2019 Veterans Tab

Thank You VETERANS! It is with grateful hearts that we say

Thank You

and remember all of our service men, women & families who have given so much that we can continue to enjoy our freedoms. is Veterans Day Monday, th, November 11 2019

Veterans Day Programs ★ Albany

• American Legion will be having six ceremonies ★ Freeport • Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m at Sauk Centre • Sacred Heart Catholic School Gym, Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m. Public Schools for high school students in auditorium ★ Greenwald • Nov. 11, 10:10 a.m. for elementary • Joining Melrose Public School’s service students in high school auditorium ★ Holdingford • Nov. 11, 11 a.m. at American Legion • Holdingford Public Schools High School Gym, (free lunch provided after service) Nov. 11, 9 a.m.

• Nov. 11, 12:30 p.m. at Fairway Pines • Nov. 11, 1 p.m. Coborn’s in Sauk ★ Melrose Centre - (Free chicken dinner 11 a.m. to • St. Mary’s Catholic School, Nov. 11, 8:45 a.m., 7 p.m. for military members) St. Mary’s school gym • Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m. Holy Family School • Melrose Public Schools, Main Gym, Nov. 11, 10 a.m.

• Pine Villa Nursing Home, Nov. 11, 2 p.m.

• Albany Area Public Schools, BEAT, Nov. 11, 1:15 p.m.

★

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Albany Enterprise Melrose Beacon Sauk Centre Herald

Publications

November 6th, 2019

★ Sauk Centre

Enjoy the Veteran stories inside this special edition.

When you see a service member stop and say “ Thank You. You.””

2 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

Jumping into family, world’s history Schlichting takes part in 75th anniversary D-Day re-enactment German records vary between 4,000 and 9,000 casualties.

Luke is the son of Tom and Mary Schlichting; and grandson of Janette and the late Don Schlichting of Sauk Centre.

“It was an extreme honor to have been chosen to go to Normandy and represent the U.S. Army in the 75th D-Day commemoration over this past week,” Luke wrote on his Facebook page after the jump. “I am so glad I had this opportunity to parachute into Normandy into the exact spot where some of our heroes did 75 years ago.”

It was his family interests and traditions Among the thousands of people who came to view the drop were Luke that led to him jumping Schlichting’s (center) parents, Tom and Mary Schlichting of Andover. Tom last summer. A native of is a graduate of Sauk Centre High School. ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED Andover and a graduate of Totino-Grace High School, Luke had started at the University of St. Thomas, but

By HERMAN LENSING joined the Army Jan. 4, 2016 before graduation.

Staff Writer “My father has always had a big interest in military NORMANDY, FRANCE – Specialist Luke Schlichting history and that rubbed off on me when I was growing got in touch with a bit of family, and world, history on up,” said Luke. “It wasn't until I was in my 20s that I realized I wanted to give back and serve my country. I June 9 in France.

Schlichting, stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. with the had never really thought about being a paratrooper, but 503rd Military Police Battalion Airborne, participated the recruiter offered me the chance to go to Airborne in the D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy, a School when I originally signed my contract.”

He had three weeks of jump training which commemoration of one of the most important battles of WWII. It is estimated that 10,000 Allied troops, including concluded with five jumps from a plane. He was selected about 6,603 Americans, died in the D-Day assault. The from about 40 others to represent his unit.

Luke and about 1,000 jumpers were dropped near entire operation to secure Normandy lasted until July.

Sainte Mere Eglise during the ceremony. Most visions of the D-Day assault, June 6, 1944, show troops coming into either Juno, Omaha or Utah Beaches on the coast of Normandy. The purpose was to secure a beachhead on the European coast of the English Channel and create a north front for attacking the Axis-held mainland of Europe. The Allied forces had already started a southern front through Italy.

The commemoration jumpers were able to meet Tom Rice, who made the 1944 jump. They learned a bit of

JUMP continued next page

Luke Schlichting was among 1,000 paratroopers who jumped from planes June 9 as part of the 75th commemoration of D-Day in France.

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STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 3 the differences between the actual jump and the commemorative jump.

“The paratroopers on D-Day had many challenges. A lot of the drop zones were poorly marked and paratroopers ended up far from their intended landing point,” Luke said. “There was low cloud cover and fog covering some of the drop zones. The paratroopers also jumped from 700 feet, which leaves little time in the air before hitting the ground. There was a lot of confusion and they were being shot at. Thankfully, the anniversary jump did not have to face any of these challenges.”

The anniversary jump took place during the day, and with modern parachutes.

“We have parachutes which are called the T-11,” Luke said. “The parachutes today are still similar to the ones used in 1944. The ones we use now are slightly more of a square shape compared to the round canopies in 1944. The rate of descent is also slower on today's parachutes to prevent more injuries upon landing.”

The reenactment took place near Sainte Mere Eglise, a town which in WWII the Allied attacking force needed to control in order to prevent Axis reinforcements from getting to the Normandy coast and preventing the landings and establishments of the beach heads. The jumpers were reinforced by troops brought in by gliders during the day.

The Schlichtings had a family connection with the glider portion of the operation.

“Luke jumped into the same area where my uncle, Paul Rudnicki, piloted a glider and landed safely, carrying American troops 75 years ago,” Tom said. “I am definitely a WWII kind of buff, but I am not sure I would have made the trip but for the fact that our son was going to be there. Mary came along as well.”

It was the first time they had ever seen Luke jump. Counting the D-Day reenactment jump, Luke has made 25 jumps. The D-Day reenactment jump was part of a week-long trip for the family. Tom and Mary were able to spend the weekend and meet with Luke after the jump.

Tom and Mary’s trip included a visit to Omaha Beach, the Omaha Beach cemetery and other sites in the Sainte Mere Eglise area.

“Those were the primary places,” Tom said.

Seeing the site he had only read about or viewed in documentaries, touched something in Tom. That feeling had started even before they arrived at the drop site.

“It (the trip) was absolutely emotional,” Tom said. “I remember being in Paris on Luke Schlichting (right) is the grandson of the late Don Schlichting of June 6th. That morning, it was kind of the same weather (as June 6, 1944). Cloudy, misty, Sauk Centre. Luke visited with his grandfather shortly before his death wet. I couldn’t help but think of how these young men stepped into this unbelievable and was part of the burial service.

About 1,000 people jumped from planes during the D-Day commemoration June 9 in Normandy, France.

battle and so many of them would lose their lives. I am not sure that we as Americans maybe appreciate what was done by these young boys.”

For the French people living there, the appreciation is immense, exhibited in their care of the American cemetery.

“The Normandy American Cemetery was a beautiful place to visit and pay your respects,” Luke said. “Once you see all of the headstones you start to grasp just the sheer number of men and women who gave their life for the lives of others. It's hard to put into words what you experience there, but I would encourage everyone to try and tour the Normandy area.”

Luke was also able to visit Pointe du Hoc, where soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment climbed 100-foot cliffs to take out German artillery, and Utah beach.

On the way to Sainte Mere Eglise, Tom and Mary were reminded that D-Day is a big day in Europe. There are annual celebrations remembering the battle and other reminders that honor the sacrifice of those who came to help liberate their country.

“In Sainte Mere Eglise, they fly the American flag at the same height as the French flag,” Tom said. “The appreciation is over the top. They embrace the celebration.”

Sainte Mere Eglise became imprinted on Americans’ memories because of the movie “The Longest Day.” It depicted when the parachute of Private John Steele was caught on the church steeple in the town.

“We stayed in Sainte Mere Eglise a few blocks away from the church. Walking into the town for the first time brings you back in time. You can imagine those young men landing in the middle of the town square and fighting for their lives,” Luke said. “They still keep an effigy of John Steele hung up on the steeple with his parachute. You are easily reminded of what happened there that night and the following days.”

The flags and display are not the only way appreciation is shown. While going by train to Sainte Mere Eglise, Tom and Mary met a woman with a different family connection to the D-Day assault.

“She grew up in Normandy and was about 30 or so,” Tom said.“She told us she and her mother were going to the graveyard to tend to American graves. She is the third generation of her family to do so.”

The commemorative jump was viewed by thousands of people.

“There must have been about three miles of cars,” Tom said. “It was mainly French residents. It took me an hour-and-a-half to get back. We should have walked. Mary did walk back and it only took about a half hour.”

The Schlichtings were able to watch their son jump and float down. They knew the plane he was on and where he was in the stick (order of jump).

Besides meeting veterans of the 1944 assault, Luke and some of his group were treated to a home dinner by a local French family. Luke also made the front page of a local French newspaper.

JUMP continued on page 4

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4 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

JUMP continued from page 3

“It was surprising to see tourists from all over Europe and the U.S. come to Normandy to take part in the anniversary activities,” Luke said. “The French people are very involved in the anniversary and have a deep respect for what our men and women did 75 years ago.

They were extremely welcoming to all of us and they like to consider Normandy as the 51st U.S. state.

Luke was especially happy he could share the moment with two special people.

“I am so grateful to my parents for making the trip and being able to see me jump,” he posted on Facebook.

“I want to thank all my new friends that we made. I will never forget the veterans I met.”

Luke has military connections in his family. While Tom did not served in the military, his father and Luke’s grandfather, Don, did. Don was stationed in the United States from 1952-54 at the end of the Korean War. Luke was able to play special role in honoring his grandfather.

“My father passed away this past year,” Tom said.

“He was very sick and Luke was able come up, on an emergency leave. Luke had brought his dress uniform along and was home when my father died. My son was able to present the flag to his grandmother.”

“It (the trip) was absolutely emotional,” Tom said. “I remember being in Paris on June 6th. That morning, it was kind of the same weather (as June 6, 1944). Cloudy, misty, wet. I couldn’t help but think of how these young men stepped into this unbelievable battle and so many of them would lose their lives. I am not sure that we as Americans maybe appreciate what was done by these young boys.”

A permanent fixture at the Sainte Mere Eglise church is a commemoration of the American paratrooper whose chute caught on the church in 1944. The trooper hung there for two hours.

Luke is currently stationed in South Korea as part of the military police. For him, deciding to join the service has been a great experience.

