Jack Lykins is working on the first steps of a plan he is calling Operation Hero Preservation, where he will work to document and record the histories of local veterans.
“Growing up like all other boys, I learned many things from my dad,” Lykins said. “He taught me how to change the oil, how to change a tire, how to mow a yard, the value of working every day and the importance of taking care of your kids.”
“He also taught me two other lessons that I still honor,” Lykins adds. “ One: This is a great country. And two: To love and respect our veterans.
“My dad (Jack Dean Lykins) was a Vietnam War veteran,” Lykins said. “He served as a medic with Dustoff 236. For those who don’t know what Dustoff is, it was a med evacuation unit that went into combat zones to pick up wounded or sick soldiers.”
“He was stationed in DaNang at Red Beach,” Lykins states. “They had a field site, South of DaNang, Hawk Hill (Hill29) where they would go for four day tours. This was just southwest of the Hoi An area where dad was wounded.”
“On 19, May 1970, they were returning to DaNang at the end of their tour at Hawk Hill when they took the secure mission for a civilian with a fever (Malaria),” Lykins recounts. “On the way out, one sniper shot at them and dad was wounded.
“He was awarded the Purple Heart on 4, June 1970,” Lykins said. “Dad never talked much about his tours in Vietnam or about his getting shot.”
Lykins, who is serving as principal at Lewis County High School, said many veterans from that era haven’t really told their stories and he began to develop a project to help record those stories for future generations.
“Because my dad never talked much about his experiences in Vietnam, I don’t have anything recorded to document or show my kids,” he said. “This is what led to a new project for me to take on.”
“Far too often our veterans leave this world without their stories being heard, I know that is the case with my dad,” he said. “Our plan is to have veterans sign up to come to the high school and have their stories recorded.”
Jack Dean Lykins died at the age of 72 at his home on July 3, 2021. He is entombed at Lewis County Memory Gardens at Black Oak.
“We want to document for future generations so they will know and better understand the sacrifices made by these veterans,” Lykins states.
“We will record in the high school auditorium, just me and the veteran on stage, sitting and talking,” he said. “We will record all veterans who are willing to participate in the project and make them available in a collection online so that others may see and hear these stories first-hand.”
Veterans wishing to participate in the project may get more information and schedule a time at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563869371059.
Lykins may be reached at Lewis County High School by calling 606-796-2823, or by email at jack.lykins@lewis.kyschools.us.
“I know each of our veterans have amazing stories to tell,” Lykins said. “This will be an opportunity to preserve those stories and let them be heard.”
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