2021 Veterans Tab

Civil War style baked beans support veterans cemetery Burtrum event began in 1897

BURTRUM – There are a number of events dedicated to preserving memories of veterans and those who served.

Few have the longevity of the one in Burtrum. Like many events last year, it was cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns. This year town residents again worked together for a fundraiser, started long ago to help a veteran organization and its auxiliary.

“It’s been going on for 125 years. So far, I know it has been a continuous event,” said Ron Strassburg, mayor of Burtrum and an organizer for the annual baked bean fundraiser. “I really don’t know what started it. It used to be what the Women’s Relief Corps did a long time ago.”

The WRC was an auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic. It continues to preserve research of records and documents that pertain to the Civil War and GAR. The GAR was founded by Civil War veterans as a fraternal and advocacy group. It dissolved in 1956 after the death of the last member in Duluth.

Among the GAR activities was the purchase of land for cemeteries. In Burtrum, that site is the Moses Dane GAR Cemetery. In 1897, the GAR held a bean bake to raise funds for the land. It became a tradition of support for the cemetery.

“One of the Civil War Veterans, Moses Dane, is buried there,” said Strassburg.

Moses Dane (1815-93) was born in Vermont and

By HERMAN LENSING Staff Writer

at some point moved to Wisconsin. His headstone says he was with the 13th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He served from Oct. 28, 1861 until Feb. 8, 1864, according to the regimental records, when he was discharged for a disability. The regiment served in Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. It was disbanded in December 1865.

The GAR hit on the idea of the bean bake and used it to raise funds for the cemetery at Burtrum. The first year the dinners were sold for 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children; it cleared $19.05 in profits. From there, the event was used to help raise funds for maintenance of the cemetery.

More than the GAR is a Civil War influence on the event. Whether by coincidence or planning, the use of beans is fitting. Various records from the Civil War, time and again, speak favorably of the baked beans served to the soldiers in camps. One historian called them the first convenience food.

Strassburg didn’t know the exact origins of the recipe that’s followed, but said it has been used for a number of years.

“I’ve only been helping 15 years or maybe 20 years,” he said. “We are kind of the fourth generation of our family to work on it.”

Baked Beans continued page 4

Seth Strassburg stirs ingredients, such as side pork, as the beans simmer and boil Oct. 1 in Burtrum. The tradition of a bean bake goes back 125 years.

The Moses Dane GAR Cemetery in Burtrum was established in 1897 with proceeds from a bean bake. ALL PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

One person who has him beat is Janet Schinski, who has worked at the event for 70 years. She started when she was 10 years old.

“My dad told me not to spill coffee on anyone,” she said. “I did spill on one lady.”

Today she is in charge of the potatoes, which she says are prepared with a secret ingredient. The potatoes are just one of the menu items prepared for the fundraiser. The work for the event begins almost two months ahead of time with a planning meeting. When September comes, there is work every weekend.

“We’ve been meeting three weekends now,” Strassburg said Sept. 24 in a phone interview. “One weekend we had to make the noodles. We gotta get the rutabagas and that taken care of on another weekend. There is another weekend for the chicken. Normally, we do that on weekends because we need all the help we can get and the weekends is when we can get enough help.”

The main course, the beans, is prepared the final weekend. Cooks from

Baked Beans continued page 5

Steve Marty tests the flavor of the broth from beans Oct. 1 in Burtrum. When the flavors and textures of the beans were right, he pronounced them ready for burying in coals; Marty has been helping prepare the beans for 49 years.

Waiting for the boiling beans to finish cooking are (from left) Ron Strassburg, Brian Van Havermaet and Seth Strassburg. It took a bit over an hour for the 100 pounds of beans to cook.

Baked Beans from page 3

a Civil War Army camp would have no problem fitting into that routine. The beans are not just poured from a can and heated. They are baked. Getting them ready takes over 24 hours.

The day before the dinner, at about 7:30 or 8 a.m. at the community center, a fire is started to heat the coals used for baking the 100 pounds of beans. At about 1 p.m. the cooking of the beans

A long pole keeps workers away from the heat of the baking pit as the pot of beans are placed for baking. Lowering the 60-pound bean pot are (from left) Shawn Ehlert, Matt Brinkman, Brian Van Havermaet and Seth Strassburg.

Seth Strassburg shovels red-hot coals into the baking pit Oct. 1 in Burtrum. The coals are packed around the beans where they will bake for 24 hours.

Baked Beans continued

Veterans thank you

service

begins.

“It is the recipe that has been pretty much followed the entire time,” said Strassburg. “They cook for a couple of hours, then we add other ingredients.”

Those ingredients would be side pork and a sweetener. Honey, molasses and sorghum sugar were used in the Civil War camp; Burtrum uses another readily available sweetener.

“It’s just brown sugar,” said Strassburg. “They’ve always turned out so far.”

The baking process starts at about 4 or 4:30 p.m. when the beans,

in pots, are placed in a baking box in the ground, covered with heated coals, and the baking area sealed. They stay there for 24 hours, and according to Strassburg, are delicious. Apparently, others agree.

“We have served between 380 and 385 people,” he said. “This year, I’ve had messages of people coming from Iowa. They have relatives in the cemetery or they used to live in the town.”

The beans, served from a pot, are part of a full meal that includes potatoes, rutabagas, noodles, chicken, cole

slaw, a roll and a slice of pie.

“We serve the meal from a 60-pound pot, ” said Strassburg. “From a 40-pound pot we sell the beans. People bring pails and take them home Some come just for the rutabagas.”

Takeout chicken is also sold. Serving this year was from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the community center. The site of where the meal is served has changed over the years, but the reason has not Every time a spoonful of

Beans

With Appreciation for Your Many Sacrifices!

beans is

veterans’

“A lot of people come because they know

Janet Schinski puts the potatoes she prepared into a roaster Oct. 2 in Burtrum. Schinski has been working at the bean bake for 70 years, starting when she was 10 years old.

goes

the cemetery and it helps keep it up,” said Strassburg.

Steve Marty stirs the beans one more time Oct. 2 at the Burtrum bean bake. After that stirring, the meal began.

Baked

Linda Voss and Linda Rohde of Grey Eagle select their foods Oct. 2 at the Burtrum Bean Bake. The annual meal is a 125-year-old tradition.

A question about jets led to Navy career

Lang kept jets fighters flying

By HERMAN LENSING Staff Writer

ST. ANNA – Opening the pages of a book, Bob Lang was in touch with the world.

“I saw airplanes and wondered how they could fly,” he said. “In the two-room school house at St. Anthony there were encyclopedias. I read about the theory of flight.”

He smiles and chuckles a bit at the memory of reading those passages. Actually he does that a lot when telling how that interest led him to wondering about jet engines, which led to a desire to work on them, which led to his being in the U.S. Navy. He knew he wanted to work on those engines and keep planes flying. As he entered his late teens, the possibility of the draft and Vietnam War were very much a part of life. He decided to avoid being drafted and opted to volunteer for service in the Navy. There were some tradeoffs.

“I really could not see myself in a jungle carrying guns,” he said, one of the few times his eyes were not laughing. “If you joined the service you served four years, but if you were drafted you served two years.”