“I would tell anyone considering the military that you get a lot of opportunities to do things that you wouldn't normally do, like jump out of planes or move to another country,” Luke said. “Don't make the decision lightly, but if you do decide to join, make the most of your time in the military and make use of the benefits.”

His time in Normandy, honoring veterans of that campaign, will always be special.

Among the remembrances of the sacrifice of troops in the invasion is the cemetery at Omaha Beach. Omaha is considered the bloodiest of the assault beaches in the D-Day attack. PHOTOS SUBMITTED

“I will remember the people the most from my visit,” Luke said. “Everyone we met was extremely grateful and welcoming. People wanted to stop and talk to us, thank us or simply take a picture with us everywhere we went.”

The 75th anniversary of D-Day put him in touch with his family and the nation’s veterans in a very personal and unique way.

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6 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 his master sergeant.

“Every company had a master sergeant, and they were like a father to you.

I went to see my ‘father’ before making the decision.

He said, ‘Don, I’ve been in the Army a long time and fighting. Do you know that that band, they are the litter bearers? When a guy gets shot you gotta pick ‘em up.’ He said, ‘I’m not going to tell you what to do, but if you stick with me, I’ll get you through this in one piece,’” Meyer recalls.

Meyer stuck with his master sergeant.

At midnight, on Jan. 11, 1945, the 5th Division landed at the Lingayen Gulf, on Luzon Island in the Philippines, a Japanese controlled Pacific Island.

“We were called the ‘comeback guys’ because we were the first troops back on the island after MacArthur (Gen. Douglas) left,” Meyer said.

Meyer was in the mine platoon.

“We didn’t handle the guns. We just laid and picked up mines and booby traps. They were very dangerous,” Meyer said.

They fought the Japanese from that January until July.

“At times there were so many Japanese bodies you could hardly walk. They didn’t pick their guys up,” Meyer said, adding, “We never left a body lay. That was a must. A body had to [be brought] back and be buried.”

MEYER Continued from page 5

A shadow box in Don and wife, Gerry Meyer’s, Melrose apartment is filled with mementos of Don’s military days during World War II, including his Purple Heart and Bronze Star, a photo of him playing in a military orchestra, Don in his uniform and his 25th Lightning Division patch.

“We laid rows of mine fields and they had to be straight. If we laid 356 mines, we had to pick up 356 mines,” Meyer said.

He explained there were short prongs sticking out of each mine. The top of the mine was unseen, just below the first layer of gravel. If a tank or vehicle drove or a heavy enough person walked over the mine, triggering the prongs,

it would go off.

The 25th Division traveled to New Caledonia, an island east of Australia, for more training. They played volleyball and went on hikes for exercise. Meyer played in a band back home and also played alto saxophone in an orchestra that was started while he was in New Caledonia.

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They’d ship in busloads of girls, so the guys had someone to dance with,” Meyer said.

A picture of Meyer playing in that orchestra is in his shadow box, next to his military picture.

After that band folded, Meyer was asked to play with the 25th Division band, which sounded like a winner to him – until he talked with

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went to the farm.

“I walked about 20 feet and a mortar shell dropped behind me, by a bunch of our guys. I had a piece of shrapnel in my back.

My best friend, Robert Crankshaw, had shrapnel in his arm, stomach and chest.

I helped get him back to the hospital. Blood was running down my legs. They put him in one tent and me in another, and they cut the shrapnel out of my rear-end.

The doctor handed it to me and said, ‘This is a good souvenir. Hang on to it.’ The next morning I went back to the tent and asked about my friend, and they said he was flown out during the night to a hospital. That’s the last I heard of him. I tried to find him, but I don’t know if he lived or died,” Meyer said of Crankshaw.

Later he would discover military records were stored in a warehouse in Missouri that burned down.

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MEYER Continued next page

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Meyer was 19 by then and, like many young men, fearless.

“When you’re 18 or 19 you don’t have any worries.

You’re anxious to see and do something new. You get over the fact that it’s dangerous. From sunup to sundown, every damn day we were in the Philippines until the war ended. You gotta make the best of it,” Meyer said, adding, “Thinking back now, I wonder how the hell I lived through that.”

Letters from home helped.

Gerry, Don’s wife of 70 years, said she and others wrote letters to men serving overseas, including Don. He said every letter soldiers wrote home and pictures they included were censored.

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STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 7

Don Meyer, on Oct. 22, pages through his 5th Infantry Division book that explains the activity of the division during World War II.

moved right behind the front line infantrymen.

The Japanese dug caves inside the mountains and hills.

“That’s where the Japanese hid in the daylight, and they’d come out at night and kill our guys. They were like cats.

They were everywhere,” Meyer said.

As the American troops moved, the Japanese would be behind them in caves.

“They called us because we had backpacks filled with dynamite. We put dynamite by the caves and asked if there was anyone in there, and if there was no answer, we’d ignite the dynamite and it would blow up the whole side of the mountain,” Meyer said.

He said fighting in the mountains was terrible.

“We’d have to bring food and ammo to the guys on the front lines.

Sometimes you had to crawl along and pull yourself through the trees. And we’d take

the wounded and those who were killed down the mountain,” Meyer said.

Filipinos would help deliver supplies to the front line.

“We had our guns loaded to protect the Filipinos carrying food and ammo because the Japanese were behind the lines shooting at us. There was one guy with a gun in the front, one in the middle and one in the back,” Meyer said.

The injured would be taken to the nearest hospital, set up as the troops moved.

Trucks picked up the deceased soldiers.

“There were names on the body bags and when we walked by, we’d look to see if there was anybody we knew,” Meyer said.

Meyer estimates for eight to 10 months soldiers took turns standing guard from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., 50 feet apart around a perimeter a few blocks long, “two hours on, two hours off,” Meyer said, adding, “If you heard a little crackle you jumped and knew to watch out.”

The Japanese wouldn’t wear shoes when they walked around, only socks, so they wouldn’t be heard.

Was Meyer scared?

You bet.

“I never prayed so many rosaries. That’s the only thing you can do sitting there scared stiff, praying.

Two hours is a long time when it’s pitch dark out.

We were happy when the sun came up, and we made it through another night,” Meyer said.

He talks about the time some guys showed up with trained dogs and took over nighttime guard duty for four or five nights.

“That was like pennies from heaven. They put a dog every 100 feet and the dogs were trained to wake up the guys with them who would wake us up if they heard something,” Meyer said.

Meyer said soldiers wore the same clothes day after day. There was no water in the mountains, which meant no showers.

Food was rationed. They slept on the ground.

“There were around 150 guys in a company and you were like family.

You worked together, slept together, played together,” Meyer said.

By August of 1945, American troops had taken over the Philippines from the Japanese and were training to land in Japan.

“We didn’t have much of a future to look forward to because they said we’d be the first soldiers to hit the shores,” Meyer said.

Thankfully that never happened.

Meyer was among the troops watching a movie on the side of a hill when they were told the war was over.

“Everybody just cried.

We were so happy,” Meyer said, adding, “I’ll never forget that.”

Meyer’s company did end up going to Japan, living at the Army base, where they destroyed grounded Japanese fighter planes, “so they couldn’t use them again. There were a couple of hundred fighter planes, and we blew ‘em all to hell,” Meyer said.

A short time later they headed back to the United States aboard a ship. Seeing the shores of California made some soldiers go wild, Meyer said.

“I thought they would jump over the side of the ship,” he said, adding, “The first thing they gave us was a pint of ice cream. After being in the service for so long we didn’t know what ice cream looked like.”

Meyer returned home to Melrose aboard a bus on Jan. 16, 1946.

“I was so excited and so damn happy I didn’t call my parents. I just came home.

I grabbed my duffle bag and walked a few blocks to where my dad was at the clothing store. I opened the door and walked in, and I think my dad just about dropped dead,” Meyer said.

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On November 11 each year, we honor the generations of men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

As we celebrate this Veterans Day, we salute these dedicated Americans for their service, their sacrifices and their contributions to our country.

Thank you, veterans, for all you have done and all you continue to do to protect our freedom and our nation.

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“My mother was shocked.

She just screamed.”

Gerry remembers the joy of Don’s parents.

“His parents were happy to see him alive,” Gerry adds.

She still has one of the two pure silk kimonos her future husband bought in Japan for her and his mother. He also sent home a couple of guns and sabers, used by the Japanese.

Meyer attended Dunwoody and worked at the Melrose State Bank.

He married Gerry and they raised their family in Melrose. Like he did before his time in the service, Meyer played with the Norb Athmann band and other bands. He joined the Melrose VFW and Melrose American Legion where he has been active in the honor guard all these years.

He’s a proud veteran, who followed in the footsteps of his father, and he now has a grandson who is a fighter pilot in the military.

In the shadow box in the Meyers’ apartment is the Purple Heart Meyer received because he was wounded during the war and a Bronze Star for getting his wounded friend back to safety. In a weathered 5th Infantry Division book, describing the action and showing photos of this division during World War II, Meyer has handwritten notes of his involvement.

Meyer treasures the memories and mementos of his time in the military.

