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On May 31, 1976 a Memorial Service and Dedication Ceremony "My Life - Your Freedom" was held at Morsches Park, Columbia City, dedicating a monument for Roy DeWitt Prater and the Men of Whitley County who died in Vietnam. On June 22, 1979, a Memorial and Dedication Ceremony was held at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio naming a new dormitory "PRATER HALL" in honor of TSgt Prater who made the "Supreme Sacrifice in the Defense of Freedom". On November 19, 1997 a Memorial Service for the crew of "Jolly Green 67", TSgt Prater's helicopter, was held at Arlington National Cemetery. The six crewmen were interred and remembered for giving their lives "That Others May Live." The entire Prater family attended all services.

DeWitt enjoyed sports, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

Surviving family members include one son, Dennis (Becky) Prater of Ft Wayne; two daughters Debbie (Bill) Vance and Pam (Ray) Deno of Columbia City; a brother Jack (Peg) Prater of Wapakoneta, Ohio; and six grandchildren, Jill Prater, Bradie Vance, Brooke Vance, Holly Deno, Amber Deno and Blake Deno.

Deceased family includes his father, Roy Prater, killed in WWII; mother, Louise Strickland; stepfather, Donald Strickland; and his wife JoAnn Prater.

Now, 38 years later, his mission will be complete as his remains have been positively identified by DNA and are being returned to the family cemetery in Columbia City, Indiana. The Prater family is having a Hero's Welcome Home ceremony to give their father the honor and respect he so richly deserves. Visitation will be 10:00am - 1:00pm. Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The committal service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Blue River Cemetery with Full Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
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© 2005 Columbia City High School Alumni Association     This page last modified 09/27/2006