He entered the Navy in September of 1963 and served until August of 1967. He not only sailed on the Atlantic, Caribbean and Mediterranean, but was able to work with jet engines along the way. He had actually passed the mechanical aptitude test before he reported to the Navy; that guaranteed he would be working with jets. When he was asked where he wanted to be assigned, he quickly gave three responses.

“I said fighter jets for my first answer; my second choice was on an aircraft carrier and my third choice

was on the East Coast,” he said. “I got lucky. I got all three.”

Lang was assigned to the VF13 F8 Fighter squadron. The squadron was deployed on the U.S. aircraft carrier Shangri-La. The ship’s name was inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt, when he said the planes of the Doolittle raid on Tokyo during World War II came from Shangri-La. When a new aircraft carrier was built, it received that name.

The 880-foot-long carrier had another distinction in U.S. Naval history: It was the first aircraft carrier to have an angled deck added.

“It started off as a straight deck. When you have a straight deck you sometimes have aircraft at the end of the deck; sometimes returning planes would smash into those aircraft,” said Lang. “They put on angled decks, always to the left, because aircraft engines rotate to the right and had a tendency to counter rotate the airplane to left. It was much safer.”

Lang went aboard the Shangri-La in Florida, set to sea and became seasick. They took him off the flight deck for a time and put him in the bakery shop. Once, he served in there during a hurricane.

“We were supposed to make jelly rolls, but because of waves, all the batter went to one side,” he said already grinning about the end of the story. “The head cook said, ‘we will not be making jelly rolls.’”

Most of his time aboard ships, though, was spent repairing jets and keeping them flying. He was good at it and became the repairman sent off ship to get some jets flying again.

“Some planes would have to ‘bingo’. If they were low on fuel or had some problem where they had to land at a land airstrip it was called bingo. Then, I and an electrician were asked to start the aircraft and get

Bob Lang had this photograph taken in 1969, shortly before he was discharged from the Navy. He said the smile is because he had received an E5 Second Class Petty Officer, reaching the rank in two years and sixth months.

them back on board.”

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There was bit of irony in their flights to the bingo planes; they had to fly there in a twin engine plane to get the jets back up into the air.

“We put our tools in the plane. Once, I got catapulted off the ship. Another time I was deck launched, which meant we started at the rear of the

Lang continued page 9

BroasterChicken“FreshfromtheCoop”

Nicole Westbrock was born and raised in Sauk Centre. By fourth grade, she had already figured out that enlisting in the National Guard would be a great way to get through college. In fifth grade following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, she wasn’t so sure anymore. In ninth grade, her brother enlisted and then she knew she could do it, too. When she was a senior in the fall of 2008, she enlisted with an intention to become a medic. Now, 11 years into her career, she has achieved her goal of becoming a flight medic and has participated in stateside Medevac missions as well as a deployment to Kuwait and Iraq.

It can be a long road, becoming capable to serve as she does. Under her first six-year contract, Westbrock performed duties as a medic in two different units. When this contract was finished, she spent two years as a civilian.

During that time, with her bachelor’s degree in accounting, she was doing taxes locally and working as an EMT for the local ambulance department. Still, she felt inspired to return.

“I started to enjoy the ambulance calls more,

and I wanted to further my emergency medical service career,” Westbrock said. “I knew if I could re-enlist, they would send me to paramedic and flight medic school if I could get a slot in the Medevac unit. I also missed the camaraderie.”

She signed on for another three years in

2017, succeeding in joining a unit to become a flight medic. This allowed her to train and obtain valuable experience at the same time. In 2018, Westbrock deployed with her company to Kuwait and the surrounding areas including Iraq and

Westbrock continued page 14

Nicole Westbrock enlisted in the National Guard and served for six years followed by two years as a civilian before she re-enlisted in 2017. In 2018, she deployed with her company to Kuwait and the surrounding areas including Iraq and Jordan.

out practice fires at Camp Ripley with water buckets holding approximately 500 gallons of water. Her company also regularly practices Medevac scenarios and how to properly treat sick and injured patients.

“It’s fun when you can fly around helping people in their time of need,” Westbrock said.

These days, Westbrock works for Mayo Clinic Ambulance as a paramedic in St. Cloud. She is also enlisted as a flight medic with the National Guard in St. Cloud. She participates in weekend drills and completes an additional minimum of 48 hours of flight time throughout the year.

Reflecting on her time in the military, Westbrock noted that she has had many incredible opportunities that she might never have had as a civilian.

“Not many people get to fly in helicopters, especially getting hoisted,” she said. “Even in my first six years as a ground medic, I got to blow things up, and I helped build different buildings at Camp Ripley. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve been able to do some cool things that a lot of people don’t get an opportunity

to do ever. I’ve also made friends from all over the country and world.”

If Westbrock had the chance, what might she say to the high school girl she was before she enlisted?

“Stick with it,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot – more than I thought I’d ever learn. The good times outweigh the bad and it was worth it in the end. I don’t regret getting back in, because I’ve loved every minute of it.”

In preparation for wildfire missions, the DNR trains with Nicole Westbrock’s company to put out practice fires at Camp Ripley with water buckets holding approximately 500 gallons of water.

Nicole Westbrock takes hoist training at Camp Ripley.

Westbrock from

Terry Schwab,

Adrian, Randy

Roy Kohorst, Ray Fuchs, Pat Timp, Dave Mareck and John Adrian; Back: Jim Welle, Mike Noll and Steve

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Veterans honoring Veterans

By SARAH COLBURN Staff Writer ★

ALBANY – Every time a veteran in the Albany area dies, Michael Noll, commander of the Albany American Legion Honor Guard, buffs his combat boots. He dons his dark beret, white gloves, yellow ascot, white-pressed shirt and blue dress slacks with pants bloused just above the boot, ready to serve his country.

It’s the official uniform of the American Legion and it means Noll, a retired Army veteran, is off to honor others who have valiantly served their country. He and his comrades do this every month, usually once or twice a month, roughly 25 times a year.

“They need to be honored, they gave part of their lives for it, they gave to their country,” he said.

As commander of the Albany American Legion, Noll rallies other vets to come provide honor at the service and graveside of area veterans. Now, he said, most of the WWII vets are deceased but he’s getting more requests to attend the services of Korean War vets and Vietnam War vets and some from even more recent wars and eras.

As the wind blows, the veterans gather together graveside for the rifle salute –the firing of seven rifles, three times each.

In a loud, direct voice Noll commands: “Rifle squad,” “Atten-tion!,” “Port Arms,” “Prepare to fire.”

As the veterans step back in unison with their right foot, they take the safety off their M1 Grands, loaded with blanks. Then comes the final command: “Ready,” followed by a pause for a three-second silence, “fire,” and then a pull of the trigger emits the blast. “Ready,” three seconds…“fire” blast. “Ready” three seconds…”fire” blast.

The sound pierces the quiet cemetery grounds and as the ringing of the blast fades, Taps being played on the bugle rises to fill the space. The honor guard olds its position of attention as a representative of the branch of the military folds the flag and presents it to the family.

The flag, in and of itself at a service, is something to behold. Depending on the branch of service, the flag may either be draped over top of the casket, held over the casket before being folded, or in the case of an urn, brought in folded, unfolded and re-folded in the presence of the mourners.

