Veterans Day
A special publication of the
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Land of the free Because of the brave.
We proudly honor and remember those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and the great sacrifices they made.
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Celebrating America’s veterans
GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS PHOTOS
Manistee brothers honored with trip to D.C.
BY BARBARA GOSSELAR DAILY NEWS CORRESPONDENT
H
arold and Art Olen of Manistee feel appreciated. The brothers, both World War II veterans, were feted in October with an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., where they were celebrated and thanked for
to visit commemorative war sites. There are volunteer groups across the United States devoted to making these flights happen, includArt Olen ing the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight volunteer group in their service. Traverse City, which selects Honor Flights are orgaveterans for Honor Flights nized to fly groups of vetand arranges these events. erans to Washington, D.C., “My son Steven lives in Big
‘The whole trip was tears, it was a tear-jerker.’
Rapids and engineered the whole thing,” Harold said. “It took a full year for this to all go through.” Steven also asked whether Art wanted to come and, of course, he did. “The whole trip was tears, it was a tear-jerker,” Art said. On Oct. 12, the Olens went
to Traverse City to stay at Lake Ann Lodge with a group of 61 World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans, including two women. A mail call followed breakfast on the morning of Oct. 13, and the veterans were presented with thankyou letters written by CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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school children and delivered by a pony. Art said each envelope was labeled, “From a Grateful Nation to (Name of Veteran).” The veterans were then transported by three buses to the airport where, Harold said, “The plane got doused by water cannons by the Traverse City Fire Department as a send-off.” The flight was delayed, making their arrival an hour late, but Art said the brothers still managed to fill their day with commemorative sight-seeing. “(We) missed the Vietnam Memorial, but we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Korean Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial,” Art said. “We saw the changing of the guard and the laying of the wreath.” Harold explained that the
| THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016
‘We went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Korean Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial... We saw the changing of the guard and the
laying of the wreath.’ Art Olen brothers had state trooper escorts wherever they went during the trip. “Every vet had a guardian and every guardian had a wheelchair,” Art said. “They didn’t want us to walk at all.” Harold’s guardian was his son, Steven, and Art’s guardian was his son, Jim. During World War II Harold was a personal bodyguard for Gen. Douglas MacArthur. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
We Salute Our Veterans
To all of our veterans and active-duty military, we thank you for your service.
GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS PHOTOS
Honoring Our
Heroes LARSON'S SELF STORAGE
958 N. US 31, Scottville, MI
231-757-3775
Office: 263 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington
Saluting Those Who Served
7242
845-
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“I was in B Company 738 Police Battalion, where we were in charge of a general prisoner and prisoner of war stockade when my commander called me in and said, ‘Olen, you’re going down to Manila. You’re going to be a personal bodyguard for MacArthur,’” Harold said. Harold’s job was to keep everyone at least 6 feet away from MacArthur, and the position took him to Corregidor, one of the most heavily bombed spots during the war. He was there with MacArthur for a celebration of Philippine independence. Art’s service was in the United States at various military bases, where he was trained to be a paratrooper. “I was on a Korean ship and had myself packed and in line when my commander told me, ‘You’re going to Ft. Lee (Virginia) to a heavy drop company,’” he said. His time at Ft. Lee was spent training to drop heavy loads of equipment and supplies. Upon their return to Traverse City after their Honor Flight, the Olens and the other veterans were greeted by a welcome line that stretched on both sides between the plane and the buses. There were more than 300 people, including school children, and
GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS PHOTOS
200 American flags along the path. “Every veteran got a little teddy bear from a child,” Art said. The bears had tags that read, “These bears are made and stuffed with love. Our way of saying thank you.” The Honor Flight was a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served our country, and an opportunity for a grateful community to thank them for their service.
Saluting thoSe Who Were there Stan Bennette Associate Broker
5492 W. US 10, Ludington
(231) 690-1190
sdbennette@greenridge.com
Former Marine Staff Sargent. 1st Marine Air Wing, Vietnam Veteran
‘Every
veteran got a little teddy bear from a child.’ Art Olen
Mason County’s
Oakview MEDICAL CARE FACILITY 1001 Diana Street, Ludington, MI 49431
(231)845-5185
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Bill Swan gives back
BY BARBARA GOSSELAR DAILY NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Honoring veterans is an essential part of Bill Swan’s life. He is the elected chaplain for American Legion Post 76, and each year Veterans Day is an especially busy
Koren War veteran will serve as chaplain for local services day for him. This year he will serve as chaplain for services at Oak View, Longfellow Towers, Mason County Central High School and Tendercare, as well as lunch at the Legion, as veterans are honored in our community. Swan’s own military story
begins with his enlistment in the Army in 1951 before the Korean War. “I was in the States for a while and then I was in Japan on occupation duty. When the Korean War broke out, two days later I was in Korea. “That’s how you get to travel,” he said with a smile.
