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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
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WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
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Memorial Day programs planned in communities across North Woods Men and women who died in military action for their country will be remembered during Memorial Day services Monday, May 27, in communities across the North Woods. Veterans, area residents, government officials and North Woods visitors are welcome to attend all the ceremonies. Veterans organizations in Eagle River, Three Lakes, Land O’ Lakes, St. Germain, Phelps and Rhinelander have provided the following details of Memorial Day weekend programs. St. Germain’s program will be Sunday, May 26. Eagle River The Eagle River Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (front grounds of the Vilas County Courthouse) in Eagle River. Ceremony participants are asked to assemble at 10:45 a.m. at the park. The program will be held rain or shine. The program will open with the Northland Pines High School band performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the 8th Wisconsin Artillery canon salute. The Rev. Jim Fosdick will lead the opening prayer. The master of ceremonies will be Merton Jensen, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8637 in Eagle River. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Michael Biszak will be the guest speaker. Other highlights will include bagpipe music by Tom McKale of the Emerald Society of Wisconsin and the Greater Milwaukee Fire/Police Pipes and Drums, area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts offering poppies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, another canon salute. There will be performances by the Northland Pines High School band and choir. The ceremony will close with the benediction from Rev. Fosdick, a rifle salute by VFW Post 8637, the playing of taps, a cannon salute and the choir singing “God Bless America.” McKale will conclude the program with a bagpipe solo. Three Lakes Memorial Day in Three Lakes will be observed Monday, May 27. The program will start at 10 a.m. with a solemn procession from the Three Lakes Winery down Superior Street to the Three Lakes Cemetery. The procession will include the American Legion Color Guard and Firing Squad, the Legion Auxiliary, the Three Lakes Lions Club and the Three Lakes High School band. A riderless horse will honor the fallen during the parade. The ceremony at the cemetery will honor those who have served and given their life for this country. The Three Lakes
Communities across the North Woods will have Memorial Day services Monday, May 27, honoring those men and women who died in
High School Badger Boy and Badger Girls will speak. The guest speaker is Lt. Col. John Forino, who is on active duty at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. The program will conclude with the national flags at the cemetery and Cy Williams Park raised to full staff. The public is urged to attend. In the event of bad weather, the program will be held in the Three Lakes School gymnasium at 10 a.m. For information about the program , contact the American Legion at (715) 546-3431 or Mike Silber at (715) 546-3077. Land O’ Lakes There will be a Memorial Day service at the Land O’ Lakes cemetery Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m., with a light sandwich lunch to follow at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8400.
military action for their country. St. Germain will have its service Sunday, May. 26. —NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO
St. Germain St. Germain will have its Memorial Day ceremony Sunday, May 26, at 1p.m. at the War Memorial near the intersection of highways 70 and 55. The St. Germain Lions Club, which donates new flags each year for the memorial, will replace the U.S. flag, five service flags and the Missing In Action flag. Veterans of each military branch will raise the flag for their respective service. Phelps There will be a Memorial Day service in Phelps Monday, May 27, but the time had not been determined at press time of this special section. For updated information, contact the Phelps Chamber of Commerce at (715) 545-3800. Rhinelander The Oneida County Veterans Council will
host a Memorial Day service Monday, May 27. Beginning at 10:30 a.m., a river ceremony will be held at the Davenport Street bridge, where a wreath will be lowered into the water in honor of those who were lost or buried at sea. Guests can view the ceremony from Trig’s parking lot. Upon completion, participants and guests will march and walk to the Oneida County Courthouse, where the final Memorial Day ceremony will begin at approximately 11 a.m. Guests can take a lawn chair. For more information about the ceremonies, contact the Oneida County Veterans Service office at (715) 369-6127. The Oneida County Veterans Council includes members of the American Legion, American Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Brooks M. Maines
Tyler Turpin
Staff Sgt. Brooks M. Maines is a 1992 graduate of Northland Pines High School. He graduated from One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Ky., January of 1993. He was a cavalry scout from 1992-’95. While on active duty, he was stationed in Buedingen, Germany. Maines currently serves in the U.S. Army as a psychological operations team chief and has done multiple deployments to Afghanistan. He is currently a member of the 319th Tactical PSYOP Company. Maines is married to Holli Maines of Minneapolis, Minn., where they currently live. His parents are Will and Barb Maines of Sayner. His sister, Ericka, is married to Scott Vandenheuvel and they live in Mukwonago. Vandenheuvel also served in the U.S. Navy. Maines’ 90-year-old grandfather, Bill Maines, served in the Army Air Corps as second lieutenant in 1944-’45. His great-grandfather, Arthur Maines, was a private in the Army Infantry in World War I.
Lt. j.g. Tyler A.C. Turpin, submarine warfare officer, USS Rhode Island SSBN 740, is currently stationed in Kingsland, Ga. Turpin is a 2006 graduate of Phelps High School and a 2010 graduate of UW-Madison with a degree in nuclear engineering. His military training includes Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island, graduating in April 2011; Nuclear Power School, S.C., graduating in November 2011; and Nuclear Power Training Unit Prototype Ballston Spa, New York, graduating in November 2012. When he’s not out on patrol, Turpin attends schools of engineering, stragetic weapons andnavigation, during which time he works with weapons launch and nuclear reactor casualty control simulators. His parents are Joy and Joe Turpin of Eagle River, his brother and sister-in-law are Donald Matthew and April Rose Crass of Phelps, and he is engaged to Katie Jeanette Nagel of Madison.
Michael T. Eicher
Justin Schmidt
PFC Michael Eicher is a 2012 graduate of Northland Pines High School. He graduated recruit training on Jan. 4, 2013, at MCRD San Diego, Calif. Michael then completed Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is currently stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., awaiting his MOS training as engineer, heavy equipment operator. His parents are James and Deborah Eicher of Eagle River, and he is brother to Daniel and Joel. Michael is following in the footsteps of friends and family who have served and are serving in our military. “For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Ps 91:11
Justin Schmidt is a 2007 graduate of Northland Pines High School. He completed boot camp at Cape May, N.J., in November of 2007. He was first stationed in Charleston, S.C., on the USCG cutter Dallas. He then went to Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team in San Francisco Bay. Upon completing his promotion to petty officer, second class, he volunteered for his current assignment to Operation Enduring Freedom, where he works out of Manama, Bahrain, assigned to the Navy aboard the 110-foot cutter Baranof. Upon completion of the one-year deployment, he will return to San Francisco to serve aboard the newest high-endurance cutter, the 420-foot Stratton. His parents are Tammy and Gary Schmidt of Sayner. His sister is Danelle Moran of St. Germain. Schmidt’s grandfather served in the USCG during World War II, participating in 12 combat landing missions. His sister served five years in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and spent two combat tours in the Persian Gulf supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Schmidt’s uncle, Glenn Steiner of St. Germain, also served the USCG during World War II.
Lacey Spiess
Anthony Allen Gifford
Lacey Spiess, a 2006 graduate of Northland Pines High School, joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard June 23, 2005. She graduated from Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., in October 2006 and graduated from Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Bliss, Texas, in December 2006. Lacey went active duty in April 2007 and was stationed in Germany. She deployed to Iraq in October 2007 for 15 months as a gunner. In April of 2007, she was stationed at Ft. Eustis, Va., with the 169th SOC. She deployed again to Iraq in November 2009 for 12 months and deployed to Afghanistan in December 2011 to October 2012. Awards include multiple Army commendations and achievements, combat action, global war on terrorism, expeditionary, drivering, pt. and markmanship. She is currently stationed in Hawaii. She is the daughter of John and Jackie Spiess of Eagle River.
Anthony graduated from Phelps High School in 2007. He graduated from Great Lakes Academy on Jan. 18, 2013. His rank is Airman and he is currently stationed in Jacksonville, Fla. His parents are Jerry and Sharon Gifford of Phelps. He has two brothers and five sisters, and five nephews and four nieces. His grandfather, Orville Marks, served in the U.S. Navy on the Abnaki during World War II. His uncle, Winston Gifford, served in the U.S. Army. His brother-inlaw, Mark Doubek, also served in the U.S. Navy.
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
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Bond continues between soldiers Vold reunites with Vietnam War buddies after 45 years ___________ BY SONIA DIONNE SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
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Marble Mountain is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills near Da Nang in Vietnam. The United States constructed an aviation facility in this area used mainly by the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. It was primarily a helicopter facility. Gary Vold, now 67, from Conover, was assigned to work there. Raised in Phelps, Vold moved to Milwaukee as a teenager where he and his cousin, Kenny, worked in a factory. That is when Vold received a notice giving him the option of being drafted into the Army or to join the Marines. He chose the Marines. Trained in San Diego, Vold, like all others in boot camp, realized that orders must be obeyed and that if there was any hesitation, it may cost someone his life. “That’s what they needed to drill into us — respect and discipline,” he said. From boot camp, Vold received infantry training, and then went home on leave for 30 days before being shipped overseas as part of the 3rd Marine Division located near Marble Mountain in Vietnam. As part of the helicopter squadron for 13 months in 1965 and 1966, he operated pumps to fuel helicopters. Defending the vehicles as a door gunner was also his re-
sponsibility. “We were supposed to rotate out in 13 months, but you could re-enlist for another six months then get an early out when you returned. My cousin Kenny did that, but a week before he was to rotate back, he stepped on a Bouncing Betty which killed him during a patrol,” Vold agonized. Agent Orange, used as a defoliant in Vietnam, caused various health issues for veterans. The chemical was used to clear areas of foliage when fuel dumps were built. “They tested the chemicals on dogs and it didn’t harm them so they didn’t think the dioxin would hurt humans. We were directly underneath the spray. Within 48 hours, all the plants were dead,” Vold recalled. “I have some health issues now, so must travel to the Iron Mountain Vets Hospital periodically for tests.” Following his discharge from the Marines, Vold discovered that adapting to civilian life was difficult. He had difficulty sleeping and often slept with his eyes wide open. Soldiers returning from war have not always returned to a grateful country. During and following the Vietnam War, many Americans criticized the troops.
