Reflections of our
VETERANS
SATuRdAy, NoVEmbER 10, 2018
r veteranS Page 2 | Saturday, reflectionS noveMber of our veteranS 10, 2018 | Saturday, november 10, 2018
man Communities shares lessons prepare learned to honor from those timewho in the served service on Veterans Day
was installed Wednesday. The ceremony will honor World War ii veteran ernest Benesh. Accordonal Guard veterans prepare to mark an- ing to a press release, Benesh, 92, esident Bill other year of service and sacrifice was born and raised in Freeborn er two years with ceremonies and events around county and enlisted in the Marine Albert Lea the community. corps. Army at the veterans of Foreign Wars Post Benesh and his cousins, who also 447 cmdr. Jim cummins said the served in World War ii, decided to chool at the group will lead a program in front establish a veterans’ memorial at he joined as of the Freeborn county courthouse the Bohemian National cemetery Sunday. cummins will give a wel- with names of veterans buried me through come, and the Albert Lea American there and to honor all who serve rds,” ChrisLegion Honor Guard will present their country, the press release said. ou can make the colors. After the flag is raised Fundraising from several d like much, and lowered, there will be a 21-gun Glenville organizations as well as at the time. salute, followed by Taps and the cer- a $10,000 grant from the Daughting drafted emony’s conclusion. ters of the American revolution n’t enlist in Additionally, Women veterans helped fund the memorial, which what we did.” of Freeborn county cmdr. Deanna was built in 2013. The metal silistees from Luedtke invited citizens and orga- houette of the iwo Jima flag-raisas put on a nizations to toll bells 21 times at ing was purchased using leftover Alabama in 11 a.m. Sunday. The bell-ringing memorial funds this year at the ding a short is nationwide as a reminder of the instigation of Dan Belshan. Kevin n Alabama, sacrifice and service of veterans. Neuzil of K&M Metal Designs inrnia, where Those who would like to cele- stalled the silhouette. Christenson spent time in Alabama, CaliFrom there, brate veterans Day near Myrtle The short ceremony at the Boheand headed Bill Christenson spent four years in the national Guard and Army. Christenson enlisted fornia, Japan and Korea during his time can attend the 4:30 p.m. ceremony mian National cemetery will be folthey spent in 1948 and returned home from duty in June of 1952. tyler JulSon/albert lea tribune in the service. Provided at the Bohemian National cem- lowed by a 5:30 p.m. veterans dinner Kevin Neuzil and Dan Belshan install the memorial silhouette of the flag-raising on Mount Iwo about what etery, where a silhouette of the at the Glenville American Legion, Jima Wednesday. The silhouette was installed in time for a ceremony Sunday recognizing a Korea. killed in action less than a month into injured and spent a majority of the rest Christenson said he has a lot of bad flag-raising at Mount iwo Jima at which Benesh will speak briefly. veteran who saw the first flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. Provided the hospital. atives was their stay in Korea and the other was of his service time in memories from his time in Korea, most notably the friends who were killed and the missions he sent people on that ended with them never making a return. However, he said he did have a few good memories, especially from his time spent in Alabama. By Sarah Kocher
sarah.kocher@albertleatribune.com
eNteR
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LooKinG BACK
LocaL soLdiErs sErving ThEir counTry By Linda Evenson
Freeborn County Historical Museum
Men and women have protected our country for many years through their military service. This area has provided military support since the Civil War. During that conflict, Francis “Frank” Hall served from 1862 to 1863. He was a member of Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Reg. and achieved the rank of major. On his return to Albert Lea, he worked in retail and banking. Frank Hall also served Albert Lea as its first mayor in 1878. The Albert Lea Light Guards were organized on May 4, 1882. The unit was Company E, Second Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard. Fifty-two men were mustered in. Their uniforms were identical to that of the United States Army, “but of finer material,” according to the “History of Freeborn County,” 1882 edition. Many Albert Lea area residents served in Company I, 12th Minnesota Vol. Infantry during the Spanish-American War. After training at Camp Ramsey in St. Paul, the 12th received orders to report to Camp George Thomas, Chickamauga National Park, Georgia. On May 16, 1898, the troops started their journey traveling by train. While passing through southern Minnesota, the regiment was cheered on at every town along the route. It was reported that at Albert Lea the men were served hot coffee, lunches and other gifts. Food was especially welcome since the official travel rations were only coffee, bread and canned meats. In 1920, Albert Lea’s new Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 447 selected
The Albert Lea Light Guard in 1882 gathered at the southwest corner of South Broadway and William Street. The commissioned officers of Company E were: Capt. George T. Gardner, 1st Lt. T. K. Ramsey and 2nd Lt. C.S. Robertson. See more photos on Page 4. PHoto CourteSy Freeborn County HiStoriCal MuSeuM
Freemond Madson as the name for the post. Freemond Madson, a private in Company K, 23rd Infantry, Second
T
hanks to our Veterans with your sacrifice as you have made our country a special place to live!
