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NOVEMBER 2015

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Serving his country at 16 Bruce Cottington, state commander of Veterans of Underage Military Service, was one of thousands of young people who circumvented the system to serve in World War II Historical Society plans to re-dedicate Grand Army of the Republic Hall Learn best way to transition from health insurance to Medicare Minnesota man writes novel about Civil War

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS November

‘The Taffetas’ Four sisters from Muncie, Ind., make their national television singing debut. “Spotlight on Music,” a fictitious weekly 1950s television show sets the framework for an evening of some of the greatest hits of the 1950s. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 5-7 and Nov. 12-14 at Crow River Winery in Hutchinson.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, by ordering online at www.hutchtheatre.org, calling 320587-7278 or purchasing in person at: Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce, or Hutchinson Center for the Arts.

‘Rocky Mountain Christmas’ Dassel-Cokato Arts Association will present “Rocky Mountain Christmas” at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center. A family holiday tradition comes to life as Jim Curry performs the music from John

Denver’s many television specials and Christmas music collections.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $7 for youth. Tickets are available at www.dc.k12.mn.us/pac, in the D-C Community Education office or by calling 320-286-4120.

lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1040 South Grade Road, SW.

Forest City Pioneer Christmas

December Advent luncheon, bake sale Zion Lutheran of Litchfield will host its annual Advent luncheon and bake sale Dec. 3. Bake sale begins at 10:30 a.m. The luncheon is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost for the luncheon is $8. The church is at 504 Gilman Ave. N.

Trees and Traditions Trees and Traditions, a holiday event in Hutchinson, will feature Christmas trees, table settings, collections, music, quilts, lefse and krumkake demonstrations, country store, bake shop, coffee bar and refreshments. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5, with a light

The Forest City Stockade will celebrate its annual Pioneer Christmas from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. There will be demonstrations, activities and food. Cost is $5 for adults, free for children 12 and younger. The stockade is on Minnesota Highway 24.

‘Holiday Showcase’ Litchfield Community Theatre will present “Holiday Showcase,” featuring local performers at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 Bernie Aaker Auditorium. For more information, go online to www.litchfieldcommunitytheatre.com.

To submit an event to be included in this free listing, send information, including time, date, place, and cost, as well as a contact person’s name and phone number. Email information to Juliana Thill at thill@independentreview.net or call 320-593-4808.

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CONTENTS story: Bruce 10 Cover Cottington of Litchfield

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Zest For 50+ living

works to spread the word about Veterans of Underage Military Service

In the news:

PUBLISHED BY Litchfield Independent Review P.O. Box 307, Litchfield, MN 55355 320-693-3266

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Dietitians offer healthful eating tips at the McLeod County Senior Expo

NOVEMBER 2015 Vol. 6 No. 9

Hutchinson Leader 170 Shady Ridge Road NW, Suite 100 Hutchinson, MN 55350 320-587-5000

In the news: A magician entertains a crowd at the Meeker County Senior Expo

EDITOR Juliana Thill thill@independentreview.net 320-593-4808 Litchfield office 320-234-4172 Hutchinson office

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PUBLISHER Brent Schacherer schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com 320-234-4143

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kevin True true@hutchinsonleader.com 320-234-4141 SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGE Michelle Magnuson 320-234-4142 magnuson@hutchinsonleader.com PRINTED BY Crow River Press 170 Shady Ridge Road NW Hutchinson, MN 55350 Zest is published monthly by the Litchfield Independent Review and Hutchinson Leader newspapers. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the publisher.

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In the news: Meeker County Historical Society to honor the past with a re-dedication of Grand Army of the Republic Hall

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Medicare: Tips to transition from health insurance to Medicare

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Money matters: Learn about the new chip credit cards

14 Recipes: Savor the flavor of autumn with Fettuccine Pumpkin Alfredo, Carrot Cake Salad, and Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream

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A WARM WELCOME

B

ruce Cottington has slowed down a bit since he was a teenager serving in World War II. At 88, it’s to be expected.

However, his love for his country, his admiration of veterans and his involvement in the community are still unmatched by most people. While he’s no longer fighting in the war, he’s fighting to make sure veterans are honored for their service, are respected by all of us, and that Veterans of Underage Military Service are recognized for their contributions to U.S. wars. In honor of Veterans Day this month, it seems fitting to feature Cottington on the cover of our magazine and to share his story with our readers. Cottington was 14 when Pearl Harbor was bombed, 15 when he talked to a recruiter about joining the Navy, and 16 when he was sent off to World War II. He and many other young men and women lied about their age so they could serve their country. You can read more about Cottington and his involvement with the VUMS as he openly talks about his time in and out of the service.

