Hometown Hero Honored For Courage During Battle

The town of Fairfield salutes Vietnam veteran, Kenneth Kays. More than 30 years after his courageous actions in Vietnam, a hometown hero was honored in Fairfield, Illinois Saturday afternoon. Patriotism, bravery, and respect - those were the themes of a memorial held in honor of Private First Class Kenneth Kays. Event organizer Mike Pottorff says, "Kenny Kays was a young man that grew up in Fairfield in the 50s and 60s." Kays former Platoon Sergeant Stephen Avgerinos says, "Kenny Kays was in our platoon and I was the platoon sergeant on the night of may 7, 1970 when Kenny took the action that he did." On that May night in Vietnam, more than 3 decades ago, Kays was serving as an army medic with the 101st Airborne Division, when enemy fire suddenly erupted, assaulting his company. In a very dangerous situation, Kays jeopardized his own safety to protect his fellow soldiers. Pottorff says, "He began rendering aid to his comrades and he lost a leg from a mortar hit. Kenny tied a tourniquet on that leg and continued his job as a medic and helped 3 or 4 other guys." And Kays did all this without the help of a weapon. Avgerinos says, "As a conscientious objector, Kenny didnt have a weapon. So he was very much defenseless and what he did that night was extremely selfless." Kays received a medal of honor for his bravery, but those who knew him say he never fully recovered from that night. A permanent memorial to Kays will serve as a reminder of the difference one person can make in the lives of others. Kays didnt live to see Satudays honor. He committed suicide in 1991. But many members of his extended family were able to attend the ceremony.