Swan really doesn’t like to talk about his combat experience. Although he was part of a combat signaling unit, he was mostly out in the field. Swan had no winter clothing because he was sent over to Korea in the summer.
| THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016
JEFF KIESSELL | DAILY NEWS
“It was very cold in Korea — sometimes 40 degrees below zero,” he said. All he could do was try to put on additional layers if he had them. The Korean War is often thought of as the “forgotten war,” but Swan’s service CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
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like that of so many veterans, was a life-changing experience. His real pride is in serving the American Legion Post as chaplain and officiating at military funerals and other events recognizing veterans. Using the “Officers Guide,” he performs the committal ceremony, guiding the honor guard (for presentation and retiring of the colors), bugles (for taps), and riflemen (for the salute) through the important rituals of honoring the deceased veteran and his or her family. There are readings and prayers for various aspects of the service, including the folding and presentation of the American flag to the family. “It’s real hard when you do one of your close friends,” he said. But he feels privileged to serve in this role for friends and strangers alike. Part of what sustains Swan in his own faith and in his role as chaplain is meeting Thursday mornings at 8:30 to have breakfast with pastors and his friends in the Four Corners Churches (Emmanuel, Bethany and Victory Lutheran and Grace Episcopal), where Swan says the group does a lot of praying. He recruited some of these pastors and others for the counseling tent during the Vietnam wall installation, and they were available for anyone who needed to talk about the experience of remembering the departed soliders. Swan proudly collects Tshirts and hats commemorating his interests and events in which he has been involved. He shows these
‘When the Korean War broke out, two days later I was in Korea... That’s how you get to travel.’ Bill Swan
off proudly. “(I have) probably 400 hats and about six or seven drawers full of T-shirts,” he said. There may well be another T-shirt and hat for the 100year anniversary of American Legion Post 76 that will take place in 3 years, and
he hopes to still be serving as Post chaplain for the celebration. In the meantime, he will continue to be a fixture at military funerals and other events honoring the veterans and the community through his unique ministry as chaplain.
JEFF KIESSELL | DAILY NEWS
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Veterans Day events in Mason County America’s heroes will be honored throughout the country Friday — and Mason County is no exception. Ceremonies to remember and celebrate local veterans begin at 10 a.m. at Mason County Central High School. The event will be presented by he Mason County Allied Veterans Council, and the public is encouraged to attend. The ceremony’s speaker is Walter Taranko, and music will be provided by the MCC high school band, along with a combined color guard of local veterans. Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital will also be celebrating our local veterans Veterans Day on Friday at the flagpole adjacent to the hospital’s main entrance. The American flag will be raised by Army veterans Bruce Visniski, director of surgical services, and
Paul Hein, MRI technologist. The National Anthem will be sung by Richard Ruiz, patient services representative. Those unable to make the trip to MCC or Spectrum are welcome to attend local ceremonies at Longfellow Towers, Sherman Oaks Manor, Oakview Medical Care Facility and other locations.
CEREMONIES FRIDAY: 10 a.m. — Longfellow Towers 10 a.m. to noon — Mason Co. Allied Veterans Council @ MCC High School (Program at 11 a.m.) 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. — All day free meals for veterans, Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grille, 3881 US-10, Ludington 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. — Sherman Oaks Manor 2 p.m. — Oakview Medical Care Facility 2:45 p.m. — Ludington Woods Assisted Living 4 p.m. — Tendercare of Ludington
DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO
Veterans are honored each year in the Mason County Central high school gymnasium.
America’s Veterans: Standing Tall for Freedom
PROUDLY SERVING AND REMEMBERING THOSE WHO SERVED
We proudly salute America’s veterans and active-duty military for their drive and dedication, contributions and courage. Their commitment to our country and our freedom has protected us for generations, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. We honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have fought, sacrificed and served their country with pride.
We thank you, veterans and soldiers.