Also in this magazine, we have photos that highlight some of the activities that took place at the McLeod County Senior Expo and Meeker County Senior Expo.

Hundreds of seniors attended and came away inspired.

Those of you who have health insurance and are switching over to Medicare will find our story on the two inform-

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ative. Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplaces overlaps with Medicare Fall Open Enrollment. However, these enrollment periods are not the same.

People with Medicare should use the Fall Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) to review how they get their Medicare and make any changes to their coverage for next year. If people have Qualified Health Juliana Thill Plan coverage that they bought through the individual marketplaces, Editor they should take certain steps when they are eligible for Medicare.

Our financial expert offers some information on the new chip credit and debit cards that banks and credit card companies are issuing to consumers. The cards eventually will replace cards with a magnetic strip. Read more on how the new chip cards offer more security and are used differently in credit card machines.

Cool autumn breezes have us adding more layers of clothing, snuggling under a warm blanket and using the oven more for baking. We offer three tasty, easy-to-make recipes that will help you savor the flavor of fall.

And to all our veterans, thank you for your service.

Meeker County Historical Society plans re-dedication of G.A.R. Hall

Buffalo man writes novel about Civil War Richard Neil LaBute Jr. of Buffalo, Minn., recently wrote “The Search,” a U.S. Civil War novel, published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc. “The Search” is a historical novel that explores the experiences of the officers and crew of the United States warship Wyoming during the Civil War. On a mission to find the Confederate ship Alabama, the men of the Wyoming are, by coincidence, drawn into the conflicts arising in the dangerous, exotic, and rapidly changing world of pre-revolutionary Japan.

“The Search” offers a glimpse of clashing cultures and evolving worldviews, using historic events and personalities to create a tale of intrigue and adventure.

LaBute was born in Michigan and grew up in Washington state. His writing reflects his lifelong interest in history and linguistics, as well as seven years of service in the United States Marine Corps. Since 2000, he has been engaged in animal husbandry and organic/ sustainable farming in Buffalo, in addition to flying corporate aircraft and air ambulance part-time. Having traveled, worked, or lived in more than 100 countries, including 10 years spent in Japan, LaBute lives on a small farm with his wife of 30 years, Yoko.

“The Search” is a 158-page paperback with a retail price of $15.

The ISBN is 978-1-4809-0647-1. For more information, go online to www.dorrancebookstore.com.

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IN THE NEWS

“The Search” is a novel that explores experiences of officers and crew of the U.S. warship Wyoming during the Civil War.

The Meeker County Historical Society invites people to celebrate the 130th anniversary re-dedication of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall.

The rededication will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at the G.A.R. Hall, 308 Marshall Ave. N., Litchfield.

Sons of Union veterans and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic will present keys to Mayor Keith Johnson.

Admission is free, and entertainment and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call Marcia Kimmerle at 320-693-8911.

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MEDICARE

Tips for moving from Health Insurance Marketplace to Medicare Open enrollment for these two marketplaces overlap, but they are not the same

T

he Health Insurance Marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act allow people to shop for coverage online or over the phone.

The Marketplaces might also be known as Exchanges. Health insurance plans sold in the Marketplaces are called Qualified Health Plans.

If someone already has Medicare and does not have coverage through their own or their spouse’s current employment, they should not make any changes to how they currently get their insurance. This means they should not enroll in a QHP for individual health coverage, because they already have Medicare.

There are many reasons it is not a good idea to take a QHP over Medicare: ◆ It is illegal for someone to sell a QHP to someone who they know has Medicare. ◆ People with Medicare are not eligible for any tax credits to help pay for QHP premiums, and full QHP premiums tend to be more costly than Medicare, Medigap or Part D premiums. ◆ There is no guarantee that a QHP will pay for health costs if a beneficiary drops Medicare to take a QHP. In many cases, when someone is eligible for Medicare but does not have it, the insurance they do have can refuse to cover most if not all of their health care costs. This means that they may have little or no coverage if they rely on a QHP for health coverage.

Be aware that Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap supplemental policies and stand-alone Part D plans will not be sold through the Marketplaces.

Different open enrollments Open

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Enrollment

for

the

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Medicare websites and helplines Many websites and people are available to offer help with and information about Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment, Oct. 15-Dec. 7: ◆ Go online to www.medicare.gov www.medicarerights.org www.medicareinteractive.org ◆ Call 800-MEDICARE (800-6334227) ◆ Call Medicare Rights Center’s toll-free helpline at 800-333-4114

Marketplaces overlaps with Medicare Fall Open Enrollment. These enrollment periods are not the same. People with Medicare should use the Fall Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) to review how they get their Medicare and make any changes to their coverage for next year.