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8 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

Walk the dog, then fly the dog Willer watches military son’s pet, ships it to Hawaii

by BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

dog parks to get an idea of what her town SAUK CENTRE – Sometimes, military needed. Loki also went on a lot of camping personnel leave family members behind trips, and through those trips, he got used to when they are deployed. Other times, they being in a dog crate. leave behind their pets. That was how Vicki “He got really used to being in a crate Willer, city administrator of Sauk Centre, because we had the dog crates underneath ended up with an extra dog for a year and a the camper and that’s where they slept at half – before she had to mail it to Hawaii. night,” Vicki said. “He got so excited to get Vicki’s son, Erik Willer, graduated in his crate all the time.” from Sauk Centre High School in 2009 Then, in 2018, Erik was assigned to and joined the National Guard in 2010. He the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Pets are commissioned full time in the Army after allowed there, but as Erik went straight to his graduating from the University of North new assignment, he was not able to return to Dakota in 2013. While he was in Missouri, the mainland to retrieve Loki. The military he adopted a Corgi/Brittany Spaniel mix he doesn’t pay or manage the transportation of named Loki. Every so often, Erik would be pets, so it was something the Willers had to gone for about a month on training, and he handle themselves. needed his mother in Minnesota to look after The Hawaii Department of Agriculture his dog. has stricter standards than most; the islands “He’d drive to Osceola, Iowa, and I’d are rabies-free, and everything is inspected drive to Osceola, Iowa, and we’d meet at a to ensure no invasive species of plants dog park,” Vicki said. “We’d exercise the or animals are brought into the protected dog, put him in my car and go back. We did environment. As a city administrator, Vicki a lot of that.” is used to wading through red tape, and the Later, Loki needed to stay a little bit process to get Loki certified for his trip had longer; in 2017, Erik got stationed in Area no small number of hoops to jump through One in South Korea, the zone between Seoul – it was no small wonder the information and the country’s border with North Korea. brochure for the process is nearly 50 pages Soldiers who are deployed there cannot bring long. families or pets, and Vicki did not want Erik “It’s a logistical nightmare,” Vicki said. to have to give away his dog, so she agreed to “You had to take a blood test six months Erik Willer and his dog, Loki, pose for a photo in Hawaii. Erik’s mother, ahead of time and send it to Kansas State look after Loki while Erik was in Korea.

Loki, though, had his name for a reason Vicki Willer, mailed Loki to Hawaii when Erik was assigned there. University to test it for antibodies, then it has PHOTO SUBMITTED – he was a high-energy dog. to go to Hawaii to the Department of Ag, then “We called him the tornado,” Vicki said. you have to log into the Department of Ag “He shed like crazy. I think that was the Corgi “Our cat is a police cat because someone threw it out in Hawaii to make sure they received it, and in him.” the window at the (Sauk Centre) Police Department 10 then take that information and put it on your quarantine Vicki and her husband, Scott, have also had another years ago, and I took it home,” Vicki said. “He schools the import form. He had to have multiple shots, and then there dog, a Springer named Cooper, for about 15 years; he and dogs. He was the boss of the house.” was the documentation and paperwork. Then they inspect Loki got along well. The Willers also have Rowdy, a cat At the time, Sauk Centre was planning to add a dog who could handle having multiple dogs around. park. With the extra dog, Vicki travelled to many different WILLER Continued on page 20

STATE BANK “We’re here to help!”

Freedom Isn’t Free Be Thankful For The Men & Women in Uniform Past, Present, & Future

320-845-2801 • 800-392-3426

34650 225th Ave. Albany, MN 56307

SALES HOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30am-7pm; Fri. 8:30am-6pm; Sat. 8am-3pm SERVICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 7:00 am-6:00pm; Sat. 7:00am-1:00pm

WWW.ALBANYCHRYSLER.COM

Proud to serve those who have served America so well!

THANK YOU!

24-Hour ATM Available in our drive-up

Member FDIC 423 Main Street South • P.O. Box 266 Sauk Centre, MN 56378 • 320-352-5771

WWW.FIRSTSTATEBANKSC.COM

10 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

Last Name

First Name

Abeln Abers Achman Achman Achman Achman Achman Achman Adrian Adrian Ahrens Aleshire Anderson Anderson Andresen Andrews Angulski Angulski Arnold Athman Athmann Averill Bailey Bailey Bailey Barhorst Barnes Barney Barrett Bartels Barten Bauer Becker Becker Becker Becker Beckermann

Alois Cal Albert Ervin Jerome John Vernon William Gerald John Gerald John Anthony I. Virgil H. David D. David L. Arnold Jack Chester Vince Norman John M. James L. Ray Art Don Jeff Bernard F. Charles W. Rick Patrick J. Don Michael George Frank Frank W. John Victor Jim

Beckermann Beckius Bednarek Beilke Benkowski Benson Berg Berg Bergman Bergner Bergner

Joe Daniel M. Frank Rudy Roger David E. David William D. Bob Amanda Nick

Branch of Military........Years of Service

.................................................................................... N/A Navy..................................................................... 20 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 MN National Guard...............Jan. 16, 1951 - Aug. 16, 1957 Army ...................................................................... 3 years U.S. Army ......................................................... 1971-1973 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy....................................................................... 2 years .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1945-1947 Army ............................................................... 1954-1957 Army ................................................................ 1969-1971 Canadian Army/American Legion..................... 1917-1919 Army ................................................................ 1952-1953 Army ................................................................ 1953-1955 U.S. Army ......................................................... 1974-1976 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1984-1986 .................................................................................... N/A Army ...................................................................... 2 years Army ................................................................ 1969-1971 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy & Coast Guard ............................... 1963-1967 (Navy) 1971-1987 (Coast Guard) U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve................................. 1962-1968 Air Force ............................................... 21 years of Service .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1953-1955 .................................................................................... N/A Navy................................................................. 1944-1948 Air Force ........................................................... 1990-1995 Army ........................................................................... N/A Navy................................................................. 1969-1973 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A

To our veterans we say Thank You! G Growth th Through Th h Accuracy A & Excellence E ll with DHIA Laboratories

Berscheid Berscheid Berscheid Berscheid Beuning Bieniek Bieniek Bieniek Birr Birr Bjerketvedt Blank Blank Blattner Blenker Blenkush Bloch Blommel Blonigan Blonigen Blue Boecker Boeckers Bohmer Borgerding Borgerding Borgerding Bosshardt Braun Braun Braun Brendle Brendle Breth Breth Breth Breth Brethorst Brick Bristol Brix Brix Bromenshenkel Bronson Brown Brown Brown Buck Buckley

First Name

Arnie Arnold P. Charles B. David E. Anthony Francis L. George Matthew Allen D. Richard Jason Alvin Steven Stephen C. Ivan Mike Tim Jordan Jerry Cody Katie David B. Dennis Wilfred John Roger Tom Harold Bonnie Bruce R. Ralph John Roy Dan Eugene L. Glen Jim Michael James J. Tom Ervin Roman Leonard H. William L. Eugene John Timothy Kenneth R. Gerald “Jerry”

Branch of Military........Years of Service

Navy................................................................. 1966-1969 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1956-1958 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army National Guard...................................1999 - Present Army & National Guard ......................................30+ Years Army .....................................................21 years 7 months .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1967-1969 U.S. Army ......................................................... 1965-1967 .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Army ................................................................4 Years .................................................................................... N/A Navy............................................................. 2014-Present Army ............................................................ 1999-Present Army ................................................................ 1969-1971 Army ................................................................ 1971-1974 .................................................................................... N/A Army ...................................................................... 3 years Army National Guard........................................ 1959-1965 Navy....................................................................... 4 years Navy....................................................................... 4 years Army ...................................................................... 6 years U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1967-1971 Navy..................................................................28 months Army ................................................................ 1942-1945 Navy/US Army............. 1943-1946 Navy, 1946-1973 Army .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Army ......................................................... 1968-1970 .................................................................................... N/A MN Army National Guard ............................1998 - Present ...........................................................................................

Marines ....................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ........................................................................... N/A Army (Vietnam Veteran) .................................. 1969-1971 Army ................................................................ 1976-1980 Army ................................................................ 1984-1988 Marines ............................................................ 1985-1989 .................................................................................... N/A Navy....................................................................... 4 years

Truckers Inn Truck Stop & Restaurant IN SAUK CENTRE • JUST ACROSS THE FREEWAY

Restaurant: 352-3429 Station: 352-5241

• Feed and Forage Testing • Manure Analysis • Milk Testing VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted

Last Name

825 12th St. S Sauk Centre, MN 56378

www.stearnsdhialab.com • Email: stearnsdhialab@stearnsdhialab.com

Honoring the Best & the Bravest!

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! American Legion VFW Post 7050 Member Benefits

Member Benefits

• Discounts - practical money saving discounts • Monthly Magazine • A powerful voice in our Nation’s Capitol • VA Benefit Assistance

• PTSD/Transitioning to civilian life services • Donations to our communities • Americanism with flag presentations/flag raising

Contact Mike Barten at

320.987.3296 or 320.250.3296

for membership information.

265 Co. Rd. 173 Melrose, MN

Contact Jim Athmann at

320.256.4980

for membership information.

37181 Springhaven Rd. Melrose, MN

With Appreciation for Your Many Sacri ces!

3/4 Miles West of the Downtown Stoplights on Sinclair Lewis Ave. in Sauk Centre, MN

320-351-2227 Centra Sota - Little Falls, MN | 320-632-3631 • Centra Sota - St. Martin, MN | 320-548-3245 Centra Sota - Upsala, MN | 320-573-2186 Centra Sota Feed & Grain - Albany, MN | 320-845-4086

12 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

We thank and honor these service members Last Name

Marlene’s Tutti Fruitti Kitchen

38914 Cty. Road 186, Sauk Centre ~ 2.5 miles East of McDonald’s 320-352-2059 • www.tuttifruittimarketfarm.com

~ WE’RE OPEN YEAR AROUND! ~

In Honor Of Veterans Day

Monday,, November 11 Monday VVeetteerarannss DDaayy 22 001169

All Vets Eat FREE

11:30 to 1:30 (Please bring military I.D.) NOW BOOKING CHRISTMAS PARTIES FOR UP TO 100 PEOPLE

*Serving meals Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ~ Bakery Open Until 4:00 p.m.

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED 320-352-3194

108 Spruce Street South Sauk Centre, MN 56378 www.waynetransports.com

WE ARE A FAMILY-BASED, PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN TRUCKING COMPANY FOCUSED ON CUSTOMER SERVICE, EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION, SAFETY AND HARD WORK.

