion Post 1280 on a hot summer Sunday. Many of those who attended were from area legions – and just as significant – a lot served in Vietnam.

It was a thankless war, unlike World War II when soldiers were treated as heroes and celebrated. When these veterans returned in the late 1960s and early ’70s, they were not roundly applauded for their service.

Vietnam was the first made-for-TV war. The American public did not like what it saw through the nightly news and a segment of the population took it out on those veterans.

It made this ceremony even more emotional for so many of these men who served America.

Pocha vividly recalled his time on the battlefield and the moments after he learned about his friend’s death.

“The commander said the people died for their country,” he said. “Very few people ever died for their country. Most of them died for self-preservation and preservation of their friends.”

Soney was one of those cronies. When he turned 17 – after a childhood of watching John Wayne and some assorted war movies, he wanted to join the service. He left Canada and enlisted in Detroit.

Three days later, his military service began in San Diego. He would later team with Pocha and Kaus while preparing for battle in Vietnam. “I had never heard of it,” he said of the country.

Soney was in a helicopter that would land in the aftermath of an attack that ultimately led to the death of Kaus, whose courageous actions inspired his platoon to destroy the remaining enemy.

“We jumped out (of the helicopter),” he said. “I could see dead enemies all over the place. Some men were half blown away. I was scared.”

He trudged on, despite sniper and mortar fire, and began to learn within minutes the names of those who landed and died ahead of their aircraft. One of those men included Kaus.

“It didn’t sink in because Harry and I were really close … I almost started crying at that time.”

War, however, leaves no time for emotions – and the duration after the battle ends can be just as cruel. Memories terrorize those who saw the horror and the unexplainable.

But the bond remains. It is why members of the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Honor Guard do not miss a funeral when a fellow area military veteran dies. It’s why that same group attends annual services that salute our service members while flying the U.S. flag proudly.

“I’m not here to celebrate a life,” Pocha said. “I’m not out here to mourn a death either. I’m simply here to celebrate a friendship.”

It was not easy for Bruce Kaus, Harry’s brother, to lead this stirring ceremony in which he provided his memories of what transpired 50 years ago. Edziu and Kathy, his other siblings, also were in attendance.

Harry’s legacy will live forever in Western New York thanks to family and friends. He would be proud.

John D’Agostino is the OBSERVER publisher. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 366-3000, ext. 401.

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