KING FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES Family Owned and Operated
McDonald’s PRECINCT SINCE 1898
Corner of James & Dowland Downtown Ludington, MI
843-9495
301 N. Jebavy Dr., Ludington, MI 49431 (231) 425-4412 HOWARD VANDERLAAN, Manager 2370 N. 72nd Ave., Hart, MI 49420 (231) 873-3415 BRADLEY R. KING, Manager www.kingfuneralhome.net
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Local war hero to be honored Veterans from Mason County, as well as those from all over the nation, will be honored at a new memorial in Ludington’s Stearns Park beginning this next summer, according to the Mason County Allied Veterans Council. The new Veterans Mall will feature what is called in art circles a time-and-ahalf bust, meaning larger than life size, of William Charette, a Ludington native and Medal of Honor recipient. There will also be a sculpture honoring the service and sacrifice of all veterans. The Veterans Mall will be situated in Stearns Park adjacent to the existing War Memorial, near the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and will be dedicated in a ceremony on Sunday, June 25. “The new Veterans Mall will be a wonderful place for solemn reflection to honor the heroism of Bill Charette and the dedication to our country of all of our veterans,” said Bob Gancarz, one of the organizers of the Veterans Mall. The large William Charette bronze bust and accompanying bronze informational plaques are being sculpted by California artist Paula Slater. The second statue, also by Slater, will capture the spirit of service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans from each branch of the military. “The Ascent of Heroism,” is a bronze sculptural design that includes seven figures from seven different American-
An artist’s drawing shows what the new veterans’ memorial at Stearns Park will look like when it is completed. It is planned for the center of the park, adjacent to the current memorial to veterans in the park.
fought wars swept up in a swirl of feathers and wings. This sculpture is being made possible by a generous gift from the Milan “Bud” Reed family. Local veterans and residents have gone to the War Memorial at Stearns Park to honor area veterans ever since it was set in place there on April 3, 1958. Officers and directors from a Memorial Association of the Allied Veterans Council raised $1,600 that year to
construct and place that memorial. The new expanded and lighted memorial area will feature impressive flagpoles bearing the service flags of all branches of the military, including the Merchant Marine flag. At the center will be a landscaped circular area with seating, and in its middle will be the bust of Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Charette. Flanking the monumental
bust will be several bronze informational panels telling Charette’s impressive story. Larsen’s Landscaping is partnering with the new Ludington Tree Committee and they will plant Cleveland select pear trees along the sidewalk and lollipop crabapple trees surrounding the circle. William Charette was orphaned at age six and was raised here in Ludington by a bachelor uncle. He joined
the United States Navy following his high school graduation from St. Simon in 1950. Charette was awarded the nation’s highest honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty in battle on March 27, 1953 during the Korean War. He repeatedly assisted wounded and dying Marines while under heavy enemy fire, including throwing himself across the body of a CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
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shore Drive in Stearns Park and continue West toward Lake Michigan. wounded Marine protectA paved walkway flanked ing him from an exploding by sculptured trees and enemy hand grenade. flowers will lead visitors to Though wounded himthe central reflection area self, Corpsman Charette continued aiding wounded and the sizeable William Charette bust and plaques. comrades. The Ludington City CounBill Charette was also cil approved a request to chosen by President Harry construct a veterans’ memoTruman to be the selector rial at Stearns Park during of the unknown soldier its meeting on Sept. 26. from Word War II. In order to make way for In 1958, aboard the heavy cruiser USS Canberra, Cha- the expanded Veterans Mall, three trees have been rette selected one of two removed from Stearns Park coffins with remains of by the city. unknown WWII soldiers. The sculptures in the VetThose remains are in the erans Mall will be part of the Tomb of the Unknowns in area’s Sculpture Trail which Arlington National Cemwill bring the total number etery. of statues along the trail The Veterans Mall will to 19 located throughout begin at the current War Mason County. Memorial just off of LakeFROM PAGE 9
We Thank You For Your Service
To our men and women in uniform:
From the bottom of our hearts
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Local veterans services
at the post as well as those who are part of the local Coast Guard staThe Mason County Allied Veterans tion. Membership is open to those who Council is an umbrella organization served in any branch of the armed that includes the American Legion, services during specific years. The VFW posts in Ludington and Custer Post Commander is Lou Wolven. For and the Amvets. information on how to join, contact Pat Lange is the commander of Pat Lange, (231) 794-7847 or Lou the council and also historian at the Wolven, 843-2718. Ludington American Legion. “We are looking for more vets Each organization serves veterans to join,” said Lange. He said it is in a different way and membership important for returning service requirements differ as well. men and women to be able to “sit All of them were founded to help down and talk to a fellow brother returning veterans find companionor sister. Sometimes they hold stuff ship and aid in finding resources for in and this is a chance for them to the veterans and their families. open up.”