$ 00

2

Bottled Beer & Rails ALL DAY EVERYDAY w/presentation of Military ID

526 Sinclair Lewis Ave • Sauk Centre 320-352-9942

Swany White Flour Mills

206 2nd St. SE, Freeport 320-836-2174

Thank you for your service

Dobis Dobis Doebler Doege Doege Doege Doetkott Doetkott Donaldson Doucet Douvier Dowell Dreher Drehner Druntel Dusek Dye Dyrseth Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Ebnet Eggert Ehlinger Ehlinger Ehresman Eich Eichers Eiden Eiden Elfering Elfering Elfering

Albert Simon Michael A. Donald (Pete) Paul Jr. Vernon Dennis Roger M. Charles “Chuck” Charles J. Paul Wayne R. William M. William J. Clarence Jerome Floyd. W Gerald “Jerry” Cyril Cyril F. David J. Elmer Herman Herman Jerome Jerome C. John Linus Mick Paul Simon Arthur Albert John Philip V. Ray Daniel George George Daniel T Donald Harry

Elfering Elmes Eltgroth Emblom Erdmann Essler Ethun Ethun Ethun Ethun Ethun Ethun Eugene Fedor Fedor Feia Feia Feia Feia Feia Feia (Kuba) Feitl Feldewerd Felling Felling Felling Felling

Victor J. Jim Richard Carl “Red” Charles F. Richard Dean Dennis Donald Donald Kenneth Lyle Justin Lloyd F. William N. Cyril L. Jr. Dale T. Edward McKayla Myron Myron Glenn Gary Harvey James J. Merle J. Mike

Branch of Military.......Years of Service

.................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S Navy ............................................................... 20 years Army/Air Corp. .................. Army 2 years, Air Corp 18 years Army ...................................................................... 2 years Navy....................................................................... 4 years U.S. Marine Corps. ............................................ 1953-1956 U.S. Air Force .................................................... 1955-1959 Air Force ........................................................... 1967-1987 .................................................................................... N/A Navy............................................................................ N/A U.S. Army ......................................... Jan. 1968 - Oct. 1970 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army .................................................................... 22 years U.S. Army ......................................................WWII 3 years US Army ................................................................. 6 years Army ................................................................ 1952-1954 .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1967-1969 .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1965-1967 .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1958-1962 National Guard ................................................. 1967-1971 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy Reserve....................Sept. 8, 1944-July 12, 1946 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1952-1954 .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Air Force .......................................................... 4 years .................................................................................... N/A US Air Force/National Guard ............................. 1954-1963 (Air Force), 1972-1986 (National Guard) U.S. Air Force .................................................... 1951-1954 Marines ............................................................ 1965-1968 U.S. Army ......................................................1959 to 1961 Army .......................................................................2 Years Navy.............................................. 1954-1957 Korean War Army ................................................................ 1969-1971 Air Corp .................................................................. 7 years Navy....................................................................... 4 years Army ...................................................................... 4 years U.S. Navy Sea Bees ................................................. 2 years Army ...................................................................... 4 years Army ...................................................................... 4 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1983-1988 U.S. Army ..................................................... 1990-Present Army Reserve ....................................................... 21 years Army (guards) ........................................................ 2 years Army ..................................... Sept. 6, 1966 - July 12, 1968 U.S. Air Force .............................................Jan. 1971-1974 Army ...................................................................... 3 years

Semper Fi

(Always Faithful)

S STONEHOUSE STAINED GLASS STUDIO Craftsmen and Designers in the Art of Glass www.stonehousestainedglass.com 320-356-9211

We Salute All Vets & Our Special Vet...

Daniel Krousey Sergeant E-5 2003-2010

16 S. 6th Avenue East, Melrose

www.swanywhiteflour.com

First Name

320-256-3655

Thank you for your service!

320-845-2151 | 140 5th Street - Albany | Member FDIC

MCDONALD OVewtenrean d REALTY, Inc. 1008 S. Main Street, Sauk Centre, MN 56378 320-352-1836 or Melrose Of ce 320-256-6200 Toll Free 1-877-294-5955

Thank You For Your Service!

STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 13

We thank and honor these service members Last Name

First Name

Felling Felling Fern

Ron Vern Richard P.

Fern Fiedler Fiedler Fischer Fischer Fisher, Jr. Fletcher Fowler Frank Frank Frieze Froh Fuchs Fuchs Fuechtman Fuechtmann Gamble Gamble Gamradt Gangl Gasperlin Gerads Gerads Gerads Gerads Gerads Gerads Gersch Gertken Gilitzer Gillett Goerdt Gondringer Grabmeier Greener Gretsch Groetsch Gross Gross Gross Grove Grubbs Gruber Gruenke Gruenke Grunloh Grunloh Grutsch Grythe Guinn Guinn Guinn Guinn Guinn Haagenson Hadley Hadley Haeny Hagen Hagen “Voller” Hagstrom Haider Hammarsten

Richard P. Mel Melvin Joseph (Harold) Willis T. (Tom) George R. Dennis Clarence Mike Mike (Mick) Leonard C. Dennis J. Peter J. Vernon Nicklas Roman J. Aloys David David C. Gary Herman J. Jerry Clarence Daniel Charles James. H Joseph Michael Marv Marvin J. Dr. Daron Roger M. Jerome Brian Anthony A. Jr. Lenard Richard H. Glen George Kenneth Eugene C. Martin Martin J. “Joe” Rodney E. Leslie Brandon Virgil Virgil Donald Urban Robert Dennis R. David Don Kenneth Tom William “Bill” Larry James Michael E. Steve Sara Voller Sara Doug Vincent James F.

Hammond Hanauer

Jeff Burton

Branch of Military.......Years of Service

Army (guards) ........................................................ 2 years Army (guards) ...................................................... 21 years Navy/Naval Reserve ............................... Navy 1946-1948, Naval Reserve 1948-1956 Naval Reserves ............................................................ N/A US Army ............................................................... Vietnam Army ...................................................................... 3 years .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Coast Guard ................................................... 40 years U.S. Navy ...................................................................WWII Army ................................................................ 1970-1971 .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1943-1946 Army National Guard........................................ 1968-1975 Army - NA ............................................................ 10 years U.S. Army ......................................................... 1969-1971 .................................................................................... N/A Army .......................................................................2 Years Army ................................................................ 1946-1949 Navy................................................................. 1960-1964 Army ................................................................ 1966-1969 .................................................................................... N/A Army ..................................................................28.5 years .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1954-1957 Army ................................................................ 1948-1951 Army ...................................................................... 2 years .................................................................................... N/A Army ...................................................................... 3 years Army ................................................................ 1958-1962 .................................................................................... N/A Army National Guard.............................................. 9 years Army (Vietnam) ............................................... 1965-1967 .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1981-1987 U.S. Airforce .................................................. 1948 – 1950 .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Army ......................................................... 1955-1958 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1968-1969 Army ................................................................ 1959-1961 U.S. Army ........................................ Nov. 1954 - Nov. 1956 Army ...................................................................... 3 years Air Force ........................................................... 1967-1971 Army ................................................................ 1963-1966 National Guard ............................................. 2014-Present Navy................................................................. 1943-1946 Navy................................................................. 1943-1946 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army & National Guard .......................................... 4 years Air Force ................................................................26 Years Air Force ..................................................................4 Years Air Force ..................................................................3 Years Air Force ..................................................................4 Years Air Force ..................................................................4 Years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Army ......................................................... 1960-1963 National Guard ....................................................... 7 years National Guard ....................................................... 7 years Army ................................................................ 1974-1976 U.S. Army ...............................Dec. 14, 1954-Dec. 13, 1956 Army & Air Force ............................................. 1945-1947, 1981-1984 (Army) 1953 (Air Force) Navy............................................................................ N/A .................................................................................... N/A

Countless Thanks To Our Veterans

LLONG PRAIRIE PACKING CO. P.O. Box 148 • Long Prairie, MN 56347

320-732-2171 • HOME • FARM • AUTO • BUSINESS • HEALTH • LIFE

Phone: 320.356.9440

Agency

108 Avon Avenue N. • Avon, MN www.schmidtinsuranceagency.com

CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR OPERATION Upper Midwest Pumping • Specializing in Custom Pumping and Drag Hose Applications

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Licensed & Insured • 40+ Years of Combined Agricultural Experience (and that’s just between the two owners)

UPPER MIDWEST

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21171 US Hwy. 71 Long Prairie, MN 56347 Tim 320-247-3857 Brian 320-293-2703

Saluting our Veterans!

Thank You fo!r your Ser vice

siness, u b n o g n i s u Foc l returns a u d i v i d n i farm &

Wee S W Salute alute oour ur Veterans!

Veteran nss!

Ron Moritz Construction, LLC

Sauk Centre • 320-352-1332

Lic #20230001

Rousslang Transfer 33 - 12th Street South Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Freight • Grain 320-761-9977 • 320-980-1107 320-212-0153 • 320-980-4396

Stop in for a Cold One! Located 10 Mi. No. of Brooten on Co. Rd 18 or 7 Mi. So. of Sauk Centre on Hwy. 71, then 5 Mi. W. on Co. R. 22.

PADUA

PUB

320-352-2683 Honoring our Veterans!