Gary Vold, right, and his military buddy, Art, sit on a 10,000-gallon fuel tank used to fuel the Mag 16 helicopters in Vietnam. —Contributed Photos
Gary Vold, right, and Art were buddies during the Vietnam War. After almost 50 years, they get together a couple of times per year. Another military friend, Tom, also joins them.
“Over there, we did what we were told and what was expected. We did what we thought was best for our country,” he said. “The most difficult part was that when we came back to the states, nobody wanted us. People would ask if we were in the service, but we never mentioned that it was the Vietnam War. When we sailed home, people were protesting as we disembarked in San Diego.” Armed guards protected the troops as they got off the ship Vold recalled. “It’s still difficult. I think people who protested then now realize what they did to the Vietnam vets and are trying to make it up to them 47 years later,” he added. Vold married his girlfriend, Nancy, moved from Milwaukee to the farm owned originally by Nancy’s grandparents in Conover, and then opened Northern Carpets in Land O’ Lakes. It was in this job that he met Gen. Joseph J. McCarthy. “I was installing flooring in a house on North Twin Lake in Phelps; he asked in which branch of the military I served and I told him I was a Marine. He jerked me up and sat me down to talk,” said Vold. “His license plate identified him as a
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Everything in his house was Marine Corps. He showed me his battle scars, from the Battle of the Bulge to Iwo Jima. Eventually, we became great friends. McCarthy was the highest ranking officer in all branches of the military,” Vold acknowledged. Through it all, a special bond develops between soldiers during wartime. They depend upon each other. A few years ago, Vold received a call from a man named Art in Kentucky who wondered if he was in the Marine Corp serving on Marble Mountain in Vietnam. Vold laughed, “I almost fell over! Fortyfive years later, we are in touch! Another buddy, Tom, who lives in the Fox Valley, also served in the same area. So for the past couple years, the three of us have gotten together.” When the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall toured Wisconsin and came to Eagle River last July, Vold and his Vietnam buddies rehashed old memories when together they visited the wall on the Fourth of July — a memorial that stood as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War.
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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Thomas Hurtado
Matthew Tidmarsh
Thomas Hurtado was first stationed at Great Lakes and is currently stationed at Marine Corps Base in Hawaii. He served with a medical trauma unit tending to wounded warriors while in Afghanistan from 2011-’12. He received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Thomas is currently a lieutenant and a physican assistant in the U.S. Navy. His family has a strong tradition of military service. His grandfather, Thomas A. Thiele, served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy and his uncle, Arturo Thiele-Sardina, is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army. He and his wife, Jenny (née Sobecke) are expecting their first child June of 2013. Jenny’s parents own a home in Eagle River.
Cpl. Matthew Tidmarsh, U.S. Marine, graduated from Notre Dame Prep, Scottsdale, Ariz., June 2008, and attended NAU in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, Ariz., and is presently enrolled online at Grand Canyon University.
Chelsea M. Habermaas
Nicholas P. Wagner
1st Lt. Chelsea M. Habermaas (née Bishop) graduated from Northland Pines High School in 2004. She received her bachelor of science degree from UW-Milwaukee in December 2008. Habermaas joined the U.S. Army as an officer candidate. She received her commission from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga., March 24, 2011. She moved with her husband, Eric, to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where she attended Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course. They were assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion at Fort Riley, Kan., where Chelsea was a platoon leader. On Sept. 15, 2012, the 1st EN BN deployed to Afghanistan for a nine-month deployment. Chelsea’s platoon leader time ended in November 2012, and she moved into her current position as the executive officer of HHC. The 1st EN BN will redeploy to Fort Riley in early June 2013. Chelsea will remain with the unit until she is promoted to Captain in September 2014.
Nicholas P. Wagner completed his basic training at Great Lakes, graduating Sept. 24, 2011. He received the distinction of being chosen for the position of Recruit Petty Officer of his division. Wagner then was transferred to the Navel Nuclear Power Training Facility at Goose Creek, S.C. He began the Nuclear Field “A” School in November 2011 and completed the school in January 2012. His next school, Nuclear Power School, started in April 2012. He graduated with honors in September 2012 and was chosen to be the class leader in both schools. In October 2012, he was transferred to the Nuclear Prototype Training Unit in Ballston Spa, N.Y., graduating second in his class in March 2013. Again, he was chosen class leader. Wagner’s rank is Nuclear Machinist Mate, 3rd Class. Currently, he is a staff instructor at the Nuclear Prototype Training Unit. Wagner is the son of Vince and Linda Wagner of Eagle River.
Matthew Justice
Craig & Julie Frydrych
Matthew Justice joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in April 2003. He attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was assigned to the 951st Sapper Company in Rhinelander. In 2008, Justice’s unit was deployed to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. While there, the combat engineers of the 951st Sapper Company operated as a route clearance package. Their mission was to find and eliminate improvised explosives devices (IEDs). Spc. Justice worked in many capacities during his overseas deployment. He was an MRAP driver and a .50-caliber gunner, spending a great deal of time on dismounted operations. This allowed him to work closely with the Afghan National Army, Foreign Militaries of the International Security Assistance Force and local nationals. Justice’s service also allowed him to attend UW-Madison, receiving a bachelor of business administration degree, majoring in finance, investment and banking. He attributes his military and personal success to his parents, David and Connie Justice, of Eagle River and other family and friends.
He joined the Marines in January 2011, and is stationed at Camp Pendleton, San Diego, Calif. He was deployed to Afghanistan June to December 2012, and is in communications. He has been recognized as an expert rifleman. Matthew is engaged to Jessica Snyder of Utah, and is the son of Jan and Dave Tidmarsh, Eagle River.
Craig S. and Julie L. Frydrych are currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, with the rank of Master Sergeant. Craig is a Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Mechanic and Julie is a Supply Material Management Craftsman. They are stationed at Scott AFB, Ill., with previous assignments in Germany (twice) and New Mexico. Craig has been deployed to Bahrain, Afghanistan and Kuwait/Iraq. Julie has been deployed to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korean and Iraq. Craig is carrying on a family tradition of military service along with his father, Stanley Frydrych (U.S. Army) of Armstrong Creek, Wis.; grandfather, Stanley Renkas (U.S. Army) of Goodman, Wis.; and cousins, Mark Giebudowski (U.S. Marines) and Lance Corp. Matthew Giebudowski (currently in U.S. Marines) of Eagle River, Wis.
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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
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Anderson learned about life, people while serving in Guard and Reserves ___________ BY WALLY GEIST SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
___________
Marv Anderson of St. Germain has has been a teacher, worked in the business world and run in marathons, but says he probably learned the most about life and people while serving his country. Anderson spent 18 years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard and another seven years in the Army Reserve. Holding a two-year degree in architectural engineering and wanting to pursue additional college education, Anderson joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1965 during the height of the Vietnam War. “I was an architectural draftsman in Madison and joined a Wisconsin Army National Guard transportation unit of the 32nd Brigade,” said Anderson. “I was trained as a light vehicle driver initially and later worked as a medical specialist, similar to an EMT or paramedic in the civilian world.” As a medical specialist, he trained alongside his comrades under realistic field conditions with live fire drills and mock rescues of the wounded. When Anderson moved to Stevens Point, he attended college and transferred to the Wisconsin National Guard Armor Battalion, Wausau. He was able to complete courses at UW-Stevens Point for a bachelor of science in biology, general science and physical education. After receiving his degree, he taught in Rib Lake in north central Wisconsin and continued to serve his country. “The tank battalion encompasses tanks, artillery, small arms and heli-
MARV ANDERSON
copters. We had field operations training to teach us what a soldier would typically engage in,” said Anderson. “Along with things like land navigation and map reading, we engaged in medical practice such as triage of patients, how to handle patients, doing evacuations on the ground and with helicopters. Guard battalions are completely self-sufficient with medical, quartermasters and other services necessary to achieve their missions.” While in the Guard, Anderson’s unit was called to state active duty at least three times. “During the late ’60s and early ’70s, there were a lot of peace and anti-war protests going on around the country,” he said. “My unit was called up and we served several weeks in Madison, quelling student protests and activist riots.” Another state call up came in 1975 when a tribe of Native Americans just outside of Shawano illegally took over a Roman Catholic Novitiate. “It was tense with a small amount of shooting going on which disrupted the community and the countryside around Shawano,” said Anderson. His unit also was called up when the state employees went on strike. “So my unit ran the medical dispensary at the Oshkosh Penitentiary,” he said. Things changed for the Guard and Reserves in the mid 1980s, when the U.S. Army was enabled to federalize or call up specific divisions such as the engineers from Rhinelander or Hurley for out-ofcountry operations. Anderson retired from the military as an E8 Master or First Sergeant. “I view my military service as beneficial and I am fortunate that I didn’t have to serve in conflict situation outside of our emergency call-ups,” said Anderson. “If you are in the military and you are doing your job, paying attention, you learn about how to better interact with people, how to lead people. “You learn the best ways to lead and work within an organization, and the one phrase I use is, ‘If you are in a position of responsibility, take that responsibility.’ Don’t shy away from your responsibilities for either people, or things, or actions. “This is what comes to mind when I think of serving in the military or serving in my community. This is part and parcel of why some people join the military or elect to get involved in their community in the type of things I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to do. “What I think a person can get from the military that relates to civilian life
Marv Anderson said he learned a lot about life during his 18 years in the Army National Guard and Reserves. He now lives on Lost Lake in St. Germain. —Photo By Wally Geist
and responsibilities are two things. First, a sense of mission and getting the job done. Second is camaraderie, working relationships with the people around you. This can be tremendously satisfying. I think most of the time the military does the best job of fostering these things, much more so than in the civilian work environment.” Since 1979, Anderson worked for Sentry Insurance, First Financial Bank and Liberty Mutual in administrative services, managing suppliers, vendors and support operations for the companies. Anderson and his wife, Karen, have been married for 45 years and live on Lost Lake in St. Germain. They are active in
the community and contribute time and energy to local organizations such as the PrimeTimers. He is also a supervisor on the St. Germain Town Board and has served the Marathon County Board. The Andersons also have run in Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Chicago, New York City, Milwaukee, Twin Cities and Nebraska marathons, as well as competed in the Birkebeiner and Journeys Marathon in Eagle River. “The marathons are a little bit of the drive to succeed — part of what the military and competitive sports teach you. Gives you the drive to accomplish the mission, to finish, to do it. Get it done. Do your best,” said Anderson.