The job is precise, so precise it isn’t always handled by local people.

Representatives of various branches of the military train specially to fold the flag. They attend practices, focusing on the precision angles, executing slow salutes and folding the flag to perfection. Depending on the branch of service, flag folding representatives may come from St. Cloud, the Twin Cities or as far away as the Dakotas.

The entire experience is a reminder and an honor with a long-held history.

“When we fire the rifle salute, it’s a tradition that’s been carried on for generations, it’s very moving,” Noll said. “It’s the last call for them, Taps are played.”

For him, the formality of saying goodbye is important.

“All the guys in the Guard, we’re proud of what we do, it’s our little way of thanking the veterans,” he said.

The families of those who have died are always grateful for their presence and the way the military honors the deceased, he said.

When Noll gets a call about a death, he contacts the area veterans, the 25 members of the honor guard – some are working, some are retired. He works to get as many as seven vets to fire the salute, a bugler and members to carry the flag.

Every third week of the month the contingent travels to Camp Ripley to carry out the burial honor guard duties at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. They travel together in a van donated for the day by Albany Chrysler.

Noll is proud of his military background. His father, grandfather, three brothers and daughter also served in the military, and his son-in-law is a current officer with the U.S. Navy.

“There’s a lot of tradition in the family and I grew up with military in the background,” he said. “I feel very strongly about what the military has done for the country.”

Noll has been part of the American Legion for a decade and he currently is serving as Commander of the Honor Guard of the Albany American Legion. He’s been with the honor guard for eight years.

He volunteered for the draft on Feb. 12, 1969. He was part of the U.S. Army and stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky for basic training. He served in Fort Eustis, Virginia, and in August of the same year left for Korea where he was part of the 377th medical air ambulance company (Dustoff) as a helicopter mechanic. When he returned from Korea, he met his wife, Diane, at a dance at the ballroom in Avon. They were married in November of 1972 and she supported him through his service years, taking care of their family and providing emotional support as he continued his service to the country.

He received an honorable discharge in 1975. He has a break in service and then enlisted in 1982 in the Paynesville Company C First Battalion, 409th Infantry, 205th Infantry Brigade as tow gunner.

He was promoted to E5 Sergeant and then went active-duty Guard Reserve and was assigned to the Fergus Falls unit, Company B, First Battalion, 409th Infantry. He was a squad leader, an assistant training NCO, and was there until 1988 when he was assigned to the Company B, 3/158th Aviation Regiment out of Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was promoted to E6, PMOS 67N3F, and was crew chief and assigned as training

Honor Guard continued page 15

Michael Noll serves as the MC and speaker for the 2019 Veterans Day event. ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED

The Albany American Legion Honor Guard stands for a rifle salute – after firing and while Taps is played – providing military funeral honors at Camp Ripley MSVC.

NCO and standardization instructor for crew chiefs with more than 300-night vision goggle hours.

His final transfer was to HHC 244th Aviation Brigade, First Sergeant in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. The brigade was in charge of all Reserve aviation assets in the United States at the time including the Chinook and the Black Hawk. He went to retired reserves Nov. 15, 2001 and got his official certificate of retirement in October of 2009.

In addition to honoring veterans throughout the region, the Albany American Legion Honor Guard also participates every year in Albany Heritage Days and functions for Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

During the parade, he said, it’s good to see people standing and respecting the military and service members including police and fire.

Additionally, if any member of an honor guard anywhere in Minnesota dies, the District Legion will recruit representatives of all units to carry the American flag for the service. At any given time, Noll said, nearly a dozen units could be represented at the service of an American Legion Honor Guard member.

He has the personal responsibility at every service, after the salute is fired, to go collect the spent shells and gather them into a pouch to present to the family as a tangible reminder of their loved one’s service.

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 urged

Congress to change the word "Armistice" to "Veterans." Congress approved this change and on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor all American veterans, whereever and whenever they had served.

In 1968 the Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took 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.

Michael Noll in 1969 at the bunker in Ascom,Korea.

The Albany American Legion Honor Guard leads the Albany Heritage Days parade.

Honor Guard from

Michael Noll (right) performs a pre-flight inspection in preparation for a helicopter air assault rappelling demonstration at Fergus Falls. The soldier standing with him is MSG Schultz, a ranger and rappel master.

ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Legion’s mission to help veterans

By HERMAN LENSING Staff Writer

SAUK CENTRE – The American Legion was founded over a century ago to help veterans.

It does so admirably, but Scott Kowski, current commander of American Legion Post 67 in Sauk Centre, is also looking to the future. To that end, he likes getting the word out on what the Legion is – and isn’t.

“A lot of people don’t realize what the Legion is and what they do,” he said. “We are not here just for past veterans. It is also for those currently serving.”

Kowski became commander of the post this past May. He recently retired after 22 years full-time in the military. He has realized something as he chairs the meetings.

“I am one of the youngest people attending the meetings,” he said. “Our membership has stayed fairly consistent, but we are starting to lose guys who are decision makers.”

The Legion exists to help every veteran.

“If you wore a uniform, you can belong the American Legion,” Kowski said. “We have been an open post since the Gulf War. You don’t have to have served in a war zone to be a member.”

Kowski is reaching out to current and recent members of the military. The benefits the Legion works for are not just for those from the World War II, Korea and Vietnam eras. Many benefits are available to any veteran – and being a member of the Legion helps obtain them.

“A lot of younger guys think, ‘I don’t use benefits,’ but Legion also voices on their behalf for the education benefits for the GI Bill, for VA home loans – they are eligible to any veteran,” Kowski said. “The larger the membership we have, the more we can lobby for educational benefits, which a lot of the younger generation are using. The benefits are quite good because members of the Legion are fighting for these benefits.”

The Legion is a great service and lobbying organization for older veterans. It provides free assistance for those trying to navigate through the forms needed for the benefits, provides transportation and, occasionally, financial assistance to those who need to get to VA appointments.

“A lot of our work does go to helping older veterans, helping with VA appointments, family support and networking with County Veterans service organizations,” he said. “But I tell younger members it is more for giving now, for what you are going to get later.”

Kowski predicts there will be an increase in requests for aid from the Legion in the near future. When that happens, the Legion will be there to help.

“When filing disability claims, we can have an American Legion representative file a disability claim for you,” he said. “They specialize in that knowledge base of what it takes to get a claim approved or to actually be in correspondence to know what kind of documentation you need. When they (current deployed personnel) come back from this tour, a lot will be eligible for benefits they were not eligible for before being deployed.”

It is not just veterans that Legion posts assist. Recently, the Sauk Centre post helped some of those deployed service members return home for a family emergency.

“We donated money for those soldiers to fly home and attend to their emergencies,” said Kowski. “We are not here just for past veterans. It is also for those currently serving.”

The American Legion does not exist in a bubble, and all posts are part of a community. Kowski would like to see his post become a greater part of the community. It would only help in its service to veterans to do so.

He notes, with pride, that Legion posts help sponsor baseball teams, donate to police departments for child safety, send students to Boys’ and Girls’ State and donate to school patrols. Recently, the Sauk Centre post made a donation for Our Lady of Angels Catholic parish’s Chow Mein Dinner to help provide meals to veterans at Eagle’s Healing Nest.