Division, was deployed to France on June 1, 1918. He served on two battle fronts, Sainte Mihiel and Meuse-Ar-
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gonne. He was killed by shellfire on Oct. 4, 1918, in the first offensive of the Meuse-Argonne, at Saint Etienne.
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Looking back
In 1918, Freemond Madson, a World War I soldier and Freeborn County native, died during a battle in France.
These young men left Albert Lea on Dec. 7, 1942, to join the armed forces. Among them were six Albert Lea High School boys. PhotoS courteSy freeborn county hiStorical muSeum
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505 W. Front St. | Albert Lea 507.377.8910
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People were encouraged to help a serviceman by giving them a ride. This shelter was on the corner of West Main Street and Euclid when Minnesota Highway 13 passed through Albert Lea.
Saturday, november 10, 2018 | Saturday, reflectionS november of our veteranS 10, 2018 | reflection Page 5
Almost 50 years Almost later, 50and years thelater, memories and the are memories still there are ofstill Vietnam there by Sarah kocher
sarah.kocher@albertleatribune.com
by Sarah kocher
sarah.kocher@albertleatribune.com
When Les Kalenze returnedWhen from Les Kalenze returned from Vietnam at age 22, he was planning Vietnam to at age 22, he was planning to go back to school. When he went gotoback pickto school. When he went to pick up his books, he said he waited upinhis line books, he said he waited in line for two hours. for two hours. He couldn’t do that again. He couldn’t do that again. “That’s what you do in the service,” “That’s what you do in the service,” During his time serving in Vietnam Duringinhis he said. And when he was headed he said. backAnd when he was headed back 1968-69, veteran Les Kalenze 1968-69, received ve to school, “It was back in lines. to And school, it “It was back in lines. And it two purple hearts and one bronze two star. purple was like, ‘Oh, God, I can’t take this was line.’” like, ‘Oh, God, I can’t take this line.’” Sarah Kocher/albert lea tribune Sarah Koche Kalenze returned to the U.S.Kalenze after returned to the U.S. after serving in Vietnam from November serving in Vietnam from November 1968 to August 1969. He was in 1968 school to August 1969. He was in school on deferment when he was drafted on deferment into when he was drafted into the Army. He served from January the Army. 1968 He served from January 1968 to October 1969. to October 1969. “They were taking just about anybody “They were taking just about anybody they could get,” Kalenze said. they could get,” Kalenze said. Full service includes: Initially, Kalenze served as artillery Initially, Kalenze served as artillery • Burial vaults support from fire bases, areas support from from fire bases, areas from • Grave Markers which artillery specialists would which supply artillery specialists would supply • Flowers/Wreaths fire support as requested by infantryfire support as requested by infantryPerpetual Lesawarded Kalenze,his middle posesLes for Kalenze, a photo near middle theleft, beach poses during for ahis photo timenear in the the beach during his•time in theCare men. He was awarded his firstmen. purple He was first left, purple Vietnam. Provided heart in May after his artillery heart unit was in MayArmy afterinhis artillery unit was Army in Vietnam. Provided overrun by a late-night attack.overrun by a late-night attack. Two days after he returned from Twothe days after he returned from theEast Grand retired,from Kalenze his wife hemoved retired, Kalenze and his wife moved Kalenze, originally from Kalenze, he originally Eastand Grand CEMETERY ASSOCIATION to Albert LeaDakota to be closer to Albert son, Lea to be closer to their son, hospital, his unit was overrun hospital, again. his Forks, unit returned was overrun to North again. Dakota Forks, weighreturned to North weigh-to their Hwy 65 South, Albert Lea who lives in That, Kalenze said, is when he lost That, many Kalenze ingsaid, about is 120 when pounds. he lostHe many said heing spent about a 120 pounds. HeNew said Brighton. he spent a who lives in New Brighton. 