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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
John Smallman
Jacob Simac
Cmdr. John Smallman has served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for more than 20 years. His most recent activation was serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for Pacific Partnership 2012 aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy which provided humanitarian and medical care to underprivileged areas in the Pacific Rim. Smallman recently retired as an attorney after 28 years with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the FBI. He has been assigned to the Legal Affairs Department and Legal Advisors Office in Kobul, Afghanistan, beginning Oct. 15, 2013. He graduated from Purdue University and obtained a master’s degree in criminology from Indiana State and a law degree from Michigan State. He is the son of Jack and Joan Smallman of Eagle River.
Master Sgt. Jacob Simac enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in November 2000. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio, Texas, from December 2000 to January 2001. He then attended technical training at Sheppard AFB as an engineer. Simac later spent four years stationed at McConnell AFB, Kan., four years at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, two years at Minot AFB, N.D., and three years at Dover AFB, Del. Simac has been on active duty for the last 13 years and has served six tours in the Middle East including Arabia, Iraq in 2003 during the Iraqi War, and two tours in Qatar and Kuwait. He has been decorated seven times, five for Achievement and two for Commendation. Simac is married to Kathrin and has a son, Benjamin. He is the son of Joe and Mary Simac of Clearwater Lake.
Harold DeRuiter
Lewis Jacobson, M.D.
In 1943, Harold DeRuiter volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army engineers after graduating from Thornton High School in Harvey, Ill. He served one month at Camp Clayborn in Louisiana and was then transferred to Camp Ellis in Illinois to continue with his basic training. He then went to England and Wales to help build living quarters for the troops, and after D-Day he was sent to Utah Beach in France. Based on the point system, he was one of the first to be honorably discharged at Camp Grant in Illinois in 1945. He and his wife, Nellie, moved to Sugar Camp in 1949 where they built Three D’s Resort on Dam Lake. They sold the resort in 1965. DeRuiter has two children, Randy DeRuiter of Katy, Texas, and Diane Weber of St. Germain. DeRuiter and his wife will celebrate 65 years together in June 2013.
Lewis Jacobson, M.D., graduated from Georgetown University and Chicago Medical School. He completed his residency at D.C. General Hospital. He served in the U.S. Army for 18 months during World War II in England, France and Germany. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, two Battle Stars and a Bronze Star. Jacobson is now retired after 54 years as a family physician serving the Eagle River area. His three brothers also served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. One grandson is now completing training at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, as a medic and in June will deploy to Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division.
Sgt. Tyler J. Kritz Tyler graduated from Northland Pines High School in 2003. He enlisted in the U.S. Army right out of school. He did basic training at Fort Sill, Okla. Tyler was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Fort Lewis, Wash. Tyler was on his second deployment to Iraq when he was killed in action on June 3, 2007, in Thaine, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. Tyler was a happy person who wanted to enjoy life to the fullest. He is sadly missed by his family and friends. Our angel, our hero. His parents are Joseph and Doreen Kritz of Eagle River, and sister, Marcia Cira of West Bend.
Disabled American Veterans Van Routes Reservation line (715) 369-6227 MONDAY & TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
• Rhinelander Trig’s Liquor, 6 a.m. • Lake Tomahawk Sloan Comm. Ctr., 6:20 a.m. • Woodruff Corner Hwy. 47 & 51, 6:30 a.m. • Arbor Vitae Mobil Gas (51 & 70), 6:40 a.m. • St. Germain Citgo Gas, 6:55 a.m. • Eagle River VFW, Hwy. 70 West, 7:05-7:15 a.m. • Iron Mountain VAMC, 8:45 a.m.
• Rhinelander Trig’s Liquor, 6 a.m. • Monico K&R’s Short Stop, 6:30 a.m. • Crandon Courthouse (front) 6:55 a.m. • Laona Fire Station (back), 7:15 a.m. • Cavour Corner Hwy. 8 & 139, 7:30 a.m. • Armstrong Creek Gas Station, 7:45 a.m. • Iron Mountain VAMC, 8:45 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
Roman Zulkowski remembered for building Vilas vets memorial
PAGE 9
The memorial at Vilas County Veterans Park in front of the Vilas County Courthouse has been standing for more than 22 years, thanks to the initiative and hard work of one local veteran. Roman Zulkowski of Eagle River, a professional bricklayer and member of VFW Post 8637, started building the monument’s base in 1990 in conjunction with American Legion Post 114. He donated all of the time he spent designing and building the structure. Chuck Harsla, who was commander of the Eagle River VFW at the time, coordinated the effort to create Vilas County Veterans Park. While the part of the monument that is engraved with the names of all the deceased veterans of Vilas County was purchased, the base was built entirely by Zulkowski. He also assembled the monument and the benches surrounding it. The eagle that stands atop the monument was purchased and installed by Zulkowski. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Zulkowski passed away on Dec. 12, 2006, at the age of 81. Each year, flowers are planted around the memorial, flags are placed and names of deceased veterans from Vilas County are engraved on the monument. Many local merchants have donated products for the project over the years, including Horant’s Garden Center, which donates flowers to decorate the structure. Memorial Day ceremonies typically take place at the site of the memorial in front of the courthouse and include performances by the Northland Pines High School band, a canon salute and a guest speaker.
Roman Zulkowski donated his time in 1990 to construct the base of the monument at Vilas County Veterans Park. —Contributed Photo
Visitors at the 2012 Memorial Day ceremony at Vilas County Veterans Park admired the grandeur of the monument constructed by Roman
Zulkowski in 1990. Chuck Harsla organized the fundraising effort and name-gathering for the memorial. —NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO
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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Col. Michael A. Biszak appointed Vilas County veterans service officer Col. Michael A. Biszak has been named the new Vilas County veterans service officer, serving veterans across the county. The commanding officer of the 12th Marine Corps District, Biszak has ties to Manitowish Waters. He replaces Scott Jensen, who retired as the Vilas County veterans service officer in 2012. The Vilas County Board approved Biszak for the position at its March meeting. Biszak was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in December 1986, having completed his undergraduate education in physical education at the UWPlatteville. Following the Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course, Biszak was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Marine Corps Base Camp, Pendleton, Calif., in August 1987. During this tour, Biszak served as a Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer for Bravo Company 1/1 and participated in various exercises and deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in 1988 and the 15th MEU in 1990 to the Western Pacific. In August 1990, Biszak was transferred to Recruiting Station Oklahoma City, 8th Marine Corps District, where he served as the Operations Officer and Executive Officer and subsequently reported to Fort Benning, Ga., in August 1993, where he attended Infantry Officers Advance Course and Airborne School. Ordered to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in February 1994, Biszak reported to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines where he served as the Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, Kilo Company Commander and the Battalion Operations Officer. During this tour, he deployed twice with the 31st MEU and conducted numerous exercises in the Western Pacific. In 1996, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Chicago, 9th Marine Corps District, where he served until reporting to Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va., in August 1999.
In July 2000, Biszak reported to Recruiters School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif., where he served as the director. In July 2003, Biszak was reassigned to Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, where he served as the Battalion Executive Officer and subsequently as the Battalion Commander. During that tour, he deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2005, Biszak was reassigned to the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pa., where he received a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. In July 2006, Biszak reported to NORAD-U.S. Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colo., where he served as the Deputy Division Chief, Theater Security Cooperation Division, Directorate of Plans, Policy and Strategy (NNC/J5) until May 2008. In May 2008, Biszak reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, Calif., to serve as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Recruiting, until March 2010 when he assumed his current duties. Col. Biszak’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award) and the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd Award). About the office The Vilas County Veterans Service Office is located in the Vilas County Courthouse at 330 Court St. in Eagle River. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Biszak and benefits specialist Debbie Durski advise veterans and their families living in Vilas County. The 2010 annual report of the Vilas County veterans service office showed the office assisted 2,996 veterans, their spouses and their dependents. The fiscal impact of those people in Vilas County was almost $15 million. For more information, call the veterans service office at (715) 479-3629.
Col. Michael A. Biszak is the new Vilas County veterans service officer. His office is located at the courthouse in Eagle River. —Photo By Ken Anderson
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WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 11
Don Oberg vital to communications during Army service in Korean War ___________ BY SHARON GIFFORD SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
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Don Oberg of Phelps had been married to his wife, Margaret, for only three days before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953, where he served as a radio operator for 15 months. After training in Augusta, Ga. and
learning teletypewriting, voice and Morse code, Oberg learned his services were needed in the Korean War. The type of communication used at that time depended on the weather, according to Oberg. “I preferred to teletype over the other two,” he said. He was dispatched from Seattle, Wash. for a 17-day journey around a typhoon,
During the Korean War, circa 1953, Don Oberg of Phelps traveled on a 21⁄2-ton truck that was responsible for much of the secret and regu-
eventually landing in Sasebo, Japan to pick up winter clothing and weapons. Oberg traveled on to Incheon, South Korea where he was assigned to Hill 3. He moved around on a two and one-half-ton truck with communications equipment. All communications in South Korea, both secret and regular, went through that truck, according to Oberg. He was able to communicate with 15 different stations.
lar communications in South Korea. He was in touch with 15 individual stations. —Photo By Sharon Gifford
“I was very fortunate that I was never injured, as the enemy wanted to destroy any communication,” said Oberg. “I had the ability to block foreign stations on our channel, causing them to switch to another station and our frequency would be clear.” He was assigned to a communications center at the 8th Army Battalion headquarters in Seoul, South Korea during his last three months of service. Landlines had been put in, and Oberg continued to keep his radio clear in case the landlines went out. “We could still communicate to those 15 stations with my radio,” he said. Oberg was born and raised in Phelps along with three brothers and one sister. His parents owned Big Twin Lake Lodge. Unable to finish high school due to his father passing away in his sophomore year, he had to help out at home. His father had worked for the Vilas County Highway Department. After returning home, Oberg worked in Phelps at Sylvan Products in the building materials industry for 38 years. As a side job, he helped with the upkeep of the Long Lake Dam for 40 years. Oberg said he enjoys fishing, and especially enjoyed fishing in Canada with his brothers in past years. He is a member of the VFW and the American Legion. He and Margaret have been married 60 years and have six daughters, five sons-inlaw, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. “The radio operator job was a very good job, and I regret that I did not continue on in that field when I got out of the military,” said Oberg.
