Round Lake high school graduate among Vietnam Veterans honored

More than 760 Vietnam veterans, including one from southwest Minnesota, was inducted into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) In Memory Program over the past weekend.

VVMF believes all those who served in the Vietnam War should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized.

VVMF hosted the 2026 In Memory ceremony Saturday on the East Knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where each 2026 honoree’s name was read aloud. 

Among the Vietnam Veterans recognized was Ned A. Jones, who graduated from Round Lake High School in 1967. After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis until he decided to voluntarily draft into the Army to enlist for the Vietnam War. He was in the Army, Infantry Division. Sgt. E5 was his rank when he got out.

Jones' medals include the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Heroism, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Two Overseas Bars and Expert M-16.

Jones passed away on Sept. 24, 2021. He was a member of the American Legion Post 461 for 50 years.