If someone has QHP coverage that they bought through the individual Marketplaces, they should take the following steps when they are eligible for Medicare: ◆ Enroll in Medicare Part B as soon as they qualify. ◆ Drop the QHP coverage. Make sure to coordinate the end date of the QHP coverage with the effective date of the Part B coverage. ◆ After a person enrolls in Medicare, they should consider how to get their Medicare coverage. People have a choice between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.

If someone already has Medicare Part B and coverage from their own or their spouse’s current employment, the Marketplaces do not affect how Medicare works with their employer coverage. ◆ The way coverage from a current

employer works with Medicare should be the same, whether or not the employer offers coverage through a Small Business Health Options plan in the Marketplace. A SHOP plan is an employer plan purchased through the Marketplace. Depending on the size of your employer, Medicare either pays first or second on health insurance claims. If Medicare pays first, it is especially important that you keep Medicare. If you drop your Medicare coverage when Medicare is paying first, your employer plan may give you little or no coverage at all.

If someone has QHP coverage that was purchased by their own or their spouse’s employer through the SHOP and then becomes eligible for Medicare, they should talk to their employer to see whether they need Medicare in addition to the employer coverage.

After speaking to the employer, they should confirm what they have learned with the Social Security Administration (800-772-1213). Get all answers in writing, and keep records of the conversations.

Depending on the size of the employer, Medicare pays either first or second to employer plans. Keep in mind, a SHOP plan is an employer plan purchased through the Marketplace. If Medicare pays first, the beneficiary will need to take Medicare. On the other hand, if the SHOP plan pays first, they may be able to delay enrolling in Part B. Be aware that there may be different rules for purchasing health coverage through the Marketplaces for people with ESRD or for those who would need to pay a premium for Medicare Part A. If someone has Medicare due to End-Stage Renal Disease or they pay a premium for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), they may be able to purchase a QHP through the Marketplaces and to qualify for tax credits to help pay for premiums.

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McLeod County Senior Expo offers education, resources

Karen Gensmer, a registered dietitian at Hutchinson Health, talks about “Cooking for Your Health,” at the McLeod County Senior Expo. During the workshop, she made Carrot Cake Salad. Turn to Page 15 for the recipe.

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IN THE NEWS

Lori Pickell-Stangel talks about “Online Family History Research” during the McLeod County Senior Expo Sept. 22 at Hutchinson Event Center. PickellStangel, executive director of the McLeod County Historical Society, said the museum’s website has more than 9,000 images and documents on genealogy. Inside the museum is an extensive collection of books, periodicals on genealogy, vital statistics, photos, documents, and census records. For more information, go online to www.mcleod history.org.

PHOTOS BY JULIANA THILL

November is American Diabetes Month

Nearly 26 million children and adults in America have diabetes, and another 79 million are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

If you are a diabetic, your physician has probably told you to get a diabetic eye exam every year. When you have diabetes you are at risk for what is called diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is the result of damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina.

They leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision.

The condition usually affects both eyes.

The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy.

If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include: • Seeing spots or floaters in your field of vision • Blurred vision • Having a dark or empty spot in the center of your vision • Difficulty seeing well at night Often there are no visual symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. That is why the American Optometric Association recommends that everyone with diabetes have a comprehensive dilated eye examination once a year. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.

At Regional Eye Center we are committed to protecting your eyes from diabetic retinopathy Call us today to set up your yearly diabetic eye exam.

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MONEY MATTERS

From strip to chip: a new kind of payment card Moving from strip to chip cards will create a more secure environment for credit and debit card users

I

f you’ve received a replacement for your credit or debit cards in the mail lately, take a closer look. That little gold chip on the front is going to make it tougher for thieves to steal your data.

By year-end 2015, Visa estimates that 63 percent of cards in American wallets will feature this new technology aimed at derailing counterfeit fraud. The new chip adds a unique, one-time code that changes every time you use your card to make an instore payment. That automatic security code change makes your data nearly impossible to use to create a counterfeit card.

Counterfeit or “cloned” cards account for about two-thirds of instore fraud to the tune of $3 billion, according to Boston-based research firm Aite Group. The transition to chip cards is expected to be nearly complete by year-end 2017.

You’ll see very slight differences in using these cards.

First, you’ll need to insert a chip card into a new slot on a machine built for chip cards and keep it in the machine until your purchase is complete. You won’t have to swipe traditional magnetic strip on the back anymore. You will still be able to sign, enter a PIN or just pay-and-go for everyday transactions as before.

Just remember to take your card with you when the transaction is complete.