DON OBERG
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MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Three Lakes Historical Museum features exhibit with war artifacts Uniforms, photos in military display ___________ BY JAN HINTZ SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
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The Three Lakes Historical Museum is host to an exhibit that honors the military personnel from the Three Lakes area and features memorabilia donated by local veterans and their families. The exhibit, “Three Lakes Answers the Call,” is housed in the Goldsworthy Exhibit Hall at the museum. The exhibit features items from men and women from Three Lakes who served abroad and at home during 20th century conflicts. Local veterans and their families have donated items to be displayed. Some displays feature photographs of those who served, along with uniforms, correspondences and other artifacts. Museum Curator Alan Tulppo said facility personnel were pleased to recognize area veterans for their service and various contributions to the Three Lakes community. “This is a living exhibit, and will change as people are ready to donate items to share with us,” said Tulppo. “The exhibit wouldn’t have been possible without the willingness of the veterans and their families to share their experiences with us.” The exhibit will be open Saturdays beginning May 25, and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays beginning June 18. The museum hours are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the Three Lakes Historical Society and Museum, visit threelakeshistory.org or follow their Facebook page.
The Three Lakes Historical Museum’s exhibit, called “Three Lakes Answers the Call,” displays historical photographs and military uniforms
in honor of men and women from the town who were enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces during 20th century conflicts. —Photo By Jan Hintz
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WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 13
Craig focuses on life’s positives World War II vet takes Never Forgotten Honor Flight ___________ BY SONIA DIONNE SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
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Arnold Craig from Three Lakes flew to Washington, D.C., April 22 as part of the most recent event sponsored by the Never Forgotten Honor Flight organization. The organization’s mission is to honor veterans who have sacrificed so much for this country. Craig traveled with more than 100 veterans from northern Wisconsin to the nation’s capital. “They really put themselves out for the veterans on these flights,” Craig explained. “From putting us up in hotels and providing meals, touring Washington and all the war memorials from World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, giving us disposable cameras and providing us with someone to help us get around and a tour guide who explained everything. It was top notch! Someone got sick, but there was a doctor right there to help him.” The World Ward II veteran also was impressed with the public’s outpouring of gratitude. “Letters were delivered to us later in the day on our way home,” said Craig. “When we returned to Wausau, from one end of the airport to the other, people lined our way, shaking our hands! It was a wonderful experience.” Craig was born in Stevens Point in 1924 to parents who met during World War I. He was raised mainly in the Milwaukee area during the challenging period of the Depression. “We lived across the field from Marquette University. Like many families, we were poor. It was a difficult time in the history of our country,” Craig recalled. “Work was very hard to find; train cars were loaded with men who traveled from
ARNOLD CRAIG
place to place looking for employment. During summers, I peddled newspapers every day being paid a penny per copy.” He attended West Division High School, which later became the Layton School of Art. When Craig turned 18, he was hired by Badger Meter, a machine shop making bomb parts for the war. Within six months, before graduating from high school, he was drafted. Troops were transported to Europe in a variety of ways during World War II. Craig traveled aboard the Queen Mary, a luxury ocean liner which now sits in dry dock as a full service hotel and historic landmark in Long Beach, Calif. In the 1940s, the ship was retrofitted to carry troops with even the swimming pool fitted with bunks. It was dubbed “The Gray Ghost” and could carry 15,000 troops. “For safety reasons, the ship zigzagged as it sailed until reaching Scotland, then England and France, where I served in the First Army and then the Third Army Division with Patton. That’s when I got shot,” said Craig, who lost his left eye and his hearing in combat. Craig doesn’t like to dwell on the war, but would rather focus on the positive, saying he was just thankful to be alive. Part of that celebration of life involves painting. Craig graduated from the Layton School of Art with an art degree under the GI Bill when he returned from the war. (In addition, the school sent him an honorary high school diploma in 2000.) At age 89, he spends much of his free time putting brush to canvas, using whatever he has on hand to express that talent. “If you really want to paint, you don’t always need the most current supplies,” Craig added. “I like to paint things that make me feel good.” Craig sits in his easy chair, surrounded by letters from supportive individuals he received following the Honor Flight. One letter, from his nephew read: “You played the hand that you were dealt and lived your life to its fullest.” A different message read: “You join the select group of individuals who put aside personal dreams, goals, and self to serve your country. There’s no way I can fully express my gratitude.” Craig’s wife, Janice, provides his most obvious support. “The Honor Flight program gives soldiers recognition for what they did. It was 70 years ago that my husband was in Washington, D.C., aboard the troop train,” she said. “I am proud that he is being honored.”
Arnold Craig of Three Lakes, a World War II veteran, shows the certificate that recognizes him for participating in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. —Photo By Sonia Dionne
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MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Three Lakes Legion Post 431 wall dedicated to displaying burial flags ___________
BY JAN HINTZ SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
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The American Legion Post 431 is an organization that provides camaraderie and support to veterans in the Three Lakes area. Legion manager George Kveck said the post also offers a special program when a post member loses his or her life. “We act as honor guards at the members’ funerals and at the burials we pay tribute to the veteran with a gun salute,” said Kveck. “Following the burial, we present the casket flag to the spouse and family members.” The Department of Veterans Affairs provides an American flag to veterans to honor the memory of the service they have given to their country. This flag is used to drape the casket during the funeral service and is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake. Realizing that not all families have the proper place to keep the burial flag, the Three Lakes American Legion has a wall dedicated to the displaying of these flags. Families donate the flags to the Legion so that the flags can be appropriately respected and displayed. “The families just have to ask to have the flag in the wall,” said Kveck. “We are running short on space, but we will find room for the flag.” The Three Lakes American Legion Post 431 and the Legion Auxiliary support veterans in many other ways. The Legion represents veterans by promoting veterans rights. The Legion sponsors Camp American Legion. The post refers veterans and assists them in applying to Camp American Legion, where they can receive assistance for physical or psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The Three Lakes Legion provides scholarships for students graduating from Three Lakes High School. The Legion also conducts Memorial Day ceremonies honoring the men and women who have given their lives for this country.
Three Lakes American Legion Post 431 Commander Mike Silber and Auxiliary Treasurer Dolores Kaberlein stand at the wall displaying the
veterans’ burial flags at the American Legion building on Superior Street in Three Lakes. —Photo By Jan Hintz
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WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 15
Military experiences to guide Aut into new endeavor as medical student ___________ BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR
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An Eagle River woman who served in two combat deployments says her military experiences will carry over to her future endeavors. Kimberly Aut enlisted in the U.S. Army during her senior year at Northland Pines High School. Now, following a decade-long military career, she will be attending medical school to become a doctor. After graduating from Northland Pines in 2003, she attended basic training in Ft. Jackson, S.C., and advanced individual training as a combat medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Her initial assignment was at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas. In 2004, Staff Sgt. Aut deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was assigned to the 31st Combat Support Hospital. Following a fouryear break in service to attend college, Aut re-entered the Army and reclassified to a behavioral health specialist. “The things I learned while deployed (to Iraq especially) will never be forgotten and will only ensure that I am a greater doctor one day,” said Aut. “But I feel as though I have served enough time after two combat deployments.” In 2012, she deployed to Afghanistan with the 219th Medical Detachment, Combat and Operational Stress Control using therapy dogs, and served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Aut recently returned from Afghanistan and is currently stationed at Fort Bliss, where she will remain until the completion of her military commitment in June. “My experience in the Army was awesome. I did things most people would never imagine or dream of doing,” said Aut. “I traveled around the world and
met amazing people.” Aut will attend the post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at Colorado University-Boulder, where she was recently accepted, in preparation for medical school. Aut’s military awards include the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, NATO (ISAF) Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. Aut was also inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. Aut’s advanced military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention, Certified Unit Victim Advocate, U.S. Military Dog Handler’s Course, Combat Stress Control Course, Traumatic Event Management Course and Physical Readiness Training Course. “The skills and knowledge I gained don’t compare to anything else in the world,” said Aut. Her civilian education includes a bachelor of science in nursing, graduating cum laude from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. “I am moving forward to further my education and attend medical school,” she said. Aut is the daughter of Charisse Rozga-Anderson (Scott) of Eagle River and R.D. Aut (Sharon) of Queen Creek, Ariz., and the granddaughter of Robert and the late Nancy Rozga, also of Eagle River.
