The sign at Charles Branch Memorial Field has been undergoing a face-lift for the last couple summers thanks to some helpful Veterans and Clyde Machine in Glenwood. 

The ball fields were dedicated to Charles Branch in the late 1990s. Branch is the only Pope County resident to lose his life in the Vietnam War. “Terrence Engel is also listed as a loss, but he isn’t from the area. His parents moved here, so Charles is technically the only,” said Grant Hanson. 

“The helicopters on the sign also have a significance. Lee Kerfield, a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, had taken a photo of another helicopter flying next to him and so the silhouettes are the same as the photo,” said Hanson. 

The sign was installed roughly 15 years ago. It is made of redwood. Clay Nestor from Clyde Machine arranged the powder coating of the sign and its lettering.

Pictured are the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 that have been part of the fix-up process. Left to right are Grant Hanson, Dale Anderson, Bob Friesen and Peter Wydo. Not pictured is Steve Pohlman.

Charles Branch was the son of Chester and Evelyn Branch of Starbuck. He was drafted into the Army on January 25, 1968, and was sent to boot camp in Campbell, Kentucky. He went to Vietnam on July 13, 1968, and was wounded on October 1 of that year. He was in a medical evacuation helicopter which came under fire and crashed, killing all aboard. He has been awarded eight medals posthumously. They are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, Vietnamese and Vietnam Service Medals, National Defense Service, Combat Infantryman Badge and Rifle Qualifications Badge.