However, if you are currently using an old but unexpired card or if the business where you’re doing a transaction doesn’t have the upgraded chip card equipment, don’t panic. The strip on the back of your card will continue to work with all card terminals for the foreseeable future.

For merchants — the collective name for the stores, restaurants and other businesses where you use credit and debit cards every day — the tran-

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Be aware of scammers Scammers are finding new ways to scam people as banks and credit card companies begin sending chip cards to their customers.

Scammers are contacting some people by email posing as their credit card company and saying that in order to issue a new chip card, the person needs to update his/her account by confirming some personal information or click on a link to continue the process. Even if the email looks real with a bank or credit card company logo, companies will not ask their customers to update personal information this way.To determine if the email is legitimate, people should call the 800 number on the back of their credit card.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers other tips: ◆ Do not provide or confirm any Social Security, bank, credit card or other personal information. ◆ Ask for written proof of the debt to be mailed to you. Tell the caller that you won’t do anything until you receive a written validation notice, as required by federal law. The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor and information about the consumer’s rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. ◆ Report a fraudulent call or email by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or 877-382-4357. ◆ You should also contact the Minnesota Commerce Department’s Consumer Services Center by email: consumer.protection@state.mn.us or call: 651-539-1600 or 800-657-3602.

Nathaniel Sillin Director of Visa’s financial education program

sition to chip cards is moving along, as well.

Approximately 90 percent of business owners are aware of chip technology, and about 70 percent have already upgraded their equipment or have plans to do so, according to a recent survey by Visa.

Current estimates show that 47 percent of U.S. terminals will be able to read chip cards by the end of the year.

There’s one more incentive for all businesses to get on board with chip card technology: As of Oct. 1, liability for some counterfeit fraud shifted from the card-issuing financial insti-

New credit and debit EMV chip cards have a gold “chip” on the front that makes it more difficult for scammers to duplicate and charge fraudulent purchases.

tutions to retailers unless they are able to accept and process chip card transactions.

If you travel overseas regularly, you’ve probably already seen chip card technology in action. It’s based on a global standard called EMV and is already at work in countries moving to cashless options for private and public goods and services.

One final note: While you’re waiting for your new chip cards, you’ll still be able to use your current stripbased credit cards in new machines under their zero liability fraud protection rules. However, debit card security rules are different, so it is best to check with your bank on their guidelines so you know your funds are secure.

Bottom line: The move from strip to chip cards will create a more secure environment for credit and debit card users. However, consumers will still need to keep their cards safe and confirm the accuracy of all their spending data.

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IN THE NEWS ▲

Meeker County Senior Expo entertains

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Comic and magician Gary Tyson, right, performs a magic trick on Dwight Barrick of Darwin and Marge Theis of Litchfield during the Meeker County Senior Expo Oct. 13 at Church of St. Philip.

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Merline Duering, left, executive director of Prince of Peace in Hutchinson, and Donna Whitcomb, coordinator of Meeker Council on Aging, got into the spirit of Meeker County Senior Expo’s theme, “A Walk in the Park,” by dressing in costume for the day.

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PHOTO BY JULIANA THILL

Bruce Cottington reminisces about the LCI(G)-462, or landing craft infantry (gunboat), he served on while in the Navy during World War II. Photos and other memorabilia are displayed in a room he has dubbed the Navy Room inside his Litchfield house. Cottington, a farm moved to Litchfield in 1968.

Serving his A country at 16 Bruce Cottington, like thousands of men and women, fibbed about how old he was and entered the armed services when he was underage. Veterans of Underage Military Service are now in their 80s or 90s, and Cottington is one of the eight members living in Minnesota.

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recruiting officer, notary public and Bruce Cottington’s own mother turned a blind eye when he fibbed about his age on a form to enlist in

the Navy.

He was a sophomore in high school, all of 15

By Juliana Thill years old in 1942, when EDITOR he inquired about serving his country.

Just months earlier, Japanese aircraft had bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 1941, and World War II waged on.

“It was kind of exciting, in a sense,” Cottington said. “We believed in the cause for America. There was a strong sense of patriotism. In school, guys couldn’t wait to get into the military. We wanted to fight for our country.”

At that time, the minimum age to join the U.S. armed services was 17 with a parent’s permission. However, Cottington didn’t want to wait two more years to serve.

So, when he signed up for the Navy, he wrote

down an earlier year for his date of birth, and those who knew better didn’t say a word to the contrary.

A smile spread across Cottington’s face as he recalled why he misrepresented his age.

“The reason I lied about my age was because I was afraid that the war would be over and I wouldn’t be able to take part in it. I loved my country,” he said. “As a 15-year-old, I was gung ho, until I got into my first battle. Then I said, ‘I’m not so sure. I don’t want to be a hero, because a lot of heroes are shot.’