Mondloch, Inc. Thank You Veterans

320.548.3255

125 Main Street St. Martin, MN 56376 Fax: 320.548.3705

STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 15 Last Name

First Name

Konsor Konsor Konsor Koopmeiners

Andrew A. Barb Jeff Gerald

Korn Korn Korn Kortan Kortan Kortan Korte Korte Korte Korte Kraemer Kraker Kramer Krick Kroska Krueger

Chris Sheila (Odegard) Brandon Dennis Louis C. Mark Dennis Frederick J. Kenneth F. Raymond I. Ervin Charles P. Mike Justin T. Cyril J. Daniel

Krych Krych Kuehne Kuehne Kuehne Kuehne Kuepers Kuklok Kurtz Kurtz Kurtzman Laing Laing Laing Lane Lane Lang Lang Lang Lange Lange Lange

Jerome T. Joseph Robert Robert L. Ronald H. Ronand Richard L. Timothy P. Henery Peter Henry B. J. Bernie Fritz Robert Robert J. Joe Joseph Robert Adolph Adolph B. Alfred

Branch of Military........Years of Service

.................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Marine Corp./National Guard........ 1961-1964 (Marine Corp), 1975-1981 (National Guard) Air Force ........................................................... 1983-2003 Air Force ........................................................... 1987-1994 Army ................................................................ 2009-2013 Army National Guard............................................ 21 years Army ................................................................ 1952-1954 Army .................................................................... 12 years United States Air Force ........................................... 4 years U.S. Air Force .......................................................... 8 years U.S. Navy ..........................................June 1968-June 1972 U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1942-1945 Navy................................................................. 1960-1970 U.S. Army ............................................................ 20 years Marines ............................................................ 1961-1964 Army (Purple Heart) ......................................... 2005-2007 .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corp./ Air Force ...............1963-1966 (Marine Corp) 1967-1984 (Air Force) .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A ............................................................................. Vietnam Air Force ........................................................... 1962-1966 National Guard ................................................. 1966-1972 ............................................................................. Vietnam .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1995-2015 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1918-1919 Army ................................................................ 1955-1957 Army ................................................................ 1953-1955 Army ................................................................ 1955-1957 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy.................................................June 1968-June 1972 U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1963-1967 Army ................................................................ 1954-1958 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A

Last Name

Lange Langner Larkey Larson Larson Larson Lauer Lawinger Lawrence Lee Lemke Lemke Lentz Lilienthal Lindeman Lindeman Lindhorst Linz Litchy Litchy Lobitz Loehr Lomheim Losey Loxtercamp Loxterkamp Luethmers Luethmers Lundberg Lunde Lunser Luskey Luzius MacArthur Macey Macey Macey Machtemes Machtemes Maddox Maehren Maehren Magnuson Maidl

First Name

Scott A. LeRoy Lee R. Eric Eric James Ralph Levi Terwey Jerome Jim Michael B. Jerome B. Brian Albert Vernon Tony F. Donald O. Ronald J. Wilfred Michael F. Leander Terrace L. Christopher Robert John John Linus C. Art Oliver Krystal Robert Joseph Douglas A. Marshall J. Marvin Marvin J Lawrence Peter Jim Ralph Robert M. Kevin Ron

Branch of Military........Years of Service

.................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ............................................................ 1991-Current US Military .................................................................. N/A Army ................................................................ 1958-1962 Army ................................................................ 1942-1945 Air Force ................................................................. 7 years Army National Guard........................................ 1958-1965 Air Force ........................................................... 1967-1971 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A National Guard ................ Honorably Discharged Oct. 1963 Marine ................................................................... 6 years Army ...................................... (plus Army Reserve) 2 years Army ...................................................................... 2 years United States Air Force ........................................... 4 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corp...................................................... 1924-1927 .................................................................................... N/A Army/National Guard ....................................... 1969-1975 Army ...................................................................... 3 years National Guard ................................................. 2005-2011 Army ................................................................ 1962-1967 MN Army National Guard ..................................... 31 years U.S. Army ......................................................... 1965-1967 U.S. Army .............................................................. 2 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy .............................................. 5 years active duty Marine Corp...................................................... 1966-1968 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army .............................................................. 2 yrs service Army ................................................................ 1953-1955 U.S. Army ......................................................... 1953-1955 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1965-1967 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1973-1977 .................................................................................... N/A

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Thank You, Veterans

Honoring those who served.

We Salute and say THANK YOU to all our veterans and their families for the sacrifices that you’ve made to keep our country’s freedoms!

MY LAND. MY MASSEY.

TM

Implement 23661 Hwy. 4 , Lake Henry, MN

inc.

(320) 243-7411

www.blackfinancialservices.com

320.356.9031 110 Avon Ave. N., Avon, MN 56310

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC

16 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 Last Name

First Name

Maile Maile Maine Majeski Maleska Malikowski Mareck Marstein Jr. Marthaler Marthaler Marthaler Marthaler Marthaler Marthaler Marthaler Massman Massman Mayer Mayer McBride McCann McDonald

Nickolas William J. Robert C. Rich Ted Elroy Dennis Donald Alcuin Arnold Arthur David Larry Virgil Wilfred A. Fred Frederick John Richard “Rick” Randy Rex Jennifer A. Jean

McLain McNamara Meagher Jr. Meer Meier Meier Meissner Meissner Melton Menken Menth Mergen Mergen Messer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer

Gary April Michael James Nathan Roman Ryan J. Charlie Katie Larry Dan Cyril Chris Robert Gary Adoph Aloys Bernard Bernard H. David David C. David C. Elmer L. Eugene J. Jerry

Branch of Military........Years of Service

.................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1966-1968 .................................................................................... N/A U. S. Army .................................... Jan. 5 1966-Jan. 5 1968 National Guard ............................................................ N/A National Guard ............................................................ N/A National Guard ............................................................ N/A National Guard ............................................................ N/A National Guard ........................................6 years of service National Guard ............................................................ N/A Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 U.S. Army ......................................................... 1954-1956 .................................................................................... N/A Navy................................................................. 1988-1996 Air Force ............................................................... 22 years Minnesota Army National Guard ..............28 years -Current LTC (RET), United States Army ..............................30 years, 3 months, 25 days U.S. Marine Corp............................................... 1983-1993 National Guard ............................................................ N/A Army National Guard............................................ 12 years Air Force ...................................................................... N/A Army ............................................................ 2004-Present Army ............................................................ 2000-Present Air Force ...................................................................... N/A Air Force ...................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1985-1993 Navy & Army Aircorps ...................................... 1942-1946 Marines ....................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ...................................................................... 2 years .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 Army ............................................................... 1955-1957 Army ................................................................ 1955-1957 Army ...................................................................... 2 years Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 Army ...................................................................... 2 years Army National Guard.............................................. 6 years U.S. Marine Corp............................................... 1952-1954 Army ................................................................ 1968-1969

Last Name

First Name

Meyer Meyer Meyer Meyer Middendorf Middendorf Mikkelson Miley Miller Miller Miller Miller Miller Miller Jr. Mills Milo Minette Minnerath Moberg Moening Mohs Molitor Molm Molus Morgel Morgel Morgel Morgel Moritz Moritz Mrosla Mueffelmann Mueller Murray Musburger Musolf Nathe Nathe Nathe Neal Nelson Netter Netter Newell

Kenneth D. Loren T. Mark Philip Dave Victor Bruce William J. Andrew Arthur Dean B. Gene Roy Michael W. Marvin Timothy Chad Roman John Robert “Bud” Dean R. Tyler Craig Alfred Frank Jr. Frank Sr. Paul Steve Leander Leroy H. Arthur J. Gary Michael Leo Jerry Roland Gerald James H. James L. William Marlo D. Edward Peter Michael

Nieland Nienaber

Dennis Garrett

Branch of Military........Years of Service

U.S. Air Force .................................................... 1979-1983 US Army ........................................................... 1960-1963 U.S. Airforce ..................................................... 1979-1983 Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 Army ................................................................ 1973-1978 Army ...................................................................... 2 years Army ................................................................ 1970-1972 US Army ..................................................................3 Years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Marine Corp............................................... 1986-1992 U.S. Army ............................................................... 2 years .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Marine Corp............................................... 1953-1956 .................................................................................... N/A Army ............................................................ 2000-Present Army National Guard.................................... 2001-Present .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ................................................................. 4 years U.S. Army ......................................................... 1961-1963 U.S. Air Force .................................................... 1965-1969 Air Force ....................................................... 2014-Present Air Force Veteran .................................................. 35 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army National Guard........................................ 1959-1965 Army ........................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1960-1968 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army Reserve & National Guard ....................... 1956-1990 Navy.................................................Nov. 1962-Sept. 1966 .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corp...................................................... 1966-1969 U.S. Marine Corp............................................... 1966-1969 Navy................................................................. 1968-1970 Marine Corp ....................................................1961 - 1965 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy/National Guard .............................. Navy 1970-1972 National Guard 1987-2007 Marine Corp...................................................... 1969-1970 Air Force .............................................. Feb. 2014 - Present

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STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 17 Last Name

First Name

Nienaber Nordine Notch

Jason Howard “Bud” Alcuin

Nugent Nugent Nummela O’Brian Olloman Olmscheid Olmscheid (Brendle) Olson Olson

Eugene Henry Gary Michael Don John Lavina Everett R. Gordon

Olson Opatz Opatz Opatz Opatz Opatz Opatz Opatz Opatz Orth Otte Otte Pagel Pagel Pagel Paggen Pallow Pallow Pannek Pannek Pederson Perlinger Peters Peters Peters Peters Peterson Peterson Peterson Peterson Petron Pfeifer Pfieffer

Virden Claude Claude Edw George Jackie Marlin William A. Jessica Phil Elmer Sandra Gray Allen Donald JoHann “John” Mike John John L Alfred Sr. Alois Bob Leo R. George Jerome G. Richard Robert Arden Gene Mark Paul Mark Vern E. Phil

Branch of Military........Years of Service

National Guard ............................................2008 - Present Marine ................................................................... 2 years Army .................................. 3 years active, 2 years standby & 2 years active reserve Army ................................................................ 1944-1948 Army .......................................................... Served in WWI Army ................................................................ 1973-1976 .................................................................................... N/A Marine ................................................................... 6 years U.S. Army ...........................................Jan. 1968-Oct. 1970 Army/Guards............. Army 1969-1976 Guards 1976-1991 .................................................................................... N/A Army/Army Reserve ...............................Army 1970-1972, Army Reserve 1974-1994 Air Force ................................ April 17, 1946-Oct. 17, 1947 Army ................................................................ 1955-1957 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Military ....................................................................... N/A U.S. Marine Corp..................................................... 3 years MN Army National Guard ....................................... 8 years Army .................................................................... 22 years Army ................................................................ 1965-1977 Army ................................................................ 1963-1966 Army ................................................................ 1985-1992 .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ............................................................... 23 years Air Force ........................................................... 1951-1974 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1962-1966 Army .................................... June 13, 1955-June 14, 1957 Army ................................................................ 1952-1954 Army ................................................. May 1955-May 1957 Marine Corp.........................................Nov. 21, 1951-1954 Air Force ........................................................... 1954-1958 Navy....................................................................... 4 years Marine Corp................................................................. N/A Navy................................................................. 1965-1969 .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1957-1959 Army ................................................................ 1970-1972

Last Name

First Name

Pflipsen Pflipsen Philippi Phlipsen Pierskalla Pierskalla Pietrowski Pilarski Pilarski Pilles Pintok Pischke Pogatschnik Pollreis Poptlewell Posch Posch Posch Powers Prestino Primus

Harold Terrance Jason J. Harold Leander Rebecca James M. Clemens DeWaine L. John Raymond Paul Edwin Robby Steve Angela Marvin L. Stephen Mark Adam Mark P.