“We are targeting not just younger veterans but the public in general,” he said.

In his community, he pointed out, the Legion is available to work with almost any element. It provides BINGO on Sundays, the hall is available for receptions and meals are served Tuesdays through Fridays.

“Those (events) are not just for veterans,” he said. “It is an open post, anyone can come in. The money from those events and our charitable gambling goes to help veterans.”

He’d like to see more use of the hall by the public. Recently, the hall received a request from a group of ladies who asked if they could meet there to play cards and have something to eat. They were told they could.

“That is promoting the club, and use of facility, and it all supports veterans,” he said. “It is a way to let people know what we do, and have the public coming in. They say the food is great.”

PHOTO BY KAYLA HUNSTIGER

“Those [new veterans] are the people we want to get involved; they are the future of our Legion. We need their assistance, we need their ideas. Their opinions matter. Their perspective is different than mine is and we need that new outlook.”

Scott Kowski, commander, American Legion Post 67 in Sauk Centre

The outside wall of the Sauk Centre American Legion/VFW building has a painted mural dedicated to all the heroes of our military service members.

YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Breth Glen U.S. Army

Jim

Brethorst Michael

James J.

Achman Vernon

Achman William

Adrian Gerald John Army................................................................1954-1956

Adrian Gerald John Army................................................................1954-1956

Ahrens Anthony I.

Aleshire Virgil H.

Anderson David D. U.S. Army

David L.

Jr. Alex (Gus)

Andresen Arnold

Jack

Guard...............Jan. 16,

- Aug. 16,

Angulski Chester Navy.......................................................................2

Angulski Vince

Norman Army................................................................1945-1947

Athman John M. Army

Athman Vern F. Army National Guard..............................................6

Athmann James L. Army................................................................1969-1971

Gunther U.S. Army

Averill Ray Canadian Army/American Legion.....................1917-1919 Bailey Art Army................................................................1952-1953

Don Army................................................................1953-1955

Bailey Jeff U.S. Army

Barhorst Bernard F.

Barnes Charles W.

Barney Rick U.S. Navy..........................................................1984-1986

Barrett Patrick J. Marine Corp......................................................1963-1967

Bartels Don Army......................................................................2 years

Barten Michael Army................................................................1969-1971

George

Frank

Frank W.

John

Victor

Jim Navy & Coast Guard.............1963-1967 (Navy) 1971-1987

Guard)

Beckermann Joe U.S. Marine Corp. Reserve.................................1962-1968

Beckius Daniel M. Air Force...............................................21 years of Service

Bednarek Frank

Beilke Rudy Army................................................................1953-1955

Benkowski Roger

David E.

David

William

Bob

Arnie

Richard

Army National Guard

Brick Mike Army......................................................................2 years Bristol Tom Marines.......................................................................N/A Brix Ervin

Brix Roman

Bromenshenkel Leonard

Bromenshenkel Leonard H.

Bronson William L. Army (Vietnam Veteran)

Brown Eugene Army................................................................1976-1980 Brown John Army................................................................1984-1988 Brown Timothy Marines............................................................1985-1989 Buck Kenneth R.

Buckley Gerald“Jerry” Navy.......................................................................4 years Budde Alvin

Budde Cyril

Budde Ralph Army...........................................................................N/A Bueckers Eugene Fred Air Force................................................Dec. 2, 1963-1969 Buerman Walter Army................................................................1953-1955 Bullock Debbie Army National Guard............................................33 years Bullock Louis Air National Guard................................................23 years Bussmann Edward Army................................................................1957-1959 Buttweiler Edward

Buttweiler Werner

Bymers Brian Army.....................Active 1987-1989, Inactive 1989-1993 Callahan Donald Marines................................................................13 years Callahan Rebecca Army................................................................7 1/2 years Cane Jack Army......................................................................3 years Carbajal Osvald National Guard............................................................N/A Carroll Jim Army......................................................................2 years Castle Keith B. U.S. Navy..........................................................1964-1968 Cherne Anthony Army................................................................1966-1968 Cherne Anthony Army................................................................1966-1968 Cherne James

Cherne James L. Army................................................................1969-1971 Chernoff Samuel ....................................................................................N/A Chilson Joshua Army................................................................1998-2003 Chock Aloys

Christen Andy Army National Guard..............................................9 years Christen Don Army......................................................................3 years Christen Gerald Army National Guard..............................................6 years Cigelske Laverne E. Army................................................................1958-1964 Cipala Eugene R.

Clancy Jim ....................................................................................N/A Clayton Linda Lou US Air Force..........................................................20 years Colby, Sr. Dale Army-Corporal

Costello Jack Submarines......................................................1967-1971 Czajkowski Ronald P.

Czech Hyacinth N.“Hydie” U.S. Navy Sea Bees...........................................1988-1995 Czech James J.

Dahmen Wilfred

Deidrich Elmer J.

Denk Jerome Army................................................................1965-1967 DesMarais Keith U.S. Navy..........................................................1942-1946 Deters James M. Army...........................................................................N/A Deters Jim Air Force, Army National Guard ............................28 years Deters Joe H. Army National Guard............................................22 years Diedrich Arthur J.

Dierkhising Aric Air Force & Air Force Reserve ......Air Force Reserve 4 years, Air Force 6 years (Active Duty) Dierkhising Craig Air Force..................................................16 years (Active) Dierkhising Kristen Air Force & Air Force Reserve .Air Force Reserve 9 years, Air

3 years (Active Duty) Dierkhising Lea Air Force Reserve....................................................8 years Dierkhising LeRoy Army................................................................1963-1966 Dierkhising Raymond Army................................................................1965-1967 Dinndorf Steven Air Force...........................................................1985-1995 Dirkes Rich

Dirkes Richard R. Marines.......................................................................N/A Dobis Albert

Dobis Simon

Doebler Michael A. U.S Navy...............................................................20 years Doege Donald (Pete)

Elfering

Elfering

Elmes Jim Marines............................................................1965-1968

Eltgroth Richard U.S. Army

to 1961

Emblom Anton Army..........................................................................WWI

Emblom Carl“Red” Army.......................................................................2 Years

Erdmann Charles F.

Korean War

Essler Richard Army................................................................1969-1971

Ethun Dean Air Corp..................................................................7 years

Ethun Dennis Navy.......................................................................4 years

Ethun Donald Army......................................................................4 years

Ethun Donald U.S. Navy Sea

years

Ethun Kenneth Army......................................................................4 years

Ethun Lyle

Justin

Faber Art

Fedor Lloyd

Fedor William

Feia Cyril L.

Feia Dale

Feia Edward

Feia McKayla

Feia Myron

Feia (Kuba) Myron Army................................................................1983-1988

Feitl Glenn U.S. Army

Feldewerd Gary Army Reserve.......................................................21

Felling Harvey Army & Guards.......................................................2

Felling James J. Army.....................................Sept.

Groetsch Kenneth Army................................................................1968-1969 Gross

Army................................................................1959-1961 Gross Martin U.S. Army

1954 - Nov. 1956 Gross Martin J.“Joe” Army......................................................................3 years Grove Rodney E. Air Force...........................................................1967-1971 Grubbs Leslie Army................................................................1963-1966 Gruber Brandon National Guard.............................................2014-Present Gruenke Virgil Navy.................................................................1943-1946 Gruenke Virgil Navy.................................................................1943-1946 Grunloh Donald

Grunloh Urban

Grutsch Robert

1966 - July 12,

Felling Merle J. U.S. Air Force.............................................Jan.

