Paulding Memorial Day Ceremony Guest Speaker: Captain Guy Dennis Gruters Vietnam War Veteran

John Paulding VFW Post 587 is hosting their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Live Oak Cemetery in Paulding, Ohio, on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. This community event honors fallen service members and will feature Captain Guy Dennis Gruters as the guest speaker.

Captain Guy Dennis Gruters was a United States Air Force o icer and fighter pilot best known for his survival for over five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was one of the five hundred and ninety-one surviving POWs of all military services released in 1973 for return to the United States during Operation Homecoming.

Captain Gruters’ decorations include more than thirty combat awards, with two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Star Medals for Valor, the POW Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation, over 20 Air Medals and other medals.