In the 50th year since it graduated from the former Francis C. Hammond High School, the Class of 1959 is holding a ceremony May 29 at 4 p.m. to remember classmate Robert J. Walters with the dedication of a bench in the schools courtyard. Walterss parents will be attending and John Murray, author of Fallen Warriors: West Points Class of 1964 will be speaking.
Walters lost his life in Vietnam on June 27, 1970.
While at Hammond, Walters was in the Varsity Club, the National Honor Society, the Science and Chess Clubs and Quill and Scroll and was on the track, cross-county and tennis teams.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, brother and two uncles, Walters attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated with the Class of 1964. During his tour in Vietnam he served as a combat engineer supporting an infantry brigade, specializing in demolition and mine-clearing missions, building fortifications and construction of the brigade base camp.
For his distinguished military service he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation, Army Commendation, Bronze Stars, Air Medals and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was following in the footsteps of Francis C. Hammond, the schools namesake, who received the Medal of Honor.