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Kimberly Aut is shown with K-9 Isaiah, a military therapy dog. Dogs that Aut worked with in Afghanistan were utilized to assist stress-related patients. Isaiah was trained specifically to live with and assist an Army veteran who is a quadriplegic. —Contributed Photo
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VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Memorial honors Korean War vets he Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial, located in the village of Plover in central Wisconsin, pays tribute to Wisconsinites who fought, died or are still missing as a result of the Korean War. The memorial features a series of largerthan-life bronze statues as its centerpiece. The figures represent the various U.S. Armed Forces that took part in the war. None carries a weapon, signifying that peace is the fervent hope of all veterans. Adjacent to the statues are stone walls with inscriptions, including several comprised of hundreds of tiles offered by individuals to commemorate the service of their loved ones, friends or comrades. The Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial was developed through volunteer efforts and the assistance and direction of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Association of Wisconsin. The memorial was first dedicated in 1994 and was rededicated in 2009, following extensive site reconstruction. Annual programs are held each year on the first Sunday in June to pay tribute to Korean War veterans, their families and all military personnel who continue to admirably serve this country. In 2010, the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Association of Wisconsin turned over ownership, maintenance and control of the memorial to the village of Plover. “The village of Plover has expressed deep pride and honor in assuming ownership of the memorial and has vowed that the Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial forever remain a testament to the valor and honor of all those who served in the Korean War and that the dedication of all servicemen and -women be honored and recognized annually through ceremonies to be held at the memorial,” said Dan Mahoney, village of Plover administrator. Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial maintenance and care is funded solely from donations, sales of memorial tiles and sales of memorabilia. The Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in the village of Plover in Portage County, just off the intersection of I-39/Highway 51 and County Road B. Follow County Road B West to Village Park Drive, then to Maple Drive, which leads to the memorial.
Thank you for supporting us, so we can support those who served our great country.
Special military events are held at the Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial located in the village of Plover. The memorial was first
VFW
dedicated in 1994 and was rededicated in 2009 following extensive site reconstruction. —Contributed Photo
This military salute sponsored in part by
V E T E R A N S O F F O R E I G N WA R S
Stateline VFW Post 8400 4492 County Hwy. B Land O’ Lakes, Wis. 715-547-3314
Eagle River
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 17
Proven served in military for 38 years Soldier awarded two Purple Hearts during Vietnam ___________ BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR
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Donn Proven, the present commander of American Legion Post 114 in Eagle River, has a long history of service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, U.S. Army Reserve and Illinois National Guard. He served the U.S. Armed Forces for 38 years, seeing action in the Vietnam War and contributing to the effort in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. Proven entered the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in April 1962 and completed basic training at Parris Island, N.C. At Camp Lejeune, N.C., he received infantry, jump, diving and reconnaissance training. “My senior year of school, I quit college and joined the Marine Corps at the age of 23,” said Proven. “I was an old man in those days. Vietnam was just getting started and not too many men were getting drafted. It really wasn’t a ward involving the United States at that time.” At the conclusion of Proven’s first 18month tour of duty in Vietnam, he was headed to the “Freedom Bird” for a flight to the United States when incoming mortar hit the waiting troops. Wounded, he was transported to the naval hospital ship USS Repose and then back to Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois. “It got me in the back, both legs and under my shoulders,” said Proven about his injuries from that mortar. After a year of convalescence, Proven served as a drill instructor and trainer on the rifle range at Parris Island. In December of 1966, he returned to Marble Mountain in Vietnam attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 362 (HMM-362). Proven received his second Purple Heart after his helicopter was shot down over the Mekong River after serving just four months. “I got shot in the head and I broke my back and my neck. So it took me another two and one half to three years before I went again,” said Proven. His next three trips to Vietnam were special operations incursions of shorter duration. “When I got back in Parris Island, I kept tell them this is not the way the war is being fought and you shouldn’t be doing it this way. But things and fighting methods had changed. I also went back in 1975 and we tried to get some POWs out, but we couldn’t find them,” he said. Proven continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve on special operations duty for 20 years, including time at Special Operations Command at McDill Air Force Base in Florida. “I was always in Reserve, so I could come in and come out,” said Proven. In 1982, he transferred to the Illinois Army National Guard at Glenview, Ill., at-
Donn Proven, the present commander of American Legion Post 114 in Eagle River, served the U.S. Armed Forces for 38 years. —Contributed Photo
tached to a helicopter repair unit as a master sergeant. At this time, he continued service in special operations for the reserves. Proven was then promoted to chief warrant officer two (CW2) attached to the 108th Medical Battalion as an aviation operations officer. He also was involved in training, instruction and logistics with various military services and agencies. “I trained at a sniper school and that’s how I ended up losing most of my hearings,” said Proven. In September of 1990, Proven was ordered to King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia, during Operation Desert Storm. Proven continued his work in special operations until he retired from the Army in November of 2000. During his years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, U.S. Army Reserve and Illinois National Guard, Proven and his wife owned and operated an association management business. He also served 20 years as the police commissioner of Northfield, Ill. Proven is presently commander of American Legion Post 114 in Eagle River and is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8637, also in Eagle River. As the Legion commander, Proven attends many Vilas County veterans’ funer-
als and presents the U.S. flag in honor of their service to the United States of America. The Legion meets the first Monday of
each month and the VFW meets the third Thursday of the month. Proven and his first wife, Barbara, purchased a summer cottage on Watersmeet Lake in 1973. “It was our second home,” said Proven. “When I returned from Vietnam, we came here and it worked out just fine.” When they retired in 2000, the couple moved permanently to Eagle River. Barbara passed away in 2008. In 2010, Proven married his present wife, Nickie. They enjoy fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and visiting children and grandchildren. “We rebuilt this whole house about two years ago, but we didn’t have enough room for the all the kids during the summer. Now a two-and-one-half-car garage is becoming a cottage for the grandchildren and their parents,” he said. Looking back, Proven is proud of his military career, but knows more needs to be done for veterans and soldiers returning from war. “We need people who are willing to give their life for our country,” said Proven. “The best thing about all of this is that when I came back from Vietnam, they spit in my face and called me a murderer. The guys that are coming back now are being treated real well. The problem is most people don’t know what war is all about.” Proven said that many soldiers returning from war today return to work, but they still have personal issues from their war experience. “My passion is that someday we will have a systems, programs and organizations to help our veterans of all ages,” said Proven.
Veteran Donn Proven of Eagle River, after his retirement, talked to students during a Veterans Day program in Eagle River in 2009. —NEWS-REVIEW PHOTOS
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MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
Eagle River VFW becomes drop off for Cell Phones for Soldiers program Cell Phones for Soldiers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides costfree communication services to active duty military members and veterans, has a new drop-off site in Eagle River. The collection box for recycling used cell phones is located at the Eagle River Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8637 at 418 W. Pine St. in Eagle River. Drop-off times are between 2 and 6 p.m. daily. The organization was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old, with only $21. Cell Phones for Soldiers relies on generous donors for cash contributions and funds raised by the recycling of used cell phones. About Cell Phones for Soldiers In 2012, Cell Phones for Soldiers shared
more than 515,000 communication tools with military families, providing more than 41 million minutes of talk time. The program collected and recycled more than 815,000 phones in 2012. Since 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers has provided troops with 181 million minutes of free talk time. Since 2004, more than 10.8 million cell phones have been recycled, reducing the impact on landfills. Approximately 12,000 calling cards are mailed each week. A $5 donation warrants two and onehalf hours of talk time; a $100 donation gives 50 hours or 3,000 minutes of talk time. There are approximately 15,000 collection points across the nation.
Troop support group seeking new addresses The Eagle River Area Troop Support organization is in need of new and updated addresses of area servicemen and -women to send cards, gifts and personal items. While the local support group is especially interested in assisting military personnel overseas, the group will send packages stateside as well, according to Sharon Benda of the organization.
“I don’t like to see the money sitting idle in our account if there’s someone out there we can help,” said Benda. To make a donation or send an address of military personnel, people can contact Benda at msinfo@newnorth.net or write Area Troop Support, Attn: Sharon, 1210 Perch Lake Road, Eagle River, WI 54521.
To All Veterans Who Have Served This Great Nation with Honor in Times of War, These Members Salute You Fredrick J. Walsh Post 114, American Legion, Eagle River, Wisconsin Thomas Andersen John Armstrong James Bardenwerper Virgil Beyer Richard Bloom Douglas Breit Eric Brunner Donald Budney Allen Burdick Merril Burmeister Lon Bushey Wayne Campbell Francis Carlson Melvin Carlson Carolyn Carter Gary Case Rick Conant Jonathon Cook Christina Crane Norman Dashiell Jeff Davis Marty Doede Donald Duncan Richard Fenzke Eugene Garraty L. Allen Geiger Allen Greenwald
Richard Griffey William Grigus Robert Grimm Gary Guymon Don Hagen Charles Halfmann John Hayes Agendrew Heffner Dawn Hrickson Glenn Huelskamp Harvey Hyslop Daniel Ingraham Ruth James Joseph Jankers Scott Jensen Harold Johnson William Jones Alois Kammes Jr. James Kasper Benard Keith Martin Ketterer Roger Klinter Vincent Kohls Calvin Korpela Arthur Koscielnniak Bernell Kraut Quentin Kukanich
Robert Leach Harry Lee Eugene Leveille Michael Lucas James Lynn Harold Madsen Larry Matson June Maurice Edward Mayack Robert Millard Mark Nagy Earl Newton Bruce Neir Eric Neir James Neir Bernard Opichka Earl Pankow Peter Perfetti Richard Peterson Nellie Pietila Russell Pride Donn Proven Steven Pulec Erwin Rappold Ignatius Rebarchik Richard Reese Ronald Richards
Ralph Richardson David Roberts Max Rockafellow Daniel Rogers Robert Rozga Dennis Rushlow John Sarama Frederick Scharf Wilson Scott Ray Shebesia Darren Slizewski Clarence Sparks Scott Sparks Walter Spiess Joseph Steffek Arney Storzer Einar Syvertsen Charles Tienhaara Charlie Tienhaara Joseph Tomlanovich Timothy Treazzise James Van Haverbeke Michael Vinovich John Wade Ronald Waller Daniel Wroblewski Robert Wuytach
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Keep honor, reflection in Memorial Day events ___________ BY STATE SEN. TOM TIFFANY 12TH SENATE DISTRICT
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For many, the Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of our summer recreational season. With the never ending winter that many of us have experienced, it will mark our first chance to enjoy the outdoors, maybe have a cookout or start on yard projects. It is important that we never lose sight of what the last Monday in May is really about. Memorial Day is a day that has been set aside to honor and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. America has been blessed with many brave men and women who do not view serving their country as a burden, but as a sacred duty. I think that all of us as Americans share the same hope that each conflict, battle or war will be our last. We are reminded, by history and recent events, that threats to our way of life do exist. As time passes, the enemies and threats to our nation may change, but the valor of the men and women willing to answer our nation’s call has not. It is important that we never overlook the origins of this sacred and solemn day. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. Major General John A. Logan, a Civil War veteran and the Commander-In-Chief of the Union veterans organization, the Grand Army of the Republic, established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Originally, May 30 was designated by Major General Logan as the date to be observed because flowers would be in bloom by that time of the year. Prior to the establishment of Decoration Day, many communities around the country informally observed separate
SEN. TOM TIFFANY
traditions for honoring veterans and those fallen in battle. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson officially named Waterloo, N.Y., as the birthplace of Memorial Day. After World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all who died in American wars. The annual observance of Memorial Day on May 30 continued around the country, but it was not until 1971 that Congress declared it a national holiday and moved it to the last Monday in May. To ensure the significance of the holiday was not lost, in the year 2000, Congress passed the “National Moment of Remembrance Act.” The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to take a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to remember those who died while serving our country. We must keep the promise that we will never forget. Thank you.