Felling Mike Army......................................................................3 years

Felling Ron Army & Guards.......................................................2

Felling Vern Army & Guards.....................................................21 years

Fern Richard P. Navy/Naval Reserve

Fern Richard P.

Melvin

Joseph (Harold)

Willis T. (Tom)

George R. U.S.

Dennis

Clarence

Mike

Frank Mike (Mick)

1946-1948, Naval Reserve

National Guard........................................1968-1975

Grythe Dennis R. Army & National Guard

years Guinn David Air Force................................................................26 Years Guinn Don Air Force..................................................................4 Years Guinn Kenneth Air Force..................................................................3 Years Guinn Tom Air Force..................................................................4 Years Guinn William“Bill” Air Force..................................................................4 Years Haagenson Larry

Hadley James

Hadley Michael E.

Haeny Steve U.S. Army

Hagen Sara Voller National Guard.......................................................7 years Hagen“Voller” Sara National Guard.......................................................7 years Hagstrom Doug Army................................................................1974-1976 Haider Gary U.S. Air Force..........................................................4 years Haider Vincent U.S. Army

14, 1954-Dec. 13, 1956 Hammarsten James F. Army & Air Force

1981-1984 (Army) 1953 (Air Force)

Hammerarsten James F. Army/Air Force............................................................N/A Hammond Jeff Navy............................................................................N/A Hanauer Burton

Hanauer Duane L.

Hanson Harry U.S. Navy..........................................................1943-1946 Hanson John T. United States Air Force .....................................1969-1973 Hargreaves Gary U.S. Navy..........................................................1967-1971 Haroldson William Enoch U.S. Army of Engineers..................................1943 – 1946 Harren Edmund Army................................................................1953-1955 Harren Edmund U.S. Army

Haskamp Ervin Army................................................................1950-1952 Haupt Wayne

Hayes Victor

Hector Charles Army....................................................................1945-47 Hegg Bruce Navy.................................................................1965-1969 Heidgerken Dennis U.S. Army

Heinen Danell U.S. Army

years Heinen Ron Army................................................................1972-1978 Heinze Ed Army (Airborne)...............................................1957-1959 Hellermann Eric Army......................................................................4 years Hellermann Kenneth Navy.......................................................................3 years Hellman Paul U.S. Marine Corps....................................................5 Years Hennek Gabe

Hennek Richard Marine Corp......................................................1966-1970 Hennek Roman

Hennek Stanley

Henry Brent Army....................................................................33 years Henry George B. Army.............................................................2 years WWII Henry Lorman C. Army......................................................................8 years Henry Richard Navy.........................................................................1 year Herges Pete Army................................................................1952-1954 Herickhoff Andrew Army......................................................................4 years Herickhoff Andrew A. Army......................................................................4 years Herickhoff Henry Army......................................................................2 years Herickhoff Henry J. Army................................................................1957-1959 Herke Debra R. U.S. Army

Herke Larry J. U.S. Army

Heurung Henry

Himsl Amor Navy.................................................................1942-1946 Himsl Frank U.S. Army

Himsl Joel U.S. Army

Himsl Joseph U.S. Army

Hinnenkamp Leonard MN Army National Guard

Hinnenkamp Richard Army................................................Oct. 1965-Sept. 1967 Hinnenkamp Vince Army.....................................May

1968 - April 15, 1970 Hirman Stan Navy.................................................................1961-1964 Hittle Lawrence Iden Navy 4 years, Air Force 16 years, Army National Guard

years Hoeschen Arnold Army

WWII Hoffarth Frank Navy............................................................................N/A Hoffarth Romaine Navy............................................................................N/A Hollenkamp Leander Army................................................................1954-1956 Holman Heidi Army National Guard..............................................4 years Holmann Heidi Army National Guard..............................................2 years Hooker Patrick H. U.S. Army

Horvath Steve

Hoskins George Howard Army................................................................1950-1953 Hoskins Howard Henry Air Force..................................................................3 Years Hoskins Jerre Ray Navy.................................................................1954-1957

Bernard

Harold

Navy..........................................................1966-1969 Hundt Richard L.

Humbert David

George J.

Army Air Corps

Imdieke Sarah Army

Immerfall Lawrence

Guard...............................................8

Amanda M. Air Force...........................................................2002-2004

Ingold Kirk A.

James E.

Kevin

Coast Guard.....................................................6

Louis National Guard............................................................N/A

Jim Coast Guard............................................................4

Jansky Pete

Jarmuzek

Jarmuzek Walter

Jarnot Robert

Jarnot Robert L.

Jennissen Clifford Army National Guard........................................1959-1965

James L. N.G. Headquarter Co. Medical Dept....................................

Paul M. Air Force.............................April 8, 1966-February 5,

George U.S. Navy..........................................................1965-1969

Suchy

Andreas U.S. Union Army...............................................1861-1865

Louis U.S. Air Force..........................................................4

Allen P.

Kevin

Leroy E.

Elias

David

Stephen

Eugene

Randy

Joseph

National Guard.................................July

Force...........................................................1956-1960

Wiliam M. Army,

Force.....................................................34

Jack Army.......................................................................2

Daniel

Ray Army National Guard........................................1959-1965 Katzer Alex Army...........................................................................N/A Kemper Bob Army................................................................1968-1970 Kemper Bob Army................................................................1968-1970 Keppers Adam

Keppers Robert Army......................................................................3

Kerfeld Andrea MN Army National Guard

Kerfeld Harold Army......................................................................3

Kerfeld Leander H.

Korn Chris Air Force...........................................................1983-2003 Korn Sheila (Odegard) Air Force...........................................................1987-1994 Korn Brandon Army................................................................2009-2013 Kortan Dennis Army National Guard............................................21 years Kortan Louis C. Army................................................................1952-1954 Kortan Mark Army....................................................................12 years Korte Dennis United States Air Force ...........................................4 years Korte Frederick J. U.S. Air Force..........................................................8 years Korte Kenneth F. U.S. Navy..........................................June 1968-June 1972 Korte Raymond I. U.S. Navy..........................................................1942-1945 Kowski Scott Army National Guard........................................1991-2021 Kraemer Ervin Navy.................................................................1960-1970 Kraker Charles P. U.S. Army

years Kramer Mike Marines............................................................1961-1964 Krick Justin T. Army (Purple Heart).........................................2005-2007 Krick Tom Army................................................................1969-1971 Kroska Cyril J.

Krueger Daniel Marine Corp./ Air Force...............1963-1966 (Marine Corp) 1967-1984 (Air Force) Krych Jerome T.

Krych Joseph

Kuehne Robert

Kuehne Robert L. Air Force...........................................................1962-1966 Kuehne Ronald H. National Guard.................................................1966-1972 Kuehne Ronand

Kuepers Richard L.

Kuklok Timothy P. Army................................................................1995-2015 Kurtz Henery

Kurtz Peter

Kurtzman Henry

Laing B. J. Army................................................................1918-1919 Laing Bernie Army................................................................1955-1957 Laing Fritz Army................................................................1953-1955 Landberg Robert Navy Seabees.......................................................24 years Lane Robert Army................................................................1955-1957 Lane Robert J.