373-3560 He still thinkshome aboutbeing Vietnam. He still thinks about Vietnam. of his friends. of his friends. month in a Fargo veterans home month being in a Fargo veterans “I couldn’t take it on the fire bases,” “I couldn’t take itfor onthe themalaria fire bases,” treated he acquired treatedinfor the “It’s malaria there,”heheacquired said. “I in can’t explain “It’s there,” he said. “I can’t explain he said. he said. Vietnam and still hadn’t kicked. Vietnam and what stillit’s hadn’t like,kicked. but it’s there.” what it’s like, but it’s there.” Instead, he went out as a forward Instead, ob- he “I went asaamess,” forward wasout just heobsaid. “I was just It a mess,” was there he said. even more starting It2was 1/2 there even more starting 2 1/2 was out in timeIttowas be turned He away was out years in time ago,to after be turned Kalenze away retired. years Fortyago, after Kalenze retired. Fortyserver for an infantry division.server It was for a an He infantry division. a lot of walking in the Vietnameselot jungle, of walking from in the participating Vietnamesein jungle, a free veterans from participating nine yearsinafter a free serving, veterans Kalenzenine saidyears his after serving, Kalenze said his Kalenze said, but on the fire base, Kalenze he said, dinner. but on the fire base, he dinner. flashbacks — which he said he’s had flashbacks since — which he said he’s had since your service “‘That’s not a real war,’” he said“‘That’s other not real war,’” he said other —he never knew when he would get never fired on. knew when he would get fired on. he areturned from Vietnam started returned from Vietnamfor — started vets told him time. at themore time.frequently. He has With the infantry, you had a better Withidea the infantry, you hadatathe better idea vets told him coming coming begunmore frequently. He has begun “I don’t don’t a know what care you want to call a receiving care for them. when something was going on.when something was know going what on. you want to“Icall receiving for them. “That wasn’t too bad,” he said. “That wasn’t bad,” he said. real too war,” Kalenze said. But people realknew war,” Kalenze He wasn’t said. But interested people knew in serving He wasn’t in interested in serving in Kalenze returned home after being Kalenze in- returned what to call home him: after “baby being killer.” in- He what knew to callthe him: military “baby killer.” beforeHe he knew was drafted, the military but before he was drafted, but jured and having a second purple jured heart and having it wasn’t a second personal, purple he said heart — but it wasn’t it was personal, Kalenzehe said said he— but is proud it was to be a Kalenze veteran.said he is proud to be a veteran. personal. pinned to his hospital bed. He went pinned forto his hospital bed. He went for personal. But two purple hearts and one bronze But two purple hearts and one bronze surgery in Japan, he said, and they surgery heldin Japan, Instead he said, of school, and they Kalenze held entered Instead the ofstar school, later, Kalenze he isn’tentered comfortable the star withlater, the he isn’t comfortable with the (507) 373-3039 (5 FIND US ON FIND US ON “hero.” him there until October, when him it was there until construction October,industry. when itHe was moved construction from word industry. He moved from word “hero.” 2201 Stevens Street FACEBOOK FACEBOOK Albert Lea, 10 MNtimes 56007 A Grand Forks whereGrand he said Forks “I to Nevada, he said time for him to ship back to thetime United for him to ship backtotoNevada, the United know of where guys that were 10 “I times know of guys that were VillageCooperative.com Villa States. States. he worked for the Imperial Palace. he worked After for more the aImperial hero,” he Palace. said. After more a hero,” he said.