Probach Proell Pueringer Pueringer Quackenbush Quinn Quistorff Quistorff Quistorff Rachey Rachey Rademacher Rademacher Rademacher Raden Raden Radtke Raeker Rahn Ramseyer Rapp Rasmusen Rath Ratke Rausch

Kevin R Michael Robert Robert Leo Frank Jeff Mike Richard Daryl Gerald Chad Gary N. Mary M. Lawrence Nicholas Brad Eugene Harvey Christopher Jerome G. Merlin Sylvester Manrad Le J. Alphonse

Branch of Military........Years of Service

Army ................................................. Aug. 1942-Oct. 1945 Army ..................................................Feb. 1968-Feb. 1971 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Army ......................................................... 1963-1966 Army ................................................................ 1952-1954 Army ................................................................ 1952-1954 .................................................................................... N/A US Navy.................................................................. 4 years National Guard ............................................................ N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1990-2011 Navy..................................................Nov. 1979-Aug. 1985 Army ............................................................ 2004-Present U.S. Army & Army National Guard ...............3 years (Army) 19 years (N.G.) Navy....................................................................... 5 years Army .......................................................................6 Years Army ................................................................ 1965-1968 .................................................................................... N/A Army Air Corp ..........................................................2 Years Army .................................................................... 1979-82 Army National Guard............................................ 11 years Army ...................................................................... 2 years U.S. Army ......................................................... 1974-1996 Air Force ............................................................ 26+ years Navy................................................................. 4 1/2 years Military ....................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ...................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1953-1955 Air Force ........................................................... 1959-1962 Army ................................................................ 1990-2010 Army ...................................................................... 2 years Army .................................... Nov. 10, 1945-May 13, 1947 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A

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18 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 Last Name

Read Reiling Reisdorf Reuter Ricker Rindahl Ritter Ritzer Ritzer Roberson Robischon Roche Roehl Roehrl Roehrl Roelike Roerick Rohe Rolfes Ronyak Ronyak Ronyak Rooney Rosner Ross Rousslang Rule Rule Rumzel Ryan Ryan Rybaczuk Sabrowsky Salzer Salzer Sanchez Sand Sand Sand Sandberg Sauerer Sauerer Scegura Scegura Schauble Schirmers Schirmers Schirmers Schleicher Schlicht Schlichting Schloegl Schloegl Schmainda Schmainda Schmid Schmid Schmid Schmid Schmid Schmidt Schmidt Schmidt Schmidt Schmiesing Schmiesing Schmit Schmit Schmitt Schneider Schneider Schneider Schreder Schultz Jr. Schurman Schwab Schwalbe Schwalbe Schwieters Schwieters Schwinghamer Schwinghamer Schwinghamer Schwinghamer Schwinghamer Schwinghammer Sell Sell Sell Sells Senart Senger Senger Shabel Sieben

First Name

Harold Gary P. George Wayne Ronald Bruce E. Kenneth Adolph Reed Mark Michael Frank Randall D. Arthur P. Melvin “Mel” Ken Maria Othmar Allen Bernard Bernard G. Robert M. Mike J. Michael Jim Richard J. Justin Samantha Zitur Jake Bill Joe Ryan DuWayne H. Frank Lawrence Rodney Lawrence Maynard T. Rembert A. Rebecca Melvin Michael Ludwig Ludwig John Denis Stephen A. William Cory Michael Don James A. Thomas J. Charles Ronald Donald E. Frank A. George A. Lee B Terrence Kenneth A. Raymond G. Roger F. Ronald S. Lisa SSG. Lisa A. Ernie Ernie Martin Denis John H. Raymond Eugene Richard Eugene E. Terence J. Alex C. Cyril Joseph A. Nicholas Chris Craig Joseph Joseph Thomas Roger David Jeffrey Larry John Rudolph Chris Chuck Duane V. Aaron

Branch of Military........Years of Service

Air Force ........................................................... 1963-1967 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army .......................................................................2 Years U.S. Air Force .................................................... 1960-1964 Navy...................................................Oct. 1965-Aug.1969 US Navy............................................................ 1959-1963 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy................................................................. 1982-1986 Navy & U.S.S. ................................................... 1966-1970 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1943-1945 Navy................................................................. 1945-1946 Army Green Beret................................................... 4 years Coast Guard ................................................................. N/A U.S. Army ............................................................... 2 years National Guard ............................................................ N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1958-1962 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1966-1968 Army ................................................................ 1967-1970 U.S. Navy ................................................................ 3 years Army ........................................................................... N/A Air Force ...................................................................... N/A Air Force ...................................................................... N/A Air Force ..................................................................8 Years Army .......................................................................2 Years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corps ................................................... 1953-1957 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ............................2 years active duty/6 years reserve Air Force ..........................................................1947 - 1951 Air Force ........................................................... 1952-1956 Army ........................................................................... N/A Marines ............................................................ 1941-1945 Army ................................................................ 1966-1968 Army ...................................................................... 3 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army National Guard.............................................. 6 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ........................................................................... N/A U.S Navy Air ..................................................... 1961-1964 Army ...................................................................... 2 years Navy USN. ........................................................ 1982-2005 U.S. Army ........................................................ 1983-1985 Navy Seabees ......................................................... 2 years .................................................................................... N/A Air Force .....................................Nov. 4 1940-Oct. 31 1964 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army Air Force .................................................. 1943-1946 .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1961-1964 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Army .................................................................... N/A Army ...................................................1995-2016, Retired Army ................................................................ 1971-1973 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1955-1959 Army ...................................................................... 3 years Army ................................................................ 1957-1959 .................................................................................... N/A Army .......................................................................3 Years U.S. Air Force .......................................................... 4 years Army .............................................................. 17 1/2 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1972-1974 US Military .................................................................. N/A Army National Guard.............................................. 7 years Army National Guard........................................ 1984-2004 Army National guard .............................................. 4 years Army National Guard.............................................. 2 years Army National Guard........................................... 1.5 years Army National Guard.............................................. 7 years Air Force .................................................. 24 years-present Marine Corp......................................................... 6.5 years Air Force/Army Guard/Air Guard.........................27.5 years Air Force ................................................................. 5 years .................................................................................... N/A Army .................................................................... 30 years Army .................................................................... 13 years .................................................................................... N/A Navy....................................................................... 6 years

Last Name

First Name

Sieben Sieben Sieben Sieben Sieben Sieben

Dennis Eugene Oswald Paul Robert Dave

Silbernagel Skwira Smith Smith Smith Sobotta Soenneker Sogge Solarz Solarz Solarz Solarz Solinger Solinger Solinger Soltis Sorquist Sowada Sowada Spanier Spooner Springer Springer Stalberger Stang Stegura Stepan Stevens Stiles Stiller Stock Stock Stodolka Storie Straub Straub Streit Stresnak Strom Strutzyk Studer Studinski Stueve Suchy Sunderman Sundermann Super Swedenburg Symanietz Szczawinski Tarnowski Tegels Terhaar Terwey Terwey Thang Thell Thell Thell Thielen Thielman Thielman Thielman Thielman Thielman Thielman Thome Thompson Timp Toenies Toenyan Tomsche Traut Tschida Tschida Tschida Pierce Tucker Turner Turner Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uhlenkamp Uphoff

John Tyler Fred Herbert William Bruce Joe Erik Derrek Derrek D. Felix Joseph Herman Andrew Andrew Rick John Rick Stanley Stanley Joseph Roger Arthur Edward L. Paul Anthony Marvin Walter Patrick L. Michael Chris Donald S. Adam Anita Jim C. Sr. Jim Robert, Jr. Robert, Sr. Stanley Elmer Martin Richard Sally Albert Arnold B. Jerome James A. Roman James Quint Stanley Joseph Andrew Stanley Eric Jack Arthur B. Lawrence Everett Daniel David R. Roger B. Paul U. Delroy J. James A. Jerry Robert Jr. Sylvester Theodore Alois Laurel Gene Patrick Donald J. Gary Robert Victor J. Harold Rick Nancy Caleb Randy Todd David Donnie Ernest Lyle Randal Carl Robert Roger Vern Bill

Branch of Military........Years of Service

U.S. Marine ............................................................ 6 years Navy................................................................. 1948-1950 Army .......................................................................1913-?

Army National Guard.............................................. 2 years Army .......................2 years Army 20 years National Guard Army Infantry................2 year of active duty & 24 years of army reserve duty Air Force .....................................3 years, 1 month, 25 days .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corp...................................................... 1974-1976 Army ................................................................ 1966-1969 Army ............................................................ 2004-Present Marines ....................................................................... N/A Marines .................................................................. 4 years US Army ................................................................. 2 years .................................................................................... N/A Army ................................................................ 1954-1956 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy................................................................. 1976-1990 Air Force ........................................................... 1996-2008 Army ................................................................ 1961-1963 Army ...................................................................... 2 years .................................................................................... N/A Air Force ........................................................... 1954-1974 Navy................................................................. 1960-1964 Navy............................................................................ N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corp...................................................... 2006-2010 Army ........................................................................... N/A Army .................................................... 2006-2010 OIF 7-9 .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A U.S. Marine Corp.................................Oct. 1964-Dec. 1968 Army ...................................................................... 3 years Army ...................................................................... 3 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A National Guard ............................................................ N/A Army ..................................................................................

