KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasPreserving a Las Vegas Vietnam Memorial

Preserving a Las Vegas Vietnam Memorial

How do we honor soldiers who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom? Perhaps there is no more relevant question as more and more Nevadans give their lives in Iraq.

Tributes to past conflicts can be found in our community but like our disposable history it seems they too have a shelf life.

A monument to a missing soldier stands in front of a building known for its less than savory clientele. An olive tree on the grounds of probation and parole was built in the 1950's. However, the crumbling facility is slated for demolition with its landscape including the tree right along with it.

The Campos Building at 215 East Bonanza headquarters for the state division of parole and probation. Dedicated in 1954 it once served as the governor's southern Nevada office. Today those who use it say it's simply served its purpose.

Department of Public Safety Director George Togliatti said. "Its time has come and fortunately we were able to get funding planned to level this building and put up a new one."

No one it seems will mourn the loss of the crumbling the facility but out front a symbol of peace has stood the test of time.

"It's my son's, in my son's memory and the memory of all POW and MIAs in Nevada," said Bill Skivington Sr., the POW's father. Skivington remembers the crisp fall day 34 years ago, when then Governor Mike O'Callahan planted this olive tree in honor of his son.

"For the first few years, every Christmas Eve I would come down late at night and put an ornament on the tree," Skivington said. "A blue ornament that said silent night on it. At that time, we still thought he'd walk in the door anytime."

For Bill the tree stands as a living symbol of his son, whose status remains MIA, presumed dead. The plaque at its trunk identifies it as a freedom tree, one of 50 planted in honor of Nevada's soldiers. No one knows how many remain.

Plans for the new Campos Building put the four story offices on top of the tree. Fearing its loss, a probation officer began a quiet campaign to save it. He enlisted his own chain of command.

Maj. Kevin Tice of Parole and Probation said, "Our intent is to (cut) recognize the tree for what it was intended through Gov. O’Callahan and his recognition."

"So a guy gives up his life," Hoe said. "A governor does this extraordinary thing to honor this soldier and his family who gave up his life and it's time to move on? So let's end our tribute to the Skivington family? Nah."

To save the tree, Hoe first had to see it. From his home in Honolulu he flew to Las Vegas carrying his own symbol of skip, their battalion's battle flag.

"It was always our sense that we would maintain and honor this flag, so this flag would be present when skip and the other guys are brought home."

Shaded by a symbol of peace, three war heroes share their stories of sacrifice. And pledge to ensure Private Skivington's is not forgotten.

"That tree represents the price of freedom if you will and if that doesn't mean anything to the people that run our government, than God help us all," Hoe said.

Director Togliatti has pledged to find the money, the manpower or both to relocate the tree to the new highway patrol building at 215 and Decatur. It simply can't stay where it is and the new Campos facility is too big. Moving it will be no small feat and it's expensive.

The family hopes the community will get involved. Private Skivington's personal effects along with some remains have recently been recovered in Vietnam.

The family is hopeful they'll produce a positive identification. Bill Skivington has lost all three of his sons and prays he will live to see skip buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Click here to email investigative reporter Colleen McCarty