We salute
those who serve in our armed forces!
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WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
Czarapata completes 20-year Navy career; now teacher, coach Following a 20-year career in the military, U.S. Navy Commander Donald E. Czarapata Jr. is now teaching and coaching at Northland Pines High School. An honors graduate from Lake Forest College, Czarapata began his military service in 1989, training in the nuclear power program. However, he was called to transfer over to the naval flight officer program and received his Wings of Gold in October 1992. Czarapata was assigned to the squadron VAQ-165, flying the A-6E Intruder, which he flew off the USS Nimitz in Operation Southern Watch. He then transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler. After a short time in the VAQ-129 Squadron, he was designated a prowler tactics officer instructor in Pensacola, Fla. His special abilities and excellence led to being named Air Wing Nine’s and Carrier Group Seven’s Naval Flight Officer of the Year in 1999. During this time, Czarapata was assigned to the USS Nimitz and USS Stennis. He then participated in Western Pacific deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch. In addition, in 1999 he deployed to Avaino, Italy, for combat in Kosovo in support of Operation Allied Force. During his tour, his squadron won the 1997 Battle Efficiency Award and the Radford Award for the most outstanding electronic attack squadron in the U.S. Navy. In September 2001, as a result of Sept. 11, he was assigned to the USS Stennis in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for combat in Afghanistan, and again in 2003 he was deployed to the Western Pacific, on board the USS Carl Vinson in support of the War on Terror. After September 2003, Czarapata reported to NATO in Stavanger, Norway. There he was responsible for preparing four International Security Assistance Force operational headquarters encompassing more than 2,500 staff personnel from more than 25 nations for the realworld NATO mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. Czarapata ended his career as the executive officer at Great Lakes Naval Station, the U.S. Navy’s only recruit training center. As the No. 2 man in command, Czarapata led 1,100 instructors and staff across 16 departments in professional development of 43,000 personnel annually. He guided the Navy’s boot camp into a worldclass training facility during a $770 million recapitalization of 37 facilities, all totaling $317 million.
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The story of taps The 24-note melancholy bugle call known as “taps” is thought to be a revision of a French bugle signal, called “tattoo,” that notified soldiers to cease an evening’s drinking and return to their garrisons. It was sounded an hour before the final bugle call to end the day by extinguishing fires and lights. The last five measures of the tattoo resemble taps. The word “taps” is an alteration of the obsolete word “taptoo,” derived from the Dutch “taptoe.” Taptoe was the command — “Tap toe!” — to shut (“toe to”) the “tap” of a keg. The revision that gave us present-day taps was made during America’s Civil War by Union Gen. Daniel Adams Butterfield, heading a brigade camped at Harrison Landing, Va., near Richmond. Up to that time, the U.S. Army’s infantry call to end the day was the French final call, “L’Extinction des feux.” Gen. Butterfield decided the “lights out” music was too formal to signal the day’s end. One day in July 1862, he recalled the tattoo music and hummed a version of it to an aide, who wrote it down in music. Butterfield then asked the brigade bugler, Oliver W. Norton, to play the notes and, after listening, lengthened and shortened them while keeping his original melody. He ordered Norton to play this new
call at the end of each day thereafter, instead of the regulation call. The music was heard and appreciated by other brigades, who asked for copies and adopted this bugle call. It was even adopted by Confederate buglers. This music was made the official Army bugle call after the war, but not given the name “taps” until 1874. The first time taps was played at a military funeral may also have been in Virginia soon after Butterfield composed it. Union Capt. John Tidball, head of an artillery battery, ordered it played for the burial of a cannoneer killed in action. Not wanting to reveal the battery’s position in the woods to the enemy nearby, Tidball substituted taps for the traditional three rifle volleys fired over the grave. Taps was played at the funeral of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson 10 months after it was composed. Army infantry regulations by 1891 required taps to be played at military funeral ceremonies. Taps now is played by the military at burial and memorial services, to accompany the lowering of the flag and to signal the “lights out” command at day’s end. This story of taps is from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
DONALD E. CZARAPATA JR.
Some of Czarapata’s accomplishments during his 20-year career include his 100 combat missions on various aircraft carriers, where he logged more than 2,200 flight hours and had in excess of 575 carrier arrestments. Czarapata’s military decorations and awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (three individual actions, one with combat “V”), Air Medal (fifth strike/flight), Navy Commendation Medal (three), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign and service awards. In addition, his superiors used these phrases to describe his service: “Born to lead,” “Everything runs smoothly when he is in charge,” “He has uncommon foresight in team building,” “Legendary warrior,” “He has expertise in all facets of carrier aviation and strike warfare,” “A gifted leader with communitywide reputation for excellence,” “My most productive officer,” “A natural leader,” “Has impeccable military bearing” and “Combat-proven warrior.” Czarapata and his wife, Nicole, daughter, Lauren, and son, Jacob, now live in St. Germain. He teaches math at Northland Pines High School and is an assistant coach for the Eagles boys hockey team.
We thank those who served, our veterans and active military
Paul’s Pump-’N-Pantry
OUR REGULAR PRICES ARE OTHERS’ SPECIALS
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(715) 479-2999
The Veterans of Foreign Wars offer our heartfelt thanks to all veterans who make Join us — you might like it. Stop by or call today. the freedom we now enjoy possible. VFW Post 8637 418 Pine St., Eagle River, Wis. (715) 479-8810
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MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Rhinelander VA clinic provides specialty care ___________
OSCAR
BY BRAD NELSON PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER G. JOHNSON VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER
___________
The Veterans Administration (VA) Outpatient Clinic in Rhinelander offers a variety of health care services to area veterans, including primary care and behavioral health services on site and referrals for specialty care services with specialists at other VA medical centers.
team of health care professionals at Rhinelander, which includes his or her physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse and administrative clerk. A social worker, pharmacist, dietician and mental health professional also may be on the team.
Currently, up to 25 specialty-care clinic appointments with specialists at other facilities may be accomplished via telehealth video technology.
These health care professionals work together as a team to provide comprehensive care for each veteran.
This technology allows a patient at the Rhinelander clinic to be seen by a specialist at the Milwaukee, Madison or Iron Mountain, Mich., VA medical centers through state-of-the-art clinical video equipment with all the necessary accessories to conduct a thorough examination. The clinic also hosts peer support groups for both veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their spouses and, most recently, the VA assigned a team there to serve chronic mentally ill veterans in northern Wisconsin. The Department of Veterans Affairs has transformed how it delivers care to its veterans. In 2010, the VA began implementing the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) model to provide more patient-centric care to its veterans. The PACT model is team-based care. This means the veteran works with a core
The model also is a veteran-centered partnership where the veteran and his or her health care team work together to assess and treat the whole person, with an emphasis on lifelong preventive health and wellness. The PACT emphasizes coordinated care. The VA health care team coordinates all aspects of a veterans’ health care to include within the clinic, with specialists at other VA medical centers, or with non-VA providers. The objective is to ensure seamless coordination and continuity of care for the patient. The VA’s Rhinelander Clinic, located at 639 West Kemp Street, currently has 17 employees, including two full-time nurse practitioners, a psychologist and a social worker. Veterans interested in services provided by the VA Outpatient Clinic in Rhinelander may call (715) 362-4080.
The Veterans Administration (VA) Outpatient Clinic in Rhinelander serves veterans across north central Wisconsin with on-site health services. —Photo By Brad Nelson
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We Salute
the veterans and active-duty military who keep America the land of the free and home of the brave.
622 E. Wall St. Eagle River, Wis. Right next to Nelson’s Ace Hardware
(715) 479-6631
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 21
Veterans war memorial maintained in St. Germain ___________ BY WALLY GEIST SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
___________
Although the corner of highways 70 and 155 was designated as Veteran’s Park by the St. Germain Town Board as early as 1991, the final dedication of the park’s memorial wall didn’t take place until 2003, after years of careful planning. The town board initiated the project, contributing $7,500 toward the future memorial. Action on raising funds and building the present memorial didn’t begin until 1999, when St. Germain Lions Club member Ken Oldenburg petitioned the club to sponsor the memorial’s construction. The club then appointed a committee to oversee the design, construction and fundraising efforts for the project. In 2001, Waldmann Construction was asked to design and submit plans for the memorial. Building phase one then began, which included five walls representing each branch of the U.S. armed forces. Meanwhile, the Lions Club performed additional fundraising, selling inscribed bricks at $50 apiece. Phase one resulted in the placement of 532 inscribed bricks into the five sections of the memorial. Lions Club member Wilmer Weber was responsible for the sale and placement of the bricks. The first brick was sold in April 2002 and the final brick was sold in September 2002. A bronze plaque at the memorial recognizes the generous donations from individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the town of St. Germain. In time, four additional, smaller walls were built, allowing for another 288 inscribed bricks to be added to the memorial. The second phase saw bricks sold from March 2003 to November of the same year. The estimated overall cost of the project was $85,000. Between 700 and 1,000 people were in attendance for the memorial’s dedication May 26, 2003. Cactus Squadron-Eagle River member J. Brentlinger performed a fly-over in his AT-6 while music was provided by the Northland Pines High School band. The memorial continues to display the American flag, the five flags of the U.S. armed forces and the POW-MIA flag. The town of St. Germain continues to maintain the site and pays for lighting after dark. A bronze plaque dedicated by the St. Germain community at the memorial site commemorates those who served the U.S. Armed Forces during 20th century conflicts (near photo). Four brick walls were added after the original memorial was constructed which allowed for the addition of names from more recent conflicts. These walls allowed for 288 more inscribed bricks to be added to the previous total of 532 (far photo).