I wanted to get home alive.”

Cottington was among thousands of men and women nationwide who circumvented recruiting requirements so that they could join the armed forces.

While some lied about the year they were born, others altered birth certificates or dropped out of high school to fool recruiters into thinking they were old enough to serve.

In the same vein, the military couldn’t afford to turn away volunteers.

“They (the armed services) needed soldiers, and there were wars going on, so there was a lot less of a scrutiny,” said Don Dufner, veterans service officer for Meeker County. Back then, the thinking was, “‘if you want to come in, come in — Uncle Sam needs you.’

That’s how the military pulled you in.”

While a few child soldiers died in service to their country before reaching the legal age for enlistment, many returned home, and over the years have passed away as they’ve aged.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Bruce Cottington was sworn into the Navy the day after his 16th birthday.

“

The reason I lied about my age was because I was afraid the war would be over and I wouldn’t be able to take part in it.

I loved my country.

BRUCE COTTINGTON

Child soldiers Some of America’s youngest warriors were or still are members of a national organization called Veterans of Underage Military Service.

VUMS represents all branches of military, and at one time had a member who was 12 when he served in combat. Other members began serving at 13, while most were between 14 and 16 years of age.

At one point, there were about 19,000 VUMS nationwide, said Cottington, who is the appointed VUMS commander for the state of Minnesota. Today, there are about 2,500 still living across the country.

“They’re all dying. There are a lot of them that went in (the service) at age 15 and 16. I’m one of the younger VUMS members,” said Cottington,

who is 88.

Cottington is one of eight VUMS members in Minnesota.

“He is without a doubt, one of the most patriotic, amazing men I have met in recent memory,” VUMS past national commander John Henson said of Cottington. “He served his country during World War II with courage in the U.S. Navy. He continuously pursues every opportunity to further the VUMS agenda by attempting to recruit and retain men and women who served in the armed forces under age.”

There likely are veterans who are not members of VUMS, Henson admitted, and Cottington has worked tirelessly to help spread the word about the organization that naturally will

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COVER STORY

see its membership decline as more World War II veterans die.

“We are hampered by our membership requirements from any spontaneous growth,” Henson said.

The requirement to be a VUMS member is that the veteran must have been under the age of 17 when they served in the U.S. military (or under 20 years of age for women veterans of World War II).

The only other VUMS member from the Meeker-McLeod area that Cottington knew of was Cosmos resident Marvin Hackbarth, who died in 2009.

Sixteen million Americans served in World War 11. Today, there are about 855,000 World War II veterans, with about 15,000 living in Minnesota. The men and women who served in World War II are now in their late 80s or 90s, and are dying at the rate of approximately 500 a day, according to the U.S. Veterans Administration.

As a result, approximately every three minutes a memory of World War II — its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs — disappears, according to the National World War II Museum.

By 2036, it is estimated there will be no more living veterans of World War II.

A lifetime of patriotism Cottington’s strong sense of patriotism and love of his country came from his parents and siblings.

Cottington was born Jan. 22, 1927, on a dairy farm near Forest City, Iowa.

He was the 10th of 13 siblings, and had five brothers and one sister who served in the armed forces His love of water, which eventually led to his joining the Navy, started in 1931, when Cottington was almost 5 years old.

“My father decided to take a year’s vacation and leave the farm. So, we packed up seven kids in a Model A roadster, took off for the West Coast and were gone over a year. That’s when I got to see the ocean, and it impressed me. I loved water.”

When Cottington was 9 years old, his father died, leaving his mother with nine children at home and a farm to run, he said.

As World War II intensified, the then-15-year-old Cottington went to

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COVER STORY

talk to a recruiter about enlisting in the Navy, hoping to follow in the footsteps of two of his older brothers, one who was in the Army Air Corps and another in the Army Red Bull Division.

“The recruiter said, ‘you have to be at least 17 with your mother or dad’s permission,’” Cottington recalled.

So, Cottington filled out a form and wrote that he was born in 1925, which would have made him 17.

However, that was how old one of his brother’s was, and the recruiter became suspicious, Cottington said.

Aware of Cottington’s intentions, the recruiter gave the teen a new form and told him to write his birth year as 1926. The recruiter then said Cottington needed to have his mother sign the form and then have it notarized.

“I took it back to my mom and she reluctantly signed it,” Cottington said.

Then, he visited the local banker and asked him to notarize the form.

“He said, ‘you’re not 17, but I’ll notarize it anyway. I have two sons in the military, so you might as well join them,’” Cottington remembers the banker saying.

