CITY OF FLORISSANT SEWER BACKUP SUPPORT AND RESOURCE FAIR NOV....
Read More
Charles F. Prevedel Plaque Dedication in . . .
Old Town May 29 Prior to
First Wednesday Night Out
Sgt. 1st Class
Charles F. Prevedel
to be honored
The City of Florissant and Old Town Partners will host a dedication to unveil a plaque in honor of Vietnam War MIA/POW and Green Beret U.S. Army Patriot Sgt. 1st Class Charles F. Prevedel who died in the Vietnam War.
This will be the 39th Walk through History plaque in honor of someone who has made a valuable contribution to Florissant or someone with Florissant roots who has had an impact on our nation. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:45 p.m. in front of 490 rue St. Francois. The plaque dedication will take place during the first Wednesday Night Out festivities “Proud To Be An American” which is being sponsored by the VFW Post 4105 and Goldkamp Heating & Cooling located at 410 rue St. Francois and will start at 6:00 p.m.
The Plaque reads:
SGT. 1st CLASS CHARLES F. PREVEDEL
Vietnam Era MIA/POW Green Beret
18 November 1943-17 April 1969
Sgt. 1st Class Charles F. Prevedel’s name is on the Vietnam Obelisk located at Koch Park in Florissant. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 1969. Joint U.S.- Vietnamese teams excavated the ambush site 1990-1993, and recovered remains and Prevedel’ s remains were DNA identified in 2003. In October of 2004 his remains were returned to his family and buried very near his parents at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.
The search for other artifacts and remains continued. In 2011 the family was notified more remains were found. Those identified as Charles’ were again buried at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. One other American’s remains were also identified and buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In October 2011, the unidentified remains were interred in Arlington Cemetery. Charles name is engraved, along with the other two American soldiers, on this group burial site in Arlington National Cemetery. The Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building honors him at 9700 Page Avenue in Overland.
Sergeant Prevedel’s death and the ordeal of uncertainty regarding his remains was suffered by his family and friends for 42 years before his remains came to Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. The Vietnam Veterans Motto “Never Forget” is a vigilance that has motivated the United States to make repatriation a priority for normalization of relations which has been embraced by the modern international country of Vietnam.
The PBS Vietnam War Documentary by Ken Burns contained a balanced and sober narrative by combatants of both sides who experienced the storm of a long war and who now embrace the desire for reconciliation, peace, trade and a brotherhood that can only be explained by former enemies in the field of battle.
