Friends & heroes known as ‘The Big 5′ celebrated in southeast Mo.

MARBLE HILL, Mo. (KFVS) - The VFW in Marble Hill celebrated five heroes on Sunday, October 12.

The small town is home to “The Big 5,” five veterans who graduated together, were drafted together and went through Army basic training together.

Even after living through hazardous times of war, all five members are still living.

Unfortunately, one member, David Mouser, couldn’t make it out on Sunday, but we sat down with the other four and one sums up what their story means.

In 1965, the United States was escalating its involvement in Vietnam. Like thousands of others, Obed Rhodes, Don Page, Dave Hastings and Larry Mayfield answered the call, starting their journey at Fort Leonard Wood.

From long marches to early mornings, those weeks forged a bond that lasted a lifetime, one built on grit