MASON COUNTY ALLIED VETERANS COUNCIL
AMERICAN LEGION POST 76
American Legion - Edwin H. Ewing Post 76, founded in 1919, was named after a WWI veteran. The Legion, located at 318 N. James Street, is open to members and guests for social events and meetings throughout the month. Several special groups are part of the Legion, including the Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, Legion Riders and the Honor Guard and Color Guard. Sons of the Legion is for those who are not veterans but have a parent or grandparent who is a veteran. The Legion Riders have a special interest in motorcycles. PTSD group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month. The Honor Guard takes part in funerals and remembrances for deceased veterans and the Color Guard has taken part in ceremonies at football games, Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities. Both are composed of the same men and women, but serve different functions. They are all volunteers for this special group. In addition the Legion offers members the opportunity to consult with a VA officer on Wednesdays, and with the post service officer to learn about the availability of benefits. Various social events take place each week including dinners and dances. Any service man or woman currently on active duty is welcome
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS - VFW POST 6842 Veterans of Foreign Wars - Delbert E. Brimmer VFW Post 6842 started in Ludington in 1987. As the name indicates, members have served in wars around the globe. Veterans must have had “boots on the ground” said Pat Lange. Those who were in the armed services during wartime but were not in combat zones are not eligible to join, but may join the Amvets or American Legion. Meetings are held monthly at the American Legion. To join or for information call Commander Stan McCullen, 845-8587.
CUSTER VFW GOLD BAR POST • Custer VFW Gold Bar Post has its own clubhouse in Custer on Route 10. Membership requirements are the same as those for the Ludington post. Social events open to the public such as steak dinners and Thursday night dances are fundraisers for the post. In addition there is an auxiliary for those who have a parent or grandparent who was a veteran. For information call Commander Lyle Hanson, 757-3353 or the Post, 757-9665.
Veterans and was founded after WWII and chartered by Congress in 1947. William Charette Post 82 was founded locally in 1982 and named after the local Navy Medal of Honor winner. Unlike the American Legion or VFW, membership is open to any honorably discharged veteran who served from WWII to the present in any branch including National Guard. Meetings are held at the American Legion. For information contact Commander Lou Wolven, 843-2718.
who have “fallen through the cracks” and have been unable to obtain help through other agencies. Funds are available for emergency needs to Mason County veterans “faster and with less red tape” than through some other sources, said Hemmer. Money for the fund is raised primarily through donations, but two recent events, the Lake Jump and the traveling Vietnam wall, have also helped to increase the endowment. Each year, the Lake Jump chooses a charity or group to receive the pledges and this VETERANS ENDOWMENT FUND year it was the Veterans Endowment In 2009 Budde Reed and Rick Fund. Hemmer said there was money Plummer, both Vietnam veterans, left after meeting all the costs of the established the Veterans Endowment wall and that money was also given Fund, which is administered through to the endowment fund. the Community Foundation. Since If you wish to donate, or if you are then Michelle Hemmer and Gary Fer- a veteran in need of help, contact guson have also become board mem- Michelle Hemmer, (231) 690-5845 bers. According to Hemmer, the fund or Rick Plummer, (231) 852-0685 or helps veterans and their families email michelle.hemmer@gmail.com
REMEMBERING
THOSE WHO
SERVED
This Veterans Day, we honor and give thanks to all veterans who served and sacrificed to ensure our freedom.
TIRE & SERVICE, INC. www.rootstire.com rts@t-one.net
1944 W. US 10 (Between Ludington & Scottville)
392 Veterans Rd.
AMVETS The name stands for American
231-757-4761
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WELCOME VETERANS AND FAMILIES! We are proud to be chosen the only Vets-Cars approved dealer in the state of Michigan. With our excellent customer service and low low prices, we have vowed that our service member's will receive a superior vehicle buying experience. Come and experience the difference here at Urka Auto Center. We’d like to invite all Veterans and their families to stop in on November 11, 2016 and let us say Thank You For Your Service. Be certain to sign our “Military Wall of Honor”.
Come share cider, coffee and donuts with us, all day. We are open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Thank You Veterans Free Alignment Check With an Oil Change and Tire Rotation (A $34 Value)
URKA AUTO CENTER CHEVROLET • BUICK
OFFER GOOD UNTIL NOVEMBER 18, 2016
URKA AUTO CENTER
www.urkaauto.com
3736 W. US-10 (TOLL FREE) 888-462-8752 • (231) 845-6282