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Remembering those Remembering who have served those ourwho country. have served our country.
Thank you, Veterans Serving the area for 79Serving years. the area for 79 years. Committed to serving your family with Committed dignity toandserving your family with dignity and compassion at the lowest possible costcompassion since 1939.atOur the lowest possible cost since 1939. Our funeral home is owned by the families wefuneral serve and home weisare owned by the families we serve and we are proudare to say thatbyall decisions in our operation are made by proud to say that all decisions in our operation made and all profits are kept within our community. local people and all profits are kept withinlocal our people community.
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esAlbert prepare Lea toman honor shares thoselessons who served learned on Veterans from time Day in the service
By Tyler Julson was installed Wednesday. The tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com ceremony will honor World War ii veteran ernest Benesh. AccordAfter enlisting in the National Guard rk an- ing to a press release, Benesh, 92, in 1948, lifelong Albert Lea resident Bill crifice was born and raised in Freeborn Christenson spent a little over two years around county and enlisted in the Marine training at the old armory in Albert Lea corps. before being called to the Army at the s Post Benesh and his cousins, who also start of the Korean War. aid the served in World War ii, decided to Joining fresh out of high school at the n front establish a veterans’ memorial at age of 18, Christenson said he joined as thouse the Bohemian National cemetery a way to earn money. a wel- with names of veterans buried “There was a guy that came through erican there and to honor all who serve that was in one of the guards,” Chrisresent their country, the press release said. tensen said. “He said ‘God, you can make raised Fundraising from several $5-10 a night.’ It doesn’t sound like much, 21-gun Glenville organizations as well as but it meant quite a bit to us at the time. he cer- a $10,000 grant from the DaughWe would have ended up getting drafted ters of the American revolution in time for the war if we didn’t enlist in terans helped fund the memorial, which something like this, so that’s what we did.” eanna was built in 2013. The metal silAlong with two other enlistees from d orga- houette of the iwo Jima flag-raisAlbert Lea, Christenson was put on a mes at ing was purchased using leftover train to a camp in southeast Alabama in inging memorial funds this year at the January of 1951. After spending a short of the instigation of Dan Belshan. Kevin time training new recruits in Alabama, erans. Neuzil of K&M Metal Designs inthe trio was sent to California, where o cele- stalled the silhouette. Christenson spent time in Alabama, Calithey spent about two weeks. From there, Myrtle The short ceremony at the Bohethey loaded on troop ships and headed Bill Christenson spent four years in the national Guard and Army. Christenson enlisted fornia, Japan and Korea during his time emony mian National cemetery will be fol- in 1948 and returned home from duty in June of 1952. tyler JulSon/albert lea tribune in the service. Provided to Yokohama, Japan, where they spent cem- lowed by a 5:30 p.m. veterans dinner Kevin Neuzil and Dan Belshan install the memorial silhouette of the flag-raising on Mount Iwo another two weeks learning about what of the at the Glenville American Legion, Jima Wednesday. The silhouette was installed in time for a ceremony Sunday recognizing a they should expect while in Korea. killed in action less than a month into injured and spent a majority of the rest Christenson said he has a lot of bad Jima at which Benesh will speak briefly. veteran who saw the first flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. Provided One of the Albert Lea natives was their stay in Korea and the other was of his service time in the hospital. memories from his time in Korea, most notably the friends who were killed and the missions he sent people on that ended with them never making a return. However, he said he did have a few good memories, especially from his time spent in Alabama.