Working as a radioman He was sworn in Jan. 23, 1943, the day after his 16th birthday, and was sent to Farragut, Idaho, for boot camp.

“I was so proud to be in the Navy,” Cottington said.

He attended radio school at Farragut, and finished with top honors. The chief asked him if he wanted to stay and become an instructor.

“I said, ‘my gosh, no. I want to get into the war.’ I bugged him every day for three weeks, saying, ‘I want to go to war,’” Cottington said. Then one day, the chief said the Marines, which were part of the Navy, needed radiomen.

Cottington was assigned to serve with the Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was with the 4th Marine Division from December 1943 to February 1944. Then, he was shipped to Hawaii, where he was reassigned to a landing craft infantry that had been

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

Bruce Cottington was a radioman in World War II (when this photo was taken) and in the Korean War. Cottington of Litchfield earned seven battle stars from World War II and one battle star for his time in the Korean War. converted to a rocket-launching ship.

He served on this vessel until October 1945.

“We shipped out from San Diego to Pearl Harbor. Our first combat was in Saipan, and then we took over Tinian.

Then I was reassigned out of the 4th Marines to the Amphibian Navy to a rocketship, LCI(G)-462, which stood for landing craft infantry (gunboat),” he said. “The rocketships were designed for the first assault wave, so we could defend our Army and Marines with the landings,” he said.

The rocketship made three landings in the Philippines.

“My job as a radioman was to wait for the command from the officer in charge, or captain, and I would get that message and relay it to the commander of the ship. My orders were, ‘If you’re in position, fire when ready.’

One time we weren’t in position, and I almost sunk the other (U.S.) rocketship. We caught heck. I don’t know what happened. There was a mix up in the communications.”

Cottington was apprehensive about the Navy finding out he was underage.

“At first I was nervous. After I went overseas I lost that fear because I wished I could go home because war

was deadly. But I didn’t go home,” he said.

Military commanders responded differently when they learned of underage servicemembers, he said. “Sometimes, if a commander caught up with a young enlisted person, he would give them a choice whether they wanted to go home. That wasn’t legal at the time, but that’s what they did. I had two concerns — one, that they would kick me out, and two, I was always afraid they would send me back home, and I would be fully embarrassed.”

Unbeknownst to Cottington, he wasn’t the only VUMS member on his ship. He didn’t find out until years later that his friend, Walter “Brownie” Brown also was underage when he entered the Navy.

“We had a small crew of 65 men and officers, and were all pretty close. I didn’t know he was a VUM. We didn’t talk about it. It was one of those little secrets you don’t dare tell anybody,” he said.

After a battle at Okinawa, the rocketship Cottington was on returned to Pearl Harbor for repair and to be refitted in preparation for an invasion of Japan.

“We were told we would be the first assault wave into Japan, ‘and chances are you probably won’t return. This will be a disastrous battle,’” Cottington recalled. “We never planned to survive. So, we celebrated every night (before we were to leave). My job was to go around and get money from the guys — get a quarter, get 50 cents or whatever I could get — so I could go out and buy the booze. And I had to buy enough booze so they could party at night.”

He and his shipmates didn’t know the United States was planning to drop the atomic bomb.

“So, while we were re-arming for Japan, they dropped the first atom bomb. That was a surprise to everybody,” Cottington said.

After World War II ended in 1945, Cottington was honorably discharged in 1946, and returned home.

He enrolled at Drake University in

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COVER STORY Veterans of Underage Military Service

VUMS’ main purposes are: ◆ To establish and maintain contact with those who served in the armed forces while underage. ◆ To assure all underage veterans that there will be no retribution from the government because of their fraudulent enlistment.

VUMS has obtained policy letters from all military branches stating that underage veterans and military retirees have nothing to fear for enlisting underage. VUMS provides free copies of “Underage Veterans Handbook and Government Policy on Underage Veterans” to any underage veteran.

Life membership is available for a one-time fee of $25. For more information, go online to www.oldvums.org or call 888-OLD-VUMS (888-653-8867).

‘A good life’ Throughout his time in the military, Cottington earned one silver battle star, which is the equivalent of five battles, and three bronze battle stars for his service in World War II and the Korean War. The pins are to reflect the battles he was involved with, not for heroism, he said, wanting to clarify.

“I have seven battle stars from World War II and one battle star from Korea,” he said.

Cottington was honorably discharged from the Navy again in 1952.

He returned to Drake University, married his first wife, Florence Anderson in 1952, and graduated in 1953 with a degree in business administration.

Cottington started in the grocery business with Kroger Co. in Kansas City, Mo., and he and Florence had

three sons, Scott, Jim and John.