Army .................................................................... 20 years Navy ..................................................................10.5 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Marine Corp./Air Force............................................ 7 years U.S. Navy .......................................................... 1964-1966 .................................................................................... N/A Army National Guard........................................ 1958-1965 Marine Corp...................................................WWII 3 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Navy....................................................................... 4 years .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A .................................................................................... N/A Army ...................................................................... 2 years Army ................................................................ 1968-1972 Army ............................................................. 1956 & 1957 MN Army National Guard ................................. 1971-2000 Army ................................................................ 1955-1957 Air Force ..........................................................1950 - 1954 U.S. Army ......................................................... 1946-1947 MN Army National Guard ................................. 1970-1977 U.S. Air Force .................................................... 1973-1994 Navy............................................................................ N/A MN Army National Guard ................................. 1974-1997 MN Army National Guard ............................. 1997-Present Army ................................................................ 1954-1957 Army ................................................................ 1960-1962 Army ................................................................ 1953-1955 Army ................................................................ 1961-1963 Army National Guard........................................ 1982-1988 Army ................................................................ 1968-1970 Army ................................................................ 1968-1970 Army National Guard........................................ 1962-1968 Air Force .......................................................... 1969-1973

20 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

WILLER Continued from page 8 for any kind of plant matter that might be in the kennel or on the dog before you ship it out of there. It has become a booming industry for third-party industries to do this for people, but I was too stubborn to pay the extra money. Fortunately, my daughter, Kristin, is a veterinarian, so she really helped out a lot.”

Loki had rabies shots in Missouri, and the record of those shots was needed as well. Erik had to call the place where Loki was adopted to get those records, as the agency would not release the records to Vicki.

“A lot of people ship their pets to Germany with a lot less hassle than shipping a pet to Hawaii,” Willer said. “I don’t think shipping would have been as bad if I didn’t have to go through all the quarantine and import forms, because that was the part that made me the most nervous. If one thing was wrong, if they would stick (Loki) in 120day quarantine and we’d

have to pay by the day for that.”

Another factor that made Vicki nervous was the fact that United Airlines was flying the dog to Hawaii, and this was at the time when the airline was taking bad press for the dogs that had died on their flights. However, when Vicki brought Loki to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, the staff seemed to be taking extra care of the dogs, transporting them in a heated minivan and making sure they were the last ones on the plane and the first ones off.

Vicki felt a little bad when she had to zip-tie Loki into a special crate for the flight, but the dog didn’t mind at all.

“He loved to go camping, so I put him in the crate and he was just as happy as can be in there,” Willer said. “I think that helped when it was time to ship him because he loved his crate.”

Vicki kept track of the flight through an app on her phone and texted Erik

Loki takes a nap.

City administrator Vicki Willer, mother of Erik Willer, stands in front of Sauk Centre City Hall March 18. Vicki looked after Erik’s dog, Loki, while Erik was stationed in South Korea, later mailing Loki to Hawaii when Erik was reassigned. PHOTOS SUBMITTED “He texted me that to get updates. Fortunately, the flight was on time; Erik he had the dog and he was was able to pick up his dog in the car,” Vicki said. “I expected Loki to be a mess before the airport closed. when he got there, but he wasn’t. He was riding in the front seat with his head out the window, so I guess he was happy.”

When Erik is reassigned, there is a good chance he will be sent back to the mainland United States, and then he will just be able to take his dog with him as luggage. In the meantime, Loki stays at Erik’s townhome with a small fenced yard, great for chasing birds.

Erik is now a captain and is getting his own command Nov. 7; Vicki and Scott will be flying out to Hawaii for the ceremony, so they will get to see their son and his dog again.

“We’re pretty excited about that,” Vicki said.

“Even though we called him the tornado, I’m very attached to that dog.”

Loki (right) and Cooper, a Springer owned

by Vicki and Scott Willer, play tug-of-war with a chew toy.

! u o Y Thank

To everyone that has served our country we say…

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STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 21

“Talk to Them” VA, community can help veterans through physical, mental issues

by BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

Cory Vaske, a Stearns County Veteran Service Officer, visits Sauk Centre Oct. 23. Vaske encourages the central Minnesota community to help with outreach to veterans. PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

STEARNS COUNTY – Through its programs and initiatives both new and old, Veterans Affairs (VA) is continuing to help members of the military with physical and mental health issues.

However, in order help isolated veterans, the VA encourages communities to reach out and make sure their former protectors keep their sense of purpose.

“We need community engagement and education regarding suicide prevention and mental health problems of veterans,” said Cory Vaske, a Stearns County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO).

“We need awareness of the signs and symptoms, but also some training for individuals and community members to know how to interact with somebody who might be exhibiting symptoms or suicidal ideation. In the community I grew up in, everybody wanted to mind their own business. There’s some benefits to that, but at the

same time, we’ve got to recognize that there is a need at a community level to be engaged and looking out for each other.”

All CVSOs are veterans themselves; Vaske was deployed in Iraq from 2005-07. When he returned, he wanted to work with veterans in some capacity, and so he joined Stearns County in 2015.

This was one year after the scandals broke with the Phoenix Veterans Health Administration, prompting investigations into the department’s apparent negligence as well as the Veterans Choice Act, allowing veterans to receive health care from a community provider rather than waiting for a VA appointment.

Today, the Choice Act is being replaced by the Mission Act, passed in 2018 and implemented June 6, 2019.

“The Choice Act was pushed through really quickly, and after they

implemented it, there were continuous modifications all the way up until the point it expired to try to get it to work the way congress and legislators intended,” Vaske said. “The Mission Act came about as a result of a continued need of health care access in the community; it was intended to be more of a long-term solution for care in the community in addressing gap areas where the VA either can’t provide care or can’t provide it in a timely manner.”

Veterans’ medical needs can vary based on the deployment they were in; Vaske has observed that veterans from the Vietnam War have had more health issues than other veterans, even ones from the Korean War or World War II. Some of the issues are due to the soldiers’ exposure to Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides.

HEALTH Continued on page 22

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22 • STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019

Veterans’ Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Ext. 1. Messages can also be texted to 838-255 HEALTH Continued from page 21

Veterans of the more recent Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts could have injuries including burn pit exposure and chemicals, and their symptoms can be harder to identify.

“DOD (Department of Defense) and the VA have been aware of it, but we haven’t gotten anywhere concrete at this point regarding certain conditions that are related,” Vaske said.

“There are some vaguely associated lung conditions and some neurological stuff that they suspect, but they haven’t come out with official recognized condition being related to certain exposures.”

However, the most difficult symptoms to spot are often psychological.

Vaske does not think veterans’ mental health issues have increased over the past decades so much as the public’s awareness of the issues; in the past, the problems were likely dismissed as shell shock or battle fatigue.

“I think the issues never got dealt with,” Vaske said. “People came back and got busy with work, and it probably did have an impact on their life and their family’s life, but it just wasn’t discussed. In more recent years, there have been cultural changes that have happened, and perceptions began to change, as well as our understanding of mental health. As our understanding and culture have changed,

We Salute You Veterans!

we have perceived the need to be very great; it’s not as if the need has ever changed, it’s just our perception of the issues has evolved.”

Much of the training veterans have received to deal with mental health issues is fairly recent as well.

“In my deployment in 2005, we got some training before we were deployed about some signs and symptoms and that there are resources out there, and we got some training when we came back,” Vaske said. “But, if you look at Vietnam or even the earlier parts of the Afghanistan war, they weren’t getting that information, and support networks didn’t exist when they came back either. Factors based on

loss of mission can lead to a feeling of a loss of purpose, which can play a role in veteran suicide.

“When you’re in the service and your purpose is clearly defined for you, you are basically following orders in a very structured environment,” Vaske said.

“Then, you come back to communities where you don’t really feel like your thought process is consistent with the majority of people around you, you feel a little alienated and isolated.”

Vaske believes the community in which the veterans live should be actively engaged in making them feel less isolated.

Vaske also sees this kind of outreach as beneficial for the agricultural community, who have also been facing

“You come back to communities where you don’t really feel like your thought process is consistent with the majority of people around you; you feel a little alienated and isolated.”

Cory Vaske the veterans’ heritage and upbringing can also play into how their mental health is affected after service, especially in regard to their sense of purpose and how it ties into their identity and sense of self-worth. People often link their identities with their military mission; when transitioning back into the community, the

problems with suicide.

Community initiatives have been popping up in recent years; for instance, there is one growing suicide prevention and awareness coalition out of St. Cloud that serves the Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties and other areas of Central Minnesota. “(Support) can begin

with social institutions – churches, towns, businesses – where they’re at least talking about and doing training on recognizing signs and symptoms, and talking about how will we, as an organization, address these kinds of things,” Vaske said. “There are a lot of people that are starting to get some traction in the local area. I’m hopeful we can try to consolidate some efforts at some point to improve our effectiveness.”

Vaske encourages veterans who may have mental health concerns to call the veterans’ crisis line: 1-800-273-8255, Ext. 1.

Messages can also be texted to 838-255.

“The St. Cloud VA system also has a full spectrum of mental health care,” Vaske said. “If someone’s at a point of crisis or maybe just before that point, I would encourage them to call the crisis line.”

Ultimately, though, it may be up to the community to help the servicemen and women who have protected them in the past.

“If you don’t know your neighbor, how do you know what’s changed for them?” Vaske said. “How do you know to be concerned if you don’t know them?

In smaller communities like Sauk Centre, I imagine people know their neighbors more often around here than in larger cities, but be engaged. Talk to them.”

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STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 23

Brotherhood

Posch’s military experience carries into VA work

by DIANE LEUKAM | STAFF WRITER

ALBANY – Brotherhood can be described as a relationship or link between people with a common interest. Stephen Posch of Albany understands brotherhood. Growing up on a dairy farm three miles north of Opole, he is the fifth child in a family of 12; he has five brothers.

Posch has a different sort of brotherhood with his youngest sibling, Paul, that of serving in the military.

Twice, the two were deployed at the same time, once in the same unit.

Stephen is retired from the Army National Guard after 21-and-a-half years of service, while his youngest brother, Paul, still serves at Camp Ripley.

“He was deployed with me both times; we were in the same company the first time, in the same platoon,” Posch said. “I was a section sergeant he was enlisted E4.