Lang Joe

Lang Joseph Navy.................................................June 1968-June 1972 Lang Robert U.S. Navy..........................................................1963-1967 Lange Adolph Army................................................................1954-1958 Lange Adolph B.

Kerfeld Lee U.S. Army

of service Kessler John Army.......................................................................4

Kierzek Ed

Kierzek Edmund

Kierzek George Army................................................................1955-1957 Kierzek George

Kierzek Kenneth Army................................................................1963-1965 Kierzek Kenneth

Kierzek Roman

Larry

Zack

Robert

Marion

Marion

Vernon

Vernon

Lange Alfred

Lange Scott A.

Langner LeRoy

Larkey Lee R.

Larson Eric Army............................................................1991-Current Larson Eric US Military..................................................................N/A Larson James Army................................................................1958-1962 Lauer Ralph Army................................................................1942-1945 Lawinger Levi Air Force.................................................................7 years Lawrence Terwey Army National Guard........................................1958-1965 Lee Jerome Air Force...........................................................1967-1971 Lemke Jim

Lemke Michael B.

Lentz Jerome B. National Guard................Honorably Discharged Oct. 1963 Lilienthal Brian Marine

years Lindeman Albert Army Reserve.........................................................2 years Lindeman Vernon Army......................................................................2 years Lindhorst Tony F. United States Air Force

years Linn Virgil A. Air Force...........................................................1958-1962 Linz Donald O.

Litchy Ronald J.

Litchy Wilfred Marine Corp......................................................1924-1927 Lobitz Michael F.

Loehr Leander Army/National Guard.......................................1969-1975 Lomheim Terrace L. Army......................................................................3 years Losey Christopher National Guard.................................................2005-2011 Loxtercamp Daniel Navy.................................................................1963-1965 Loxtercamp Robert Army................................................................1962-1967 Loxterkamp John MN Army National Guard

years Luethmers

Mareck

Marstein

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Marthaler

Massman Frederick

Massmann

McCann Jennifer

Guard............................................12

Meer Nathan Air Force......................................................................N/A Meier Roman Army............................................................2004-Present

Ryan J. Army............................................................2000-Present

Meissner Charlie Air Force......................................................................N/A

Meissner Katie Air Force......................................................................N/A

Melton Larry

Melton Larry Army (Military Intelligence).............................1965-1969

Menken Dan U.S. Navy..........................................................1985-1993

Menth Cyril Navy & Army Aircorps

Mergen Chris Marines.......................................................................N/A

Mergen Robert

Messer Gary Army......................................................................2 years

Metcalf James Army National Guard........................................1977-1999

Meyer Adoph

Meyer Aloys Army................................................................1954-1956

Meyer Bernard Army

Meyer Bernard H. Army................................................................1955-1957

Meyer David Army......................................................................2 years

Meyer David C. Army................................................................1954-1956

Meyer David C. Army......................................................................2 years

Meyer Elmer L. Army National Guard..............................................6 years Meyer Eugene J. U.S. Marine Corp...............................................1952-1954

Meyer Gary Army......................................................................2 years Meyer Gary T. Army................................................................1968-1969

Meyer Jerry Army................................................................1968-1969 Meyer Kenneth D. U.S. Air Force....................................................1979-1983

Meyer Loren T. US Army...........................................................1960-1963 Meyer Mark U.S. Airforce

Meyer Marv U.S. Army & Reserve.........................................1985-2007

Meyer Philip Army................................................................1954-1956

Middendorf Dave Army................................................................1973-1978

Middendorf Victor Army......................................................................2 years Mikkelson Bruce Army................................................................1970-1972

Miley William J. US Army..................................................................3

Andrew

Arthur

Dean B.

Marine

Gene U.S. Army

Roy

Jr. Michael W. U.S. Marine

Marvin

Timothy Army............................................................2000-Present

Chad Army National Guard....................................2001-Present

Roman

John

Newell Michael Navy/National Guard ......Navy 1970-1972 National Guard 1987-2007

Nieland Dennis Marine Corp......................................................1969-1970 Nienaber Brian Army National Guard...........................Sept. 2019-present Nienaber Garrett Air Force..............................................Feb. 2014 - Present Nienaber Jason National Guard............................................2008 - Present Nienaber Roman Army..............................................Feb. 1957-March 1963 Nordine Howard“Bud” Marine

years Notch Alcuin Army.........3 years active, 2 years standby & 2 years active reserve

Nugent Eugene Army................................................................1944-1948 Nugent Henry Army..........................................................Served in WWI Nummela Gary Army................................................................1973-1976 O’Brian Michael

Olloman Don Marine

years Olmscheid John U.S. Army

1968-Oct. 1970 Olmscheid (Brendle) Lavina Army/Guards.............Army 1969-1976 Guards 1976-1991 Olson Everett R.

Olson Gordon Army/Army Reserve..........Army 1970-1972 Army Reserve 1974-1994 Olson Richard B. Navy.................................................................1966-1968 Olson Virden Air Force................................April 17, 1946-Oct. 17, 1947 Opatz Claude Army................................................................1955-1957 Opatz Claude

Opatz Edw

Opatz George

Opatz Jackie

Opatz Marlin

Opatz William A.

Opatz Jessica Military

Orth Leonard Army................................................................1953-1955 Orth Phil U.S. Marine Corp.....................................................3 years Otte Elmer MN Army National Guard

years Otte Sandra Gray Army....................................................................22 years Pagel Allen Army................................................................1965-1977 Pagel Donald Army................................................................1963-1966 Pagel JoHann“John” Army................................................................1985-1992 Paggen Mike

Pallow John Air Force...............................................................23 years Pallow John L Air Force...........................................................1951-1974 Pannek Alfred Sr.

Pannek Alois

Pederson Bob

Peleske Craig W. Army Sergeant.....................................................14 years Perlinger Leo R. Air Force...........................................................1962-1966 Perne Alois Army...........................................................................N/A Peters George Army....................................June 13, 1955-June 14, 1957 Peters Jerome G. Army................................................................1952-1954 Peters Richard Army.................................................May 1955-May 1957 Peters Robert Marine Corp.........................................Nov. 21, 1951-1954 Peterson Arden Air Force...........................................................1954-1958 Peterson Gene Navy.......................................................................4 years Peterson Mark Marine Corp.................................................................N/A Peterson Paul Navy.................................................................1965-1969 Petron Mark

Petterson Bruce Army Reserves

Petterson Philip M. 8th Air Force........................................................WWII vet Pfeifer Vern E. Army................................................................1957-1959 Pfieffer Phil Army................................................................1970-1972 Pflipsen Harold Army.................................................Aug. 1942-Oct. 1945 Pflipsen Terrance Army..................................................Feb. 1968-Feb. 1971 Philippi Jason J.

Phlipsen Harold

Pierskalla Leander

Pierskalla Rebecca

Pietrowski

Poptlewell

Rademacher

Rademacher

Rademacher

Raden

Raden

Radtke

Raeker

Rahn

Ramseyer

Rapp

Rasmusen Merlin

Manrad

Ratke

Rausch

Rausch

Rausch

Rausch

Rausch

Rausch Wendell

Rausch William M.

