Family of Vietnam veteran surprised with monument in Aurora

Two new memorials were dedicated on Saturday

(AURORA, Ind.) – Two new memorials were added to the military display at Lesko Park in Aurora on Saturday afternoon. 

The Vietnam veterans organization known as 'Larry D. Fogle Chapter 71' held a ceremony to unveil a new Battlefield Cross below the Huey Helicopter Memorial. 

Vietnam veteran and program organizer P.G. Gentrup began the ceremony by sharing the sacrifices made by Dearborn County natives Larry Fogle and Tommy Denning, who both were killed in Vietnam. 

Gentrup also recognized State Representative Garrett Bascom, Aurora Mayor Patrick Schwing, former Aurora mayors Donnie Hastings and Mark Drury, as well as others who were in attendance. 

The crowd then visited the new Battlefield Cross as it was unveiled.

Following the ceremony, there was a surprise announcement that another monument would be unveiled.

Gentrup asked the family of John Borgman to come to the front of the crowd.

Borgman was an Aurora native who served three tours in Vietnam. He led the last battalion-sized combat jump in Vietnam in 1968 with 500 men under his command.

John earned more than 30 medals during his service time and later returned home to Aurora where he served as an elected official for 28 years. He passed away at the age of 91 on November 29, 2023. 

On Saturday, Gentrup asked Borgman's grandsons to remove a tarp in front of the crowd.

It unveiled a brand new monument that honors Borgman's service to country and community.

Borgman's wife, Marianne, and his daughter, Christine Meek, were emotional and honored when they saw the monument for the first time.

We spoke with Christine moments after the monument was unveiled:

The last line of Borgman's monument reads:

In his later days, John was asked how he wanted to be remembered. He didn't hesitate when he said, "I took care of my men"