Post 1336 addresses high school history class

Members of St. Juvin Post 1336 Veterans of Foreign Wars recently shared with high school students their personal experiences of serving in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.
Adjutant Keith Roseland, who served in the U.S. Army, joined junior vice commander James “Hoppy” Phillips, who served in the  Marine Corps, and life member Bill Bomba, a Navy veteran, in sharing their stories with David Sinkular’s recent U.S. history class (RUSH) at Coal City High School.
 RUSH is a history elective that covers modern U.S. history including the Vietnam War.
Roseland began sharing his insights 8 years ago and Phillips joined in last year to  add his perspective on the war. Bomba is the latest veteran to participate in the post's Vets go to School  presentation.
Part of the presentation focuses on Marine LCPL Cecil Lee Russell, Coal City's only killed in action soldier  during the Vietnam War. He died as a result of wounds received at Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam on  Feb. 7, 1968.              
Russell's decorations include the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal, as well as  the Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm presented by the Republic of Vietnam.  
The fallen Marine’s memorabilia has been entrusted to Post 1336 by his sister, Carolyn. These items, including his casket flag, are on permanent display in the Coal City Public Library District's local history department.
As part of the  school program, St. Juvin Post members also visit Coal City Middle School for a Veteran's Day presentation in November and the Intermediate School in October.