In 1957, Cottington was hired by Super Valu grocery stores in Minneapolis to start general field supervision and the dairy department.

He ran a Super Valu store in Blue Earth, Minn., and then bought the Super Valu in Litchfield in 1968. He spent 25 years with Super Valu before selling the store in 1979, and retiring.

Florence died in 1996, and Cottington married longtime friend Marie Rick in 2000. They later divorced but remain good friends.

Cottington is active with the Litchfield American Legion, Litchfield Veterans of Foreign Wars, and is past commander for the Litchfield Military Honor Guard.

“I think Bruce epitomizes what a veteran is,” Dufner said, “and he wants to make sure the public knows veterans are here and around everybody. Everybody knows a veteran, and it’s good to say ‘thank you’ to them for serving.”

Cottington is one of thousands of service members who used to keep quiet about having manipulated the system to enter the military. However, now, he is proud to be an underage veteran and part VUMS. “I’ve had a good life,” Cottington said. ■

Gen. John Vessey Jr. June 29, 1922 - present Gen. John Vessey Jr. was born in Minneapolis.When he was 16, he enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in May 1939, becoming a member of Headquarters, 59th Field Artillery Brigade, 34th Infantry Division.

He was called to active duty in February 1941.Vessey stayed in the Army after war. During his first 30 years of military service, he spent most of his time in combat divisions. He attended the U.S.Army Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Vessey returned to Washington in July 1979 to become the vice chief of staff, U.S.Army. President Reagan selected Vessey as the 10th chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, a position he held from June 1982 to September 1985. He retired in October 1985, and lives in Garrison, Minn., according to the Minnesota National Guard.

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Des Moines. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1947. While a junior at the university, Cottington volunteered for active duty in 1950 during the Korean War because the government needed radiomen again, he said.

He was assigned to a patrol frigate, and patrolled the northern coast of Korea on search-and-destroy missions. His job was to intercept North Korean gun carriers. He also helped Marines and Army troops out of Hungnam in December 1950.

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Veterans of Underage Military Service was incorporated in 1991, and has one requirement for full membership. Members must have been sworn into a branch of the U.S. military service before reaching the age of 17 (16 or younger for World War II Merchant Marine veterans and 20 years of age or younger for women veterans of World War II).

Other VUMS from Minnesota

Marvin Hackbarth Aug. 2, 1921 - June 30, 2009 Marvin Hackbarth was born and grew up in Cosmos and joined Company B 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota National Guard in August 1937, when he was 16 years old. He was later assigned to Company H, 133rd Infantry, a heavy-weapons company, according to “America’s Youngest Warriors,Volume III.” He served in Africa, Italy and other parts of Europe during World War II. He was discharged in September 1945, returned home and took over his father’s farm-implement business. Hackbarth died June 30, 2009.

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FOOD & FUN

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Savor the flavors of fall with these tasty, easy-to-make options

Fettuccine Pumpkin Alfredo 1 package (16 ounces) fettuccine 3 cups milk 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Chipotle Chili Pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 8 slices bacon, chopped 1 small onion, chopped Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain well. Meanwhile, mix milk, pumpkin,

Parmesan cheese, flour, pumpkin pie spice, chipotle chili pepper and salt in medium bowl until well blended. Set aside. Cook bacon in large skillet on medium-high heat until slightly crisp. Remove bacon. Drain on paper towels. Set aside. Remove all but 2 tablespoons bacon drippings from skillet.

Add onion; cook and stir 3 minutes or softened. Stir in pumpkin mixture. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Place pasta in serving bowl. Add pumpkin sauce; toss to coat well. Top with crisp bacon. Serves eight.

SOURCE: WWW.CULINARY.NET/ MCCORMICK

Crossword puzzle Across 1.Those who malign 10. Soils composed of sand, silt and clay 15. Plastic film, brand name (2 wds) 16. Cereal killer 17.Accustom to a new environment 18. Musical notation for repeat 19. Change, as a clock 20. Bolivian export 21. Sage 22. Baby’s socklike shoe 24.Adaptable truck, for short 25. Overthrow, e.g.

29. Divine retributions 31. Product quality assurance 35. Deception 36. Bypass 37. Balloon filler 38. Doctor Who villainess, with “the” 39.Alliance that includes Ukr. 40. Inflammation of the small intestines 42. Family subdivisions 44. Bond, for one 45. Biochemistry abbr.

46. Check 50. ___ of roses

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Crossword puzzle answer on Page 15 52.“A jealous mistress”: Emerson 53.Analyze, in a way 58. Choice 59. Buildings’ covered entrances 61. Busy places 62.Visionary persons 63. Lilac, e.g.