Read Harold

Reiling Gary

Reisdorf George

Reller

Reuter Wayne

Ricker Ronald

Rieland Dan Navy Seabees.....................................2.5 years in Vietnam

Rindahl  Bruce E.

1965-Aug.1969

Risdal Troy Army National Guard............................................12

Ritter Kenneth US Navy............................................................1959-1963

Ritzer Adolph

Ritzer Reed

Roberson Mark Navy.................................................................1982-1986

Robertson Charles (Dave) Air Force...........................................................1956-1960

Robischon Michael Navy & U.S.S.

Frank

Roehl Randall D.

Roehrl Arthur P. Army................................................................1943-1945

Roehrl Melvin“Mel”

Roelike Ken Army Green

Roerick Maria Coast Guard.................................................................N/A Rohe Othmar U.S. Army

Rolfes Allen National Guard............................................................N/A

Ronyak Bernard Air Force...........................................................1958-1962

Ronyak Bernard G.

Ronyak Robert

Mike

Michael

Jim

Richard

Joseph

Schmit Ernie Army................................................................1971-1973 Schmit Ernie

Schmitt Martin

Schneider Denis Air Force...........................................................1955-1959 Schneider John H.

Schneider Raymond

Schnell Cyril (Sam)

Schramel Kenneth Army................................................................1966-1967 Schreder Eugene

Schultz Jr. Richard Army.......................................................................3 Years Schurman Eugene E. U.S. Air Force..........................................................4 years Schwab Terence J. Army..............................................................17 1/2 years Schwalbe Alex C.

Schwalbe Cyril

Schwieters Joseph A. Army................................................................1972-1974 Schwieters Nicholas US Military..................................................................N/A Schwinghamer Chris Army National Guard..............................................7 years Schwinghamer Craig Army National Guard........................................1984-2004 Schwinghamer Joseph Army National guard..............................................4 years Schwinghamer Joseph Army National Guard..............................................2 years Schwinghamer Thomas Army National Guard...........................................1.5 years Schwinghammer Roger Army National Guard..............................................7 years Sell David Air Force..................................................24 years-present Sell Jeffrey Marine Corp.........................................................6.5 years Sell Larry Air Force/Army Guard/Air Guard.........................27.5 years Sells John Air Force.................................................................5 years Senart Rudolph

Senger Chris Army....................................................................30 years Senger Chuck Army....................................................................13 years Shabel Duane V.

Sherman Douglas Army......................................................................2 years Sieben Aaron Navy.......................................................................6 years Sieben Dennis U.S. Marine

years Sieben Eugene Navy.................................................................1948-1950 Sieben Oswald Army.......................................................................1913-? Sieben Paul Army National Guard..............................................2 years Sieben Robert Army.......................2 years Army 20 years National Guard Sieben Dave Army Infantry......2 year of active duty & 24 years of Army

duty Silbernagel John Air Force.....................................3 years, 1 month, 25 days Skwira Tyler

Smith Fred

Smith Herbert

Smith William

Sobotta Bruce Marine Corp......................................................1974-1976 Soenneker Joe Army................................................................1966-1969 Sogge Erik Army............................................................2004-Present Solarz Derrek Marines.......................................................................N/A Solarz Derrek D. Marines..................................................................4 years Solarz Felix Joseph US Army.................................................................2 years Solarz Herman

Solinger Andrew Army................................................................1954-1956 Solinger Andrew

Solinger Rick

Soltis John Navy.................................................................1976-1990 Sorquist Rick Air Force...........................................................1996-2008 Sowada Stanley Army................................................................1961-1963 Sowada Stanley Joseph Army......................................................................2 years Spanier Roger

Spooner Arthur Air Force...........................................................1954-1974 Springer Edward L.

Springer Paul Navy............................................................................N/A Stalberger Anthony

Stang Marvin

Stegura Walter

Stepan Patrick L. Marine Corp......................................................2006-2010 Stevens Michael Army...........................................................................N/A Stiles Chris Army....................................................2006-2010

Stiller Donald S.

Stock Adam

Stock Anita

Stodolka Jim C. Sr.

Timp

Toenies

Toenyan

Tomsche

Traut

Tschida

Tschida

Tschida

Turner Randy National Guard.................................................1974-1997 Turner Todd National Guard.............................................1997-Present

Uhlenkamp David Army................................................................1954-1957

Uhlenkamp Donnie Army................................................................1960-1962

Uhlenkamp Ernest Army................................................................1953-1955

Uhlenkamp Lyle Army................................................................1961-1963

Uhlenkamp Randal Carl Army National Guard........................................1982-1988

Uhlenkamp Robert Army................................................................1968-1970

Uhlenkamp Roger Army................................................................1968-1970

Uhlenkamp Vern Army National Guard........................................1962-1968

Uphoff Bill Air Force

Uphoff Bob Army................................................................1964-1967

Uphoff Cel Army

Uphoff Jim Army Reserve...................................................1967-1973

Uphoff Virgil Army................................................................1953-1955

Uphus Sylvester Navy.................................................................1946-1947

Van Heel Robert L. U.S. Army

Vander Heyden Jim Army................................................................1963-1968

Vanderheyden James

VanHeel Art U.S. Air Force.............4 years Air Force, 6 years Air Reserve

VanHeel Robert Army................................................................1958-1959

John A. Army................................................................1965-1969

Veeder Donald Army..................................................................39+

Viehauser Kenneth G.

Cyril

Voller Frederick Army...............2

Active Duty/3 years National Guard

Voller Joseph W. Army......................................................................6

Voller Thomas Guards & Reserves........26

duty

Voller Frederick National Guard..2

John

Guards & Reserves/1

Active Duty/3 years National Guard

Wensmann Jerome Army................................................................1954-1956

Wensmann Leroy Army................................................................1954-1956 Wentland Louis

West Glen R. U.S. Army

Westendorf Art U.S. Army

Westendorf Art U.S. Navy..........................................................1966-1969 Westendorf Herman Navy.................................................................1945-1947 Westerbeck Todd U.S. Navy..........................................................1981-1987 Wiebolt Bernard Army................................................................1953-1955 Wiener Julian Army...........................................................................N/A Wiener Matt MN Army National Guard

Wiener Rob Army National Guard..............................................9 years Wiener Robert“Bud” U.S. Army

Wiener Victor Navy Seabees...................................................1945-1947 Wilson Dustin Reserves......................................................................N/A Wingate Timothy W. Navy.................................................................1968-1973 Wohletz Kevin

Woitalla Clarence P.

Woitalla Raymond Navy.................................................................1965-1969 Wolff Richard Navy.................................................................1963-1967 Wood Mike Navy........................................................20 years, 20 days Woodley Brandy Army......................................................................2 years Woodley Ben Army/Army Reserve....................................................N/A Worms Steve Army................................................................1968-1970 Wrobel Henry J.

Wunderlich Nicole Army...........................................................................N/A Wyffels Joseph Army........................................7 years, 7 months & 4 days Yarke Joseph Navy..................................................Nov. 1965-Oct. 1969 Young LeRoy Army................................................................1953-1955 Young LeRoy B.

