Kelly Voll / The Citizen

VICTORY - In a tiny red building that blends in with the autumn-colored countryside, friends and neighbors passed around refreshments, listened to a live band and shared stories.

This building, the Victory Museum, in the center of the town, buzzed with activity Sunday during an open house and homecoming event for local Vietnam veterans. The main point of celebration was the new name that will soon be bestowed upon New York State Route 38: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor.

“We're very proud that, in the little town of Victory, we were able to take this idea and bring it to pass,” said Lucille Crain, town supervisor. “They say that things usually don't happen in a small town. They're wrong.”

Victory resident and Vietnam veteran Lauren Dates was the man behind the naming of Route 38. He served in the Vietnam War as a staff sergeant from 1966 to 1969. His brother, who also served, passed away last December, and became the inspiration for Dates to start pushing to have the 100-mile road named in honor of those who sacrificed during and long after Vietnam.

“My brother died after a long, debilitating illness,” said Dates. “The VA (Veterans Affairs) declined to provide any help because his illness couldn't be traced definitively to his military service.”

After researching government statistics on veterans deaths and reflecting on his brother's life and death, Dates decided he had to do something to raise local awareness of the sacrifice veterans make both during war and for the rest of their lives.

“Not only did they give up two to three years when they were young,” said Dates, “but they are also giving up 10 years at the end of their lives, too.”

Sunday's event attracted more than 35 people. Refreshments were available for visitors. A local band, the Coleman Family Band, entertained visitors with traditional American songs played on guitar, fiddle and banjo.

Collections of Vietnam War memorabilia were spread out on tables for visitors to view. Bob McDuffie, a Vietnam veteran, brought his coin collection, as well as scrapbooks of war propaganda that were distributed in Vietnam during the war. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, and served from 1972 to 1973.

Dates said he is concerned that young people in this area do not know enough about the wars that happened before they were born.

“If something doesn't happen in your lifetime, it may as well be history,” he said.

The decision to name Route 38 for veterans was a natural one for Dates and others in Victory. Two Medal of Honor awardees are connected to the road. Spc. Bob Stryker, who jumped onto a grenade to save his fellow soldiers during Vietnam, is buried near Route 38 in Throop, said Dates. Another hero who gave up his life in Vietnam, 2nd Lt. Terrence Graves, has a memorial dedicated to him in Groton, on Route 38.

The dedication and naming of Route 38, which stretches from Sterling to Owego, will be held on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at both Auburn City Hall and in Victory, at the firehall. Ceremonies will also be held in Groton, Owego and in other towns along Route 38.

Victory town historian Beverly Sayles, said she is proud that her town recognizes veterans in such a big way.

“We're probably the smallest, poorest town in the county,” she said. “But we love our vets. We have a Veterans Day program every year, and this year's program will be the official dedication of Route 38.”

Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net.