Van K. “Mac” McCarty said he will be celebrating Memorial Day Monday by remembering two local veterans who lost their lives serving our country.

McCarty said on Memorial Day 2008 he began thinking about how he could bring recognition to some of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It made me think because all Americans, especially young Americans, must understand that freedom is not free,” he said. “We owe our liberty to those who gave their all. .. Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance.”

McCarty said because of this, he began researching the history of two local soldiers who did not return from service.

“The late summer of 1967 was not a good summer for two Mississippi families as two top Marine officers from the Magnolia State lost their lives while flying out of the Marine Air Base in Chu Lai,” McCarty said. “The pilots -- while separate and apart -- left fascinating stories of honor and devotion to the Corps and its mission for the war effort in the Republic of South Vietnam. “

McCarty, who grew up in Jasper County, said when he arrived in Chu Lai the following year he “was completely oblivious of the fate of my neighbors and fellow Marines from Mississippi.”

McCarty said the families of Charles Wallace and Glenn Jacks lived across the county line in Jones County.

“When I joined the Marines and was assigned to the fixed wing aviation field (jets) there’s no way I could have fully appreciated the trailblazers like Wallace and Jacks who had gone before me,” he said.

According to McCarty’s research, Charles Franklin Wallace, who was from Ellisville, lost his life on August 28, 1967. His A-4E Skyhawk was shot down two miles north of the Demilitarized Zone. While on a bombing run, Major Wallace’s aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft artillery.

McCarty’s research shows that Major Glenn Gates Jacks of Laurel was killed on October 19, 1967. His F-4B Phantom suffered an engine failure as it was taking off on a strike mission. Jacks and his Radar Intercept Officer, 1Lt. Fred E. MacGeary, lost their lives in the crash.

McCarty said these trailblazers should be remembered for the service they gave to Jones County and the country.

“Majors Wallace and Jacks each had 16 years of Marine Corps service but their deaths resulted from a misfortune taking place in only a matter of seconds. As a proud Mississippian, I can’t help but honor these men with the highest respect and dignity for their service to our country.”

McCarty said because of these men’s dedication and service, he began researching their history and have visited their grave sites.

“Wallace and Jacks joined hundreds of other Mississippians whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ocean Springs. Their names are also on the Jones County War Memorial in Laurel,” McCarty said. “A memorial marker for Major Wallace is in place at his parents’ gravesite at the Ellisville Cemetery. His name is also inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. Major Jacks was buried at the National Cemetery in Natchez.”

McCarty said he has enjoyed learning about these two Jones Countians and their contributions.

“Of the thousands of fatal accidents involving jet aircraft in the war in Southeast Asia, who would have ever thought that these two servicemen, connected by a county line, would remain so relevant and on my mind 42 years later on this Memorial Day, 2009,” he said. “I offer my sincere thanks to these Marine pilots who gave their lives in the service and protection of our great country.”

McCarty, who now lives in Meridian, said he encourages others to research the lives of other veterans who have contributed to the service of this country.

“I’ve tried to pay my respect as best I can,” he said. “Memorial Day is about the fellows who didn’t make it back and the sacrifices they made.”

He said anyone having more information about Wallace or Jacks or their families can contact him by email at vanmac@bellsouth.net