I was invited to attend the Battalion Memorial service for Sp4 Richard Lee Sparks this year on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day. I was invited by Karen Walker-Sparks, the window of Richard L. Sparks. This service is conducted annually on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day at the Marion Cemetery. The memorial service is conducted graveside by the 589th Engineers Battalion Association.

Others attending were Ron Goodwin, representing the 589th Engineers Battalion Association; Bob Coy, veteran of B company, 589th Engineers; Paul Mitchell, 101st veteran; Oakly Sparks, Jr., 1st. Cav. veteran; and Diane Walker-Butler, sister of Karen Walker-Sparks; and Brad, grandson of Karen Walker-Sparks; and Nikki, granddaughter of Diane Walker-Butler.

Ron Goodwin, who is a veteran of A company, 589th Engineer Battalion, was there to read the tribute and memorial address for Richard Sparks on behalf of the 589th Engineer Battalion Association. Goodwin stated in his address that he and the association wanted the friends and family to know that Richard L. Sparks has not been forgotten by those who served with him in Vietnam. He also stated that it was with great honor that he placed the flowers on Richard L. Sparks’s grave to show their respects for his service and sacrifice.

Bob Coy, of Delaware, Ohio, was attending to honor Richard. He also served with the 589th and was a member of B Company in Vietnam. Paul Mitchell and Oakley Sparks, Jr., are cousins to Richard Sparks and were also serving in Vietnam. Oakley had stated that, “There were five of us cousins serving in Vietnam at the same time.” He said that some of the cousins found out where he was and paid him a visit, much to his surprise.

At past Battalion Memorial services a group of veteran bikers came from Ohio and Kentucky to pay their respects, including Richard’s nephew. Karen Walker-Sparks expressed how touched she was by this honor they showed for her dear Richard. She expressed how much she still misses Richard and appreciates those who come to attend and honor him.

Earlier in Sparks’s military career, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division (the All-American Division). He participated with Operation Power Pack, in which the All-American Division intervened in the civil war in the Dominican Republic. He was also assigned to a couple of missile bases in northern Ohio.

Sp4 Richard Sparks was born on 10 May 1945, in Marion, Ohio. Sparks attended and graduated from Harding High School class of 1963. He served with the 589th Engineers Battalion, D Company. He died on 9 September 1968, in the Binh Dinh Province of South Vietnam. Sparks left behind his wife Karen Walker-Sparks, and then ten month old daughter, Rhonda Sparks.

Sparks is buried in the Marion Cemetery in the Woods section, lot 87. Sp4 Richard L. Sparks is remembered on the Honor Roll, at Marion Veterans Memorial Park; on the west side of the Marion County Courthouse; and also honored on the Vietnam Wall Memorial Panel 43W, line 43.

Sp4 Richard Sparks is also remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Marion County Admin building at 222 West Center St. in Marion, Ohio.