We deployed our first time in 2004-05, in Kuwait for one year.”

Posch describes Kuwait as being a friendly country whose citizens were more than happy to have the United States military there. The U.S. provided support to the country whose military bases had all been bombed

by Saddam Hussein prior to Desert Storm in 1990, when the U.S. pushed the Iraqis out of Kuwait. It was a strategic location for the U.S. “That’s where all of our assets were going into Iraq,” Posch said.“They had major ports that the military could use to get our tanks and equipment in and out of Iraq.”

In Kuwait, much of Posch’s time was spent washing that equipment. During those years, as units came out of Iraq, their equipment rotated out along with them, and was shipped back to the United States for thorough servicing.

“We had wash racks for washing equipment when we brought it back from Kuwait,” Posch said. “Everything had to pass customs and we had to get all the sand and dirt off of it so we washed it and washed it…a lot of the time we ran a wash rack 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

After around 2006, the equipment was serviced in Kuwait.

While in Kuwait, the Posch brothers saw one another on most days, or at a minimum, two or three times a

Stephen Posch of Albany (left) and his brother, Paul Posch, are pictured July 14, 2005, in Kuwait, just before their return to the United States. They were deployed a second time to Iraq, from 2008-09. PHOTOS SUBMITTED week. They did not work on the same shifts, which were 12 hours, so often they only saw one another in passing.

When they returned to the U.S., their unit was disbanded; Paul stayed in Camp Ripley, while Stephen was promoted to an aviation brigade, which was in St. Paul at the time.

Soon it was 2008 and the brothers were being deployed once more, this time to central Iraq, to Joint Base Ballad.

“Paul stayed there most of the time [but] we weren’t in the same unit,” Posch said. “He was in a fuel company

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Many in Stephen’s unit worked in aviation, some as pilots and others in charge of the maintenance of 120-some helicopters. Some of the helicopters were

BROTHERHOOD Continued on page 24

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BROTHERHOOD Continued from page 23

seven or eight will be back time and Chinooks with the double propellers time again. The other 140, he will never on top for hauling troops and gear, and see again. the rest were Blackhawks.

“You have to reflect back on how “After so many hours a helicopter many we see every year and how has to go in [for service] – like an oil many come back,” he said. “We are change for your car,” Posch said. “It making a difference, because the ones would take anywhere from a month we make a difference to never come to six weeks to do. They would take back through the program. You get everything off the helicopter and put cards that say, ‘10 years ago you saved it all back together and then do all the my life. I was going through a divorce, I test flights on it again.” lost my house, now I’m back to being a Through it all, there would be lawyer and I have a good job and I have incoming mortar or missiles at varying a new family. My kids still won’t let me degrees. into this life but I am slowly working “Alarms would sound and you my way back into their life.’ That kind would have to get into the bunkers,” of thing makes you feel good knowing Posch said. “When we first got there it we were able to right the ship and get happened more frequently than when it going back in the right direction. we left.”

That ship doesn’t have to sink; it’s not a That was in 2009. total loss. That is rewarding.”

“I think about how we were treated Being a veteran, Posch when we came back from the military understands the programs available to and how proud that made us feel, both help veterans, and how to steer them me and my brother,” Posch said. “In in the right direction. What he would Dallas, they had a big welcome party. like to see more of from the military Volunteers shook hands and gave hugs itself is them providing a buffer zone when we were getting off the plane.” for those getting out of the military Veterans Day each year reminds and getting back into the civilian life, him of that welcome home, and of Stephen Posch is pictured standing inside a Chinook during his 2008-09 to desensitize them from some of the others he considers to be brothers. deployment to Iraq. The large helicopters have double propellers and were things they had to do and see. And, to His fellow veterans, those from used to haul troops and gear. the loss of the brotherhood.

Vietnam, received a much different “When you are in the military you homecoming. have this sense of brotherhood and “I can’t imagine what that would have been like for is designed to help veterans get back on track and kick obligation for one another,” he said.“In the military your the Vietnam era vets coming back and having to change their addiction. The incidence of addiction is high. home life is your work life. You are there and that’s what out of their uniform before they got off the plane,” he “I would say right now, from the current wars, you have. Not only are you together during the day, said. “To be treated that way when they came back, like probably at least 40-50%,” he said. “The rest I would say, but in the evening you’re playing cards or going to the they had a say in what they were asked to do.” are Vietnam era veterans coming through with their gym or sitting around talking. Once you are out of the For Posch, every day is Veterans Day. He retired from more serious life events. They are older with multiple military that’s gone.” the National Guard in 2011, but since 1998 has worked problems like alcohol addiction, diabetes and other When the soldier arrives home, that connectedness as an LPN at the VA in St. Cloud. He sees the effects of conditions bringing them down as well.” is hard to reestablish with people who have, in a way, war on the people he serves every day. He has worked in The fact Posch is a veteran helps him immensely moved on in their daily lives without them. three sectors of the VA; 10 years in hospice; three-and-a- in his work. Veterans who do not want to burden their “Their life still keeps going over here and when half years in the ventilator unit and the last eight in the families with their problems open up readily, making it you get home you think it’s going to be the same as it mental health unit. easier to help. Often, they are not proud of what they was when you left, and it’s a year later and everybody’s They provide residential treatment for everything had to do. There are nightmares, and lack of sleep which grown and there’s a different routine,” Posch said. from PTSD to addictions with alcohol, cocaine, heroin affects the rest of their lives. To cope, they have turned to He enjoys working at the VA, though, and feels the and methamphetamines. The 30-45 day programming other things. Often, the adrenaline rush of the war zone large organization has the most up-to-date and cuttingis replaced with addiction. edge methods of working with PTSD. “The hardest part with “From WWI to WWII to the Vietnam era, the VA has my job is you don’t see the progressed with what shell shock is, what PTSD is,” he success stories, you just see said. “I think it has to do with a lot of building trust; the guys that are there for veterans can trust an organization that is going to take the third and the fourth care of their health needs. We have a lot of different time,” Posch said.“You don’t programs that are very effective. They also want to see the success stories do this community-based outreach. That’s a plus for where they come through veterans, and anytime they can meet their service treatment one time and needs so they don’t have to drive 120 miles to a VA I they go back to their think that’s a good thing.” job. You see the different To Posch, Veterans Day brings back what it means to levels of the lowest low for serve his country, and remembering how past military different people. When you members were treated. have veterans that know “They were just asked to suck it up and go on with your first name because life, with all the things that they had to do and see,” he they’ve been to treatment said. so many times that’s hard.”

He has spent his life for those soldiers and this Still, he knows they are brotherhood, doing his best to make a difference. helping veterans. With 147 beds in the unit, he knows

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Stephen Posch (right) stands in an Iraqi village in January 2009, along with the mayor (left) and his assistant.

STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 25

A short moment in life, an experience of a lifetime Christenson recalls yearlong deployment to Kuwait Tanya Christenson holds a medal of recognition and her photo from basic training Oct. 24 in her home south of Freeport. Christenson served a yearlong tour in Kuwait during the Iraq War. PHOTOS BY ANDREA BOGERDING

by ANDREA BORGERDING STAFF WRITER FREEPORT – At just 17 years old, Tanya Christenson had a lasting experience that would change the way she saw the world for years to come.

Christenson enlisted in the MN Army National Guard, completed 12 weeks of basic training and completed four months of job training during her junior and senior years of high school. Then, within one year of enlisting, she was deployed to Kuwait in 2004 during the Iraq War. The experience of enlisting and ultimately being deployed was something Christenson said she will never forget.

“My dad always said that I had talked about enlisting for as long as he can remember,” Christenson said. “I think it was something I always wanted to do.”

Christenson grew up on a dairy farm south of Freeport. Her parents, Carl and Kathy Schulzetenberg, milk 60 cows on her family’s farm where today she works in partnership with her father. Knowing she ended up where she started out – on the family farm – Christenson is grateful for her time overseas.

“It was good to leave for awhile and to have that experience rather than just farming,” Christenson said. “I was so young when I went there – no family and not married. I actually enjoyed being there.”

Christenson found out during her four months of job training in Virginia as a fueler for a 77 Fox, that her unit – the 434 MSB out of St. Cloud – would be deployed for a 12-month tour stationed in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The mission for her trucking unit was to haul up-armor, armor used to protect vehicles, to units stationed at the Kuwait/ Iraq border. Christenson left just before her high school graduation in May 2004.

Upon arriving at Camp Arifjan, Christenson realized her unit was highly anticipated.

“We were the first unit to come over that was half female,” Christenson said.“They actually wanted to make sure we were all safe because there were so many males already over there and they all knew we were coming.”

Upon their arrival, Christenson said they were treated as any other infantry unit.

Initially, Camp Arifjan was a temporary camp, but during Christenson’s stay, barracks were built making the camp a more permanent encampment.

“The amenities were nice compared to when we were traveling up north,” Christnson said.

Christenson’s duty included traveling north about 400 miles. Traveling in convoys of 4-6 semis with three people in each truck, they would travel for a week at a time to the Iraqi border. Although trained in fueling, Christenson drove semi more than fueled trucks.

CHRISTENSON Continued on page 26

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STAR Publications Veterans Salute Special Edition ★ November 6, 2019 • 27

Tanya Christenson (back, left) stands with the crew she went on missions with in 2005 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. This group received an Excellence Award for completing missions to the Kuwait/Iraq border. Behind them are the trucks similar to what they drove to haul equipment.

Tanya Christenson is pictured with “battle buddy” Tischel (Rugland) Schwegel after completing basic training in 2004.

The history and significance of Veterans Day On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On Nov. 11, 1919, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be "filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for

the victory." There were plans for parades, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11 a.m.

In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving.

The Congress also requested that the

president should "issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Nov. 11 and invite the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples."

An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) was

approved on May 13, 1938, which made Nov. 11 in each year a legal holiday, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later, World War II required the largest mobilization of servicemen in the history of the United States and later the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954, the veterans service organizations

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effect in 1971. However, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on Nov. 11.

In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on Nov. 11 from 1978 onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on Nov. 11.

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