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Service Continued from Front Page
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LocaL soLdiErs sErving ThEir co
“We were working an infiltration course in Alabama,” christenson said. “We had to train the new guys on how to infiltrate on their knees and go a certain distance By Linda Evenson Freeborn under fire. We really had a good time keep-County Historical Museum ing their attention. A lot of times in the classroom recruits will doze off, but we getand women have protected our Men outside and they hear those machine guns for many years through their country bark, their eyes sure stayed openmilitary then.” service. This area has provided After returning to the states military in June support since the Civil War. 1952, christenson got married and even- that conflict, Francis “Frank” During tually had four children. He worked a Hallasserved from 1862 to 1863. He was a member of Company C, of the Fifth Minnesota Reg. and achieved the rank Thank You Veterans! of major. On his return to Albert Lea, he worked in retail and banking. Frank Hall also served Albert Lea as its first mayor in 1878. The Albert Lea Light Guards were organized on May 4, 1882. The unit was Company E, Second Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard. Fifty-two men were mustered in. Their uniforms were identical to that of the United States — Bill Christenson Army, “but of finer material,” accordingnine to the “History of Freeborn County,” railroad maintenance foreman for edition. years before the railroad started1882 cutting 2210 East Main St. • Albert Lea, MN 56007 • (507) 373-2461 Many back on their help. He then worked at Albert Lea area residents 308 7th Avenue • Ellendale, MN 56026 • (507) 684-2881 served in Company I, 12th Minne217 West Division St. • New Richland, MN 56072 • (507) 465-8015 his uncle’s bar for four years until a barwww.BonnerupFuneralService.com sota Vol. Infantry during the Spantender spot at the Albert Lea American ish-American War. After training at Legion opened up. He said he worked as CampatRamsey in St. Paul, the 12th everything from janitor to manager received the Legion, and he still tries to stay active orders to report to Camp as a coordinator of the Honor Guard. George Thomas, Chickamauga Nachristenson said there have been tional Park, Georgia. On May 16, 1898, many changes in the military since he started their journey travelthe troops has been involved, but he would ing still by en-train. While passing through courage any high-schooler to join and Minnesota, the regiment was southern reap the benefits. cheered on at every town along the “They should think very seriously route. It was reported that at Albert about going to the military,” he said. Lea the men were served hot coffee, The Albert Lea Light Guard in 1882 gathered at the southwest corner of South Broadway and Will FOR YOUR SERVICE “You can get a complete collegelunches educa- and other gifts. Food was officers of Company E were: Capt. George T. Gardner, 1st Lt. T. K. Ramsey and 2nd Lt. C.S. Robertso tion. There’s a lot of benefits that come especially welcome since the official PHoto CourteSy Freeborn County HiStoriCal MuSeuM along with it, but of course you’retravel givingrations were only coffee, bread up quite a bit too. it depends on the andsitucanned meats. Freemond Madson as the name for Division, was deployed to France on gonne. H ation, but i think it’s a good thing In for1920, a Albert Lea’s new Veterans the post. Freemond Madson, a private June 1, 1918. He served on two battle Oct. 4, 19 young man or young woman to join the Upon his return to the U.S., Christenson got married and had four kids. He worked of Foreign Post 447 selected fronts, Sainte Mihiel and Meuse-Ar- the Meuse Company K, 23rd onWars the railroad, at his uncle’s barinand at the Albert LeaInfantry, American Second Legion. Provided military today.” Albert Lea, MN | 800-642-9662 | www.mrsgerrys.com
It depends on the situation, but I think it’s a good thing for a young man or young woman to join the military today.”