The St. Germain Veterans War Memorial is located at the corner of what was once Weber Field, named in honor of William Weber who
died in France during World War II. Plaques facing the intersection of highways 70 and 155 represent the five branches of the armed forces. —Photos By Wally Geist
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MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Honor our veterans, it’s the least we can do ___________ BY STATE REP. ROB SWEARINGEN 34TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
___________
We pray for God’s blessing and protection for those who risk their lives to serve our country.
SHEPHERD of the LAKES LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA Welcomes you to our worship services: Saturday 5:30 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. Holy Communion at every service
2903 State Hwy. 155, Sayner, WI 54560 715-542-3701 www.shepherdofthelakeschurch.org A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
We thank our veterans & servicemen and -women for keeping America free! FIND WHAT YOU NEED AT Visa, MasterCard & Discover are considered cash.
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Friendship House Family Restaurant
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As Americans, every Memorial Day we honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. May 27 is a day to remember our brothers and sisters who have fought against tyranny. Their dedication to the American people should never be forgotten. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate all that our armed forces from Wisconsin, and across the nation, have done to keep us safe. Over a decade ago, New York City was struck by a force that chilled Americans to the bone. We were caught off-guard and flat footed by the terroristic group Al-Qaeda. After September 11, 2001, the United States of America was changed forever. On the surface, America has recovered from the impact of 9/11. Skyscrapers have been reconstructed, streets have been cleared and memorials have been built to honor the deceased. However, the pain and suffering from the families and friends involved will never be alleviated. America responded and our troops have continuously risked their lives in the Middle East to ensure our safety. As with any conflict, not all of the brave returned home; join me today in honoring them. On this day, May 27, let us remember the brave and courageous soldiers who have risked everything to make America a better place. Our armed forces are the reason that we can sleep with ease at night. Let us also remember the ones who were ripped from our lives on the sunny September morning in New York City, the Pentagon, and the fields of Pennsylvania. Memorial Day allows us a chance to
REP. ROB SWEARINGEN
spend extra time with family and friends, perhaps over a cook-out. Please take time to visit a local parade or event to honor our veterans. Reach out to those who have lost a loved one or friend during conflict and assure them that they are always in your thoughts and prayers. Honoring our veterans is the least we can do, considering the dedication and commitment they have provided to the safety and protection of our nation. God Bless and thank you Wisconsin veterans for all that you continue to do for your country.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 23
Volunteers in Rhinelander area collect over 300 phones for soldiers The Military Support Group and AT&T recently announced the conclusion of a Rhinelander area Cell Phones for Soldiers drive at the Rhinelander American Legion. More than 300 phones were collected in the past month. Recycling proceeds from the phones are used to purchase phone cards to send to military members overseas. “Our country owes a debt of gratitude to our troops that can never be repaid,” said Ray Zastrow, president of the Military Support Group. “Recycling these cell phones to help them be connected to loved ones back home and sending these care packages will help show our support for them.” State Rep. Rob Swearingen said he was proud to join the group to help the troops. “This project has been a great way to bring the community together to support our troops and honor their tremendous sacrifices to our country,” he said. Additionally, local volunteers recently packed care packages to be distributed to troops overseas. “As a company, AT&T is committed to showing our support for our troops and our veterans each and every day,” said Scott VanderSanden, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “We’re very proud to join with Rhinelander area community leaders to help our heroes abroad and their families.” Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by then teenagers Brittany and Robbie Bergquist as a way for military families serving overseas to keep in touch with family back home. With the support of AT&T and cell
Volunteers in the Rhinelander area teamed up with the Military Support Group and AT&T to collect more than 300 cell phones, which were
phone donations by its customers, the charity has generated more than $3 million to help connect military members to their families back home. Any Wisconsin resident can join the
then recycled to raise funds to purchase phone cards for soldiers overseas. AT&T also donated $2,500. —Contributed Photo
cause and donate old cell phones through three simple and free ways: • Donate old cell phones at any AT&T store located in Wisconsin. • Visit the Cell Phones for Soldiers web-
site to locate a drop-off location at cellphonesforsoldiers.com. • Print off a free shipping label by visiting the Cell Phones for Soldiers website and mail old phones.
Wisconsin Salutes Veterans license plates available to all Wisconsin Salutes Veterans license plates are available to anyone who is interested in expressing their support for Wisconsin’s veterans. The license plates are available through the state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The plate features black numbers, along with the word “Wisconsin” across the top of the plate in red and the words “Salutes Veterans” at the bottom, also in red. A decal featuring a bald eagle and a U.S. flag are displayed on the left side of the plate. Guidelines to keep in mind for the Wisconsin Salutes Veterans license plates include: • Fees for the plates include the basic annual vehicle registration fee (currently $75 for many cars and trucks), plus a $15 fee when new, nonpersonalized plates are issued. • Funds collected from the $15 issuance fee are transferred to the Veterans Trust Fund at the Wisconsin Department of Vet-
erans Affairs. Personalized Wisconsin Salutes Veterans plates are available and require an additional $15 annual fee. • The salute plates can be placed on autos, motor homes and trucks up to 8,000pound gross-weight, including dual-purpose farm and dual-purpose motor home, and 12,000-pound gross-weight farm trucks. The Wisconsin DMV also offers more than 50 different military plate options for veterans and recipients of certain military medals and honors. All currently issued Wisconsin military plates feature blue numbers on a red, white and blue background. Military plates are available to active, reserve or retired U.S. military personnel, military academy students or alumni who submit proof of eligibility. More information regarding Wisconsin special plates, including a preview of the veteran’s plate and other military plates, can be found at dot.wisconsin.gov.
Anyone who is interested in supporting Wisconsin’s veterans can request a Wisconsin Salutes Veterans license plate through the state Division of Motor Vehicles.
PAGE 24
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
Organizations ready to assist veterans Phone numbers
• Federal VA: va.gov
• Oneida County Veterans Service Office, (715) 369-6127
• Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs: dva.state.wi.us
• VA Pension Center call center, 877-294-6380 • Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, 800-WIS-VETS • VA Medical Center, Iron Mountain, MI, 800-215-8262 • Community-Based Outreach Clinic, Rhinelander, (715) 362-4080
AMVETS seeking members for new chapter in Land O’ Lakes ___________ BY JANET GARLING SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
___________
Websites
• Vilas County Veterans Service Office, (715) 479-3629
• VA Regional Office call center, 800-827-1000
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
• Tricare: tricare.mil • Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS): dfas.mil • Oneida County: co.oneida.wi.gov • Vilas County: co.vilas.wi.us
While there is more than one organization that veterans can join, one of those not mentioned as often is AMVETS, which stands for American Veterans. AMVETS is a national organization which was formed in 1944 to aid those returning from World War II. Eighteen of those returning veterans founded The American Veterans of World War II Dec. 10, 1944. The name was eventually shortened to AMVETS. Today, AMVETS membership is open to anyone who is currently serving, or who has honorably served, in the U.S. Armed Services from World War II to the present, including the National Guard and Reserves. AMVETS Post 8400 is the local chapter of this organization. It is led by Cmdr. Bill Spence. The organization often works closely with the Land O’ Lakes Veterans of For-
eign Wars (VFW). In addition to helping with other civic duties, it assists with military funerals and participates in Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades. Officers in Post 8400 include Spence, 1st Vice President Jack Garbarek, 2nd Vice President Jim McDonough, Finance Officer and Chaplin Lee Forassippi, Judge Advocate David Johnson, Provost Marshall Joe Justice and Adjutant Dan Swiecichowski. On Flag Day, the group holds its annual ceremony to properly dispose of American flags. This year’s event will take place Friday, June 14, at Sand Lake Pub in Phelps. As their average membership age continues to become older, the organization is always interested in having new members join. Anyone interested in more information on this organization should call Spence at (715)-545-2517.
• DAV van reservations, (715) 369-6227 • Tricare, Northern Region 877-TRICARE • CHAMPVA, 800-733-8387 • Education Center, St. Louis, MO, 888-GIBILL1
To plan your visit to Three Lakes visit www.threelakes.com
• DFAS for retirees, 800-321-1080
Three Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center 715.546.3344 or 800.972.6103 vacation@threelakes.com
WE SALUTE: THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED THE SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR VETERANS THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE The American Legion Riders Mission is “to participate in parades and other ceremonies that are in keeping with the aims and purposes of the American Legion.”
The American Legion Auxiliary has one great purpose “to contribute to the accomplishments of the aims and purposes of the American Legion.”
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE NORTHERN GLASS CO. INC. 721 E. Wall St., Eagle River, Wis. (715) 479-9106
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Giving credit where it’s due, we salute our veterans and active-duty military.