64. Plunder

ZEST | NOVEMBER 2015

Down 1. Boris Godunov, for one 2. Dash 3. Parentheses, e.g.

4. Broad valley 5. Condo, e.g.

6.Valley (Welsh) 7.A Muse 8. 4:1, e.g.

9.All in

10. Inferior 11. Sundae topper, perhaps 12.Antibody that causes cells to clump together 13. Believer in one god 14.The Rolling ___, band 22. Car accessory 23. Female sheep 25. Having I-strain?

26. Deeply thoughtful 27. Bring up 28. Crumb 30.Winged 32. Masefield play “The Tragedy of ___” 33. Little bird 34.“... ___ he drove out of sight” 38. Fix, in a way 40. Ring bearer, maybe 41. Backstabber 42. Pie charts, e.g.

43. Least cooked 47. Fleet 48. Chip away at 49. ___ throat 51. Call from the flock 53. Bundle 54. Battery contents 55. Santa ___, Calif.

56. Rectangular paving stone 57.“___ quam videri” (North Carolina’s motto) 60.Toni Morrison’s “___ Baby”

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FOOD & FUN

Corkboard Corkboard ads are only $37 a month for 12 issues!

Carrot Cake Salad CLOCK REPAIR

3 cups grated carrots 1/4 cup raisins 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup diced pineapple (fresh or canned in juice) 1 cup light yogurt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/6 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/6 teaspoon ground cloves Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve. May refrigerate for one to two days until ready to serve. Serves 8.

QUALITY CLOCK REPAIR AT REASONABLE RATES

GREG HEATH

602 S ARMSTRONG AVE LITCHFIELD, MN 55355 HOME-320-693-7476 CELL-320-221-4579 SOURCE: WWW.CULINARY.NET/ FOODANDHEALTH.COM

Pumpkin Gingersnap Ice Cream 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 cup solid-pack pumpkin 1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk 1 1/2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies Beat heavy whipping cream, extract, cinnamon and ginger in large bowl on medium speed with electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Combine pumpkin and sweetened condensed milk.

Fold pumpkin mixture and gingersnap cookies into whipped cream mixture.

Pour into 9-by-5-inch loaf pan or other 2-quart container; cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Makes 2 1/2 quarts.

Answer to Crossword Puzzle published on Page 14

We offer rides to VA medical appts at the

Minneapolis (even days) and St. Cloud (odd days) VA Medical Centers.

To schedule a ride call 320-693-5445

Don Dufner

Are you aware of your benefits?

Meeker County Veterans Service Officer

320-693-5445

Federal and State Benefits May Include: • Compensation • Pension • Vocational Rehabilitation • Dependent’s and Survivor’s Benefits • Home Loans

• Medical Care • Education • Burial Benefits • State Dental and Optical Care • Special Needs Grants

Donald.Dufner@co.meeker.mn.us Please call Don or Linda Meeker County Family Services Bldg.

114 N. Holcombe Ave. Suite 120 Litchfield, MN 55355

*Benefits subject to approval the Department of Veterans Affairs

DINING & entertainment Advertise here! Call Advertising Director Kevin True at 320-234-4141.

SOURCE: WWW.CULINARY.NET/ WWW.EAGLEBRAND.COM

• Lunch Specials Wed - Sun • Space Available for Small Parties • Meat Raffles Every Sat (Oct-Mar) • Space Available For Small Parties • Access to NFLs & ALL BIG TEN GAMES

• Nightly Dining 7 Days A Week • Event Planning • Pull Tabs, Dart Machines • Big Screen TVs • FREE Meeting Room Available For Non-Profits

BAR OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK HAPPY HOUR: MONDAY - FRIDAY 4 PM - 6:30 PM

NOVEMBER 2015 | ZEST

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We Have You Covered!

For over 30 years, Ecumen of Litchfield has been the #1 provider of quality senior housing and healthcare services in Meeker County!

Emmanuel Care Center • Medicare-certified skilled nursing, short stay rehabilitation Ecumen of Litchfield Home Care & Hospice • Medicare-certified skilled care or home maker services in your home Gloria Dei • Affordable and HUD apartments for those age 62+ Emmaus Place • Gracious senior living apartments with services as needed Bethany Assisted Living and Memory Care • Private apartments with 24-hour licensed staff BreakAway • Adult day program Monday through Friday

Call us for information or to tour any of our Litchfield locations!

320-693-2472

Ecumen of Litchfield North Housing, Home care & Hospice Campus 200 North Holcombe Ave Litchfield, MN 55355 Ecumen of Litchfield South Care Center Rehabilitation Center 600 S. Davis Ave Litchfield, MN 55355

www.ecumen.org