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‘If I can change one person’s life for the better, I’ve succeeded’ Sheriff’S Office Sgt. SayS he enjOyS the camaraderie Of Serving in military By Sam Wilmes
sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com
Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Keith Bolinger’s nearly 20-year civilian law enforcement career is a continuation of the active-duty military service he undertook that led him to multiple countries. A 1994 Albert Lea High School graduate, Bolinger, 42, entered active duty Air Force nearly immediately after high school graduation, beginning six weeks of basic training two weeks after high school ended. While in San Antonio, Bolinger attended security police technical school, the Air Force equivalent of the military police. As part of the training, Bolinger traveled to New Jersey to attend the Armytaught air base ground defense school before transitioning to his permanent duty position at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, where he served from November 1994 until July 1998. While in North Dakota, Bolinger worked law enforcement security, with his primary duty providing on-site security for the 150 geographically separated nuclear Minuteman III missiles. “It was very interesting just to be around that type of stuff,” Bolinger said. While on active duty, Bolinger deployed to Saudi Arabia as a security forces member for three months in summer 1995, providing law enforcement and security for the Air Force at Riyadh Air Base and Eskan Village. In January 1996, he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a couple months to help secure Cuban and Haitian refugees — mainly families with children, but some high-risk offenders — who were stopped before entering the U.S. Following active duty service, Bolinger began his civilian career in law enforcement as a police officer in Forest City, Iowa, where he worked from 1999 to 2008. “I really enjoyed Forest City,” Bolinger said. “I learned a lot. I had a lot of good mentors.” Eight years after leaving active-duty service, Bolinger realized he missed the camaraderie the military afforded and decided to speak with a recruiter after talking with a co-worker who was a member of the Iowa Air National Guard in Des Moines.
Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Keith Bolinger said he hopes to change the lives of people he interacts with in his position. Sam WilmeS/albert lea tribune
“I went and talked to the recruiter, and next thing I knew, I started doing drills with the Iowa Air National Guard,” Bolinger said. He spent less than one year with the Iowa Air National Guard before transferring to the Minnesota Air National Guard in St. Paul. Bolinger is a non-commissioned officer in charge of training guard members. He attends once-a-month trainings in St. Paul with the 133rd Airlift Wing and goes to two-week annual trainings. Bolinger deployed to Iraq from 201011, serving in security and law enforcement areas. He also assisted in providing security last year for St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria. He said he enjoys the connection he has with the others in the military. “It’s the camaraderie,” he said. “You gain a certain connection with individuals in that situation or under those circumstances that you’ll never gain with anybody else, through my experience anyway. These individuals that I was
active duty with I still have contact with today. And we talk. They’re spread around the country, but we still try to get in contact with them. “It’s a brotherhood, a sisterhood, and the bond that you get with these folks is completely different than what I’ve ever experienced.” Bolinger accepted a patrol deputy position at the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 and was promoted to patrol sergeant in 2012. In his position, he helps lead the day-to-day operations of patrol deputies and is their first-line supervisor. He is in charge of the Sheriff’s Office water patrol, ATV and snowmobile units and leads annual use-of-force training to patrol staff. Bolinger noted he was drawn to serve in the military based on his family history. His grandfather was in the Army Air Corps at the end of World War II, and his father is a Vietnam War-era Army vet. His uncle also served in the Army. He noted how proud his veteran family members are for having served.
“It was family tradition, and I knew at a very young age that I wanted to follow in my dad’s and my grandpa’s footsteps to go into the military,” he said. Bolinger said he served in a law enforcement-related field during active-duty service in anticipation of his civilian law enforcement career. He later obtained a degree from North Iowa Area Community College using the GI bill. “The military provided me with good training, experience, and I was able to start taking college courses while I was active duty,” he said. “In my mind, I was getting the best of both worlds. I was getting an education plus training and experience, real-world training and experience that I could later apply to civilian law enforcement when I got out of active duty.” As a civilian law enforcement officer, Bolinger said he measures his success by the differences he makes in the lives of others. “If I can change one person’s life for the better, I’ve succeeded,” he said.