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WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 25
The Highground pays tribute to Wisconsin veterans
The Highground is a 148-acre manned veterans memorial park near Neillsville in central Wisconsin that pays tribute to the dead and honors the survivors, their service and their sacrifices. Its mission is to honor veterans and their families and to educate about the cost of things — the human cost. Its vision is to honor human courage and sacrifice wherever it is displayed, without either denying or glorifying the pain and suffering of war or of life. “We seek to have The Highground continue to be a focus of healing for all who come, regardless of the name of the battle which left the scars,” said a Highground spokesperson. The plaza provides easy accessibility to many tributes honoring veterans from World War I to the present with a stunning view of the two tributes that rest on the adjacent hillsides. The idea for The Highground was actually born Dec. 18, 1965, on a battlefield in Vietnam. Twenty-four-year-old Tom Miller was holding in his arms his good friend, 22year-old Jack Swender, who was unconscious and bleeding from a large piece of shrapnel that had torn his throat and severed his jugular vein. As Jack lay dying in Tom’s arms, Tom made a silent promise to himself and to Jack that this terrible loss and great sacrifice would not be given in vain. The Flag Pole was the first permanent structure brought to The Highground by the Clark County Area Veterans Council. The nurse has a place of honor in front of the flagpole. She pays tribute to all women who served this nation. Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans Tribute
(Fragments) has a combat nurse wearing a poncho, gathering the fragments of the others into her arms. Under her poncho, bundles of names of those from Wisconsin who were killed in Vietnam are interspersed with chimes, never meant to be read but to be voiced in sound so that the prayers left here go out to the hillsides and beyond. Visitors will notice that not one of the figures in the statue is complete. They flow into one, much like war, each are dependent on each other and strengthen each other. The artist didn’t sign the statue. “It was signed with the cost of things. It was signed in sound. It was signed by us all,” said a Highground spokesperson. The National Native American Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the first national memorial to come to The Highground. The sculpture depicts an American Indian soldier in jungle fatigues, holding a rifle in one hand and an eagle feather staff in the other. The names of all American Indians in North America who died as a result of the Vietnam War are etched into the black granite base which skirts the entire statuary. Korean veterans no longer feel their service has been forgotten at The Highground. Three bronze figures depict Cold, Heat and Anguish — conditions that made living and fighting in Korea an unending nightmare. Water surrounds the peninsula emphasizing the distance these men are from home, friends and family. The Meditation Garden welcomes everyone whose footsteps guide them along its pathway and whose hearts seek the sanctuary and promise of spiritual renewal. Healing and hope abide in the warm embrace of the family arbor, the gentle
The Highground also has a Meditation Garden, where individuals, couples, friends and families can walk along a pathway and pause for spiritual renewal.
The Highground memorial park features a number of monuments, including Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans Tribute titled, “Fragments.” —Contributed Photos
sound of the Fountain of Tears and the reflective quiet of the Prayer Stone. The pathways join into one at the Ascension of Doves, a signature sculpture sponsored by a Gold Star Family in memory of their son who died in Iraq. World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) are proud of the role women pilots played during World War II. More than 1,100 WASPs served as test pilots, flying instructors and transport pilots. The World War II Globe rests on a four-sided black granite base calling attention to the far-reaching scope of that time period and the 16 million people who were in uniform. The Earthen Dove Effigy Mound honors Prisoners of War and those who remain Missing in Action (MIA). A second MIA is recognized on The Highground “Missing in America” — those veterans who came home with life enduring wounds to body and mind. The Gold Star is a living tribute that honors all those families, who not only lost a member as a result of their service, but those who supported their loved ones when they came home. The Doughboy, a World War I tribute, features a classic statue recognized in many places and representative of World War I. At The Highground, the Doughboy’s rifle is at parade rest, rather than at the ready. His right hand is outstretched and open in greeting instead of raised in anger holding a grenade. The Liberty Bell is an exact replica of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pa.. Visitors are encouraged to ring the bell with the words on the entry beam — Let Freedom Ring.
The Learning Center invites visitors to a variety of gallery displays honoring veterans throughout the year, as well as a browsable library. The Wisconsin Persian Gulf tribute called The Bootprint Design is the next tribute to come to The Highground. The tribute will honor those who served in Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. A tribute to military service dogs and their handlers is in the planning stages. A proposal will be presented to the board of directors for approval to move forward with fundraising and then construction. “More than for all veterans, more than for those who did not come back, The Highground is a place for all of us,” said a spokesperson. Incorporated in 1984 as the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project Inc., this grassroots effort continues only because of the dedication of countless individuals, families, organizations and businesses that have given of their time, talents and financial resources. Volunteers and contributors are the heart of The Highground. The Highground is located three miles west of Neillsville on Highway 10. The park is lit at night and open to visitors year-round 24 hours a day. The Timberframe Information & Gift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Sundays. Donations can be sent to The Highground, W7031 Ridge Rd., P.O. Box 457, Neillsville, WI 54456, or call (715) 7434224 for more information.
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MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
Honor Flight trips Take the time help veterans reflect to thank a veteran ___________
BY TAMMY WALTERS SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-REVIEW
___________
The Honor Flight Network (HFN) is a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. The organization transports veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans, World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who are terminally ill. Based on recent 2012 statistics, the United States is losing World War II veterans at the rate of approximately 800 per day. HFN will continue to do whatever it takes to fulfill the dreams of veterans and help them travel absolutely free for this life-changing experience. Subsequent to the World War II veterans, HFN efforts will focus on Korean War and then Vietnam War veterans, honoring them similarly. Many hubs are already accepting applications for these veterans. In Wisconsin, there are five Honor
Flight hubs. They are: — Badger Honor Flight, Madison, Brian Ziegler, (608) 616-0243; — Freedom Honor Flight Inc., La Crosse, Cheryl Higgins or Bill Hoel, (608) 784-1015; — Never Forgotten Honor Flight, Wausau, Mike Thompson, (715) 573-8519, or Pat Puyleart, (715) 355-1585; — Old Glory Honor Flight, Appleton, Drew or Diane MacDonald, (888) 6359838; and — Stars & Stripes Honor Flight Inc., Port Washington, Brad Hoeft or Joe Dean, (262) 238-7740. For more information, people can view the HFN website at honorflight.org. Tammy Walters is the Oneida County veterans service officer. She can be reached at (715) 369-6127 or twalters@co.oneida. wi.us.
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For the past few years, the Vilas County News-Review has given me an opportunity to write an article for the “Military Salute” special section to their newspaper. I’m always happy to oblige because anyone who takes the time to honor military men and women that way deserves support. I am Tammy Walters, Oneida County veterans service officer and retired Navy Senior Chief. I have had the honor and privilege of serving Oneida County veterans since February 2006. And if you know me, you know I really mean it when I say “honor and privilege.” I love helping people and when those people are veterans, it just sweetens the pot. I feel blessed to be doing what I’m doing and hopefully will be doing it until my second retirement, which is many years away. I’m proud to be a veteran and I’m even more proud to serve veterans. I think veterans are often taken for granted. Many people never stop to realize or try to understand the sacrifices a veteran made during their military service. Even in peacetime, the sacrifice is extraordinary. As an unknown author wrote, “A veteran is someone who, at one point in his/her life, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘Up to and including my life.’ ” Veterans Day honors all men and women who signed that check. Memorial Day honors those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice and cashed that check. Memorial Day is traditionally held on the last Monday in May. Unfortunately, that is also viewed as the unofficial start of summer. I say unfortunately because it causes people to forget about the true meaning of Memorial Day. Instead they’re more focused on boating and barbecues. Don’t get me wrong. I understand why people do that. It’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with the people they love. But please take the time to think about those men and women who gave their lives so you could enjoy those activities. Those men and women were somebody’s father, mother, brother, sister, son and daughter. Their family and
O O O O O
TAMMY WALTERS
friends are still grieving their loss and trying hard to live a normal life. Their bravery and heroism deserve our respect. To all the veterans out there, I thank you for your service. And I thank the families that supported them during their service and the family members who are still supporting them. Remember, most of our military men and women came home, but a lot of them didn’t come home unscathed. Many veterans will be paying the price for their service for the rest of their lives. Don’t ever think that just because a person’s military service is finished, they should just move on with their life. It doesn’t always work that way. So take the time on Memorial Day to thank a veteran. And take the time to thank the families and friends who have a loved one that paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. Tammy Walters, Oneida County veterans service officer, can be reached at (715) 369-6127 or twalters@co.oneida. wi.us.
In honor of the countless men and women who have given their service, and for some their lives, to protect our liberties and freedom, you have our unmeasurable gratitude and appreciation.
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW EAGLE RIVER PUBLICATIONS
O O O O O
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2013
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
MILITARY SALUTE
PAGE 27
Military Salute O’Brien, NEWS-REVIEW VILAS COUNTY
Eagle River Vindicator Established 1886 Eagle River Review 1890 Vilas County News 1892
Published by Eagle River Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 1929 425 W. Mill St. at Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521 e-mail: erpub@nnex.net vcnewsreview.com Phone 715-479-4421 Fax 715-479-6242
Publisher KURT KRUEGER Editor GARY RIDDERBUSCH Assistant Editor ANTHONY DREW Lifestyle Editor RYAN BURGY Production Manager JEAN DREW Assistant Production Manager ELIZABETH BLEICHER Circulation Manager ELIZABETH SCHMIDT Accounting Manager TERRY POSTO Photo Technician SHARINA ADAMS Production Technician CARLY RATLIFF Advertising KURT KRUEGER • TAMMY KLEIN KATHLYN OGDEN • MARCIA HEYER MARY JO ADAMOVICH
Anderson, Burgy & Garbowicz, LLP ESTABLISHED 1927
Attorneys At Law Please support our veterans, soldiers and military families.
America’s Military Heroes Should Never Be Forgotten THIS SPECIAL MILITARY SALUTE IS SPONSORED IN PART BY
Gaffney-Busha
THREE LAKES AMERICAN LEGION POST 431 ALL VETERANS WELCOME TO JOIN
“When in the region, stop at the Legion”
The Legion Bar DOWNTOWN THREE LAKES • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Live music once each month, usually the last Saturday
PAGE 28
MILITARY SALUTE
VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS
SALES SERVICE RENTAL
T h a n k yo u to t hose who ser ve f or us.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2013
We salute you!
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THANK YOU
To all the brave men and women who have served or are currently serving in the military, and remembering those who are no longer with us. God bless them, the families and God bless America!
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