Young Stephen Army................................................................1988-1994 Yurczyk Linus Marines............................................................1958-1962 Yurczyk Linus

Zanoth Edward

Zanoth Jerome

Zapzalka Gary Army................................................................1980-1982 Zapzalka Gary

Zeimetz Charlie

Zeimetz Mike

Zeimetz Nick G.

Zeimetz Walter

Zeis Ervin

11, 1956 - Dec. 11, 1958 Zeis Ervin

Zeis Robert F.

Zierden Walter

Zimmerman John (Jack) Air Force.................................................................4 years Zimmerman Linus Air Force...........................................................1951-1972 Zimmerman Terrell“TZ” U.S.

Thank You for Your Service!

The names included in the salute this year were submitted through various sources. Should there be an error in spelling, branch of service, or years served, please contact us. If you wish to be included in next year’s Veterans Edition, please contact kayla@saukherald.com. You do not need to re-submit names each year, as they will be reprinted from past years.

you!

Toll the Bell on November 11

Nearly 14,500,000 worldwide died during WWI. The Doughboy Foundation is asking individuals, communities and organizations to honor those killed, by finding out whether the church you attend or your community will have a bell toller in place for November 11, and to offer help if needed.

Bells of Peace is a WWI remembrance that occurs every year on November 11 at 11 a.m. local time. Its purpose is to give American citizens a way they can participate in the annual remembrance of the World War I armistice.

As an alternative to a church or community bell-tolling ceremony, the Doughboy Foundation has created a Bells of Peace app for your phone that is available from Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Once installed, the app will count down to 11/11 at 11 am, then will automatically toll a bell 21 times at five-second intervals. If you prefer, you can manually toll your bell. The app allows you to select from several bells offered: a cathedral bell, church bell, an honor bell, ships bell and others.

Schnell thankful for station near Saigon

Relative safety provided experience, healthy return from Vietnam war

By CHRISTINE BEHNEN Staff Writer

MELROSE – Sam Schnell has been a teacher much of his adult life, until his retirement. Working in the Melrose schools teaching industrial arts and special education has been a consistent service that he has offered to the Melrose community for many years. There is another service he completed, and that is his service in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, where he was deployed when he was 24 years old. Subsequently, he spent years in the Army Reserves.

In 1970, Schnell was already teaching in Melrose when the draft board called him in to take his physical in the Twin Cities. That year he did not pass the physical and returned to teaching. It seemed like the matter was settled, but anti-war protests resulted in the Draft Board building being burnt down.

With the paper records destroyed, he was called in again in 1971 to repeat the process.

This time, he passed. He, and a number of other Minnesotans, many of them also teachers, had been drafted.

He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for his basic training, and then to advanced training with the Army Security Agency in June. His wife, Betty, and 1-year-old son rented a trailer to stay close. Having scored highly in clerical assessments, he finished his training to work in personnel. After checking out his background around town, he was given Top Secret Clearance. Despite briefly thinking he’d be sent to Ethiopia, he flew to Vietnam.

In Saigon, many of those who had arrived with him were sent all over the country, but Schnell stayed in Saigon. In Saigon, his experience of the war was unique to that of many other Vietnam veterans. Saigon was more secure. It was not on the front lines. His work was focused on record-keeping.

“I didn’t have any bad situations because of where I was stationed; some of my friends who were with me when I went over there went north to some of those way-out bases,” Schnell said. “I’m glad I stayed in Saigon, it was a lot better there.”

In total, Schnell would be stationed in Vietnam for 11 months. Part of that time would be spent in a base at Bien Hoa (pronounced “bin wah”), 20 miles north of Saigon, although this base was also one of the safer places to be, in part due to its proximity. Between Saigon and Bien Hoa, Schnell found himself to be in a fortunate situation.

Schnell was part of a Ready Reaction Force, and they kept their weapons with them. There were two perimeters of security. The outside perimeter consisted of bunkers with armed soldiers interspersed between tow-

ers. In the towers, guards would watch for trouble with binoculars and use night vision scopes at night. Sensors would detect potential movement and activity beyond the base. Schnell recalled once something was seen approaching, so a helicopter with ammunition was sent to check it out, though it was never determined what it was; it could have been something as innocent as a monkey.

Guard duty was not always a desirable duty. At that time in 1972, they were standing down, and more and more soldiers were returning home. Even at the more secure bases where Schnell was stationed, as soldiers approached the end of their missions, they were loathe to take the risk of extra shifts. It was common for soldiers to pay other soldiers to take their guard duty. Schnell was open to taking up guard duty, but with some soldiers involved in drug use, he had to be careful.

“I would only do it if the people in the towers were dependable,” he said. “If somebody was in the guard duty that I knew was reliable, I would do it. They paid really well to do that.”

Rocket launches coming in were the most likely threat. Still, the only two that occurred during Schnell’s time of deployment happened to fall upon dates when he was not there. During a March launch of 80 some rockets into Bien Hoa, he was on a 14-day leave. During an August attack, he was with Betty in Hawaii, something he was able to pay for using money he earned in guard duty earlier on.

During the 6 months spent in Bien Hoa, the soldiers lived in metal buildings called “hooches.” There was no air conditioning. Whereas Minnesota has a full four seasons, in Vietnam heat and humidity varied only with the onset of monsoon.

Work days were largely regular hours, leaving Schnell and others with significant free time. Many evenings were spent barbecuing, playing games and talking. There were dogs everywhere and some became like pets. Another group of

Sam Schnell (left) worked in personnel with records while serving in Vietnam. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Sam Schnell reviews his photos of his time in Vietnam from his home near Melrose. He served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam in the early 70s, spending most of his time in record-keeping near Saigon.

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE BEHNEN

THE DAY THE WORLD CHANGED

PEARL HARBOR

Reflections after 80 years

“Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. The sun came up, the bombs came down and the world came apart.”

The line was used in the trailer of the 1970 Pearl Harbor-based attack film “Tora, Tora, Tora.” The attack took place 80 years ago. It came mind to again last summer when the remains of Fireman First Class Elmer Tom Kerestes of Holdingford were laid to rest in his home town. Kerestes was killed in action aboard the USS Oklahoma, one of the ships attacked and sunk in the attack.

Dec. 7 was always a bit of solemn day when I was growing up. It took a while to find out why. It was not because of a relative, none of mine died in the attack. Nor was it a military setback by the United States because they have happened in every war. It was not because the U.S. was brought into a war; this country has rarely gone 25 years without being in a war. It was the observation by Joseph Daniel Harrington in his book, "Yankee Samurai," that provided a clue.

By HERMAN LENSING Staff Writer

Harrington opens his book, which documents contributions by the Nisei, or second-generation Japanese-Americans to the U.S. war effort, saying no one individual has changed America as much as lead pilot Mitsuo Fuchida did when he ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor to begin.

Prior the Dec. 7, the U.S. felt very secure. It had come through the challenges of World War I, a pandemic, the Dust Bowl and drought of the 1930s, and the Great Depression. U.S. technology was the envy or the world and people wanted to come here because of opportunity. We were protected on the coasts by oceans, bordered by friendly, or at least non-hostile neighbors, and had a pretty clear idea of what the future would bring if we just stayed home.

While some said we had to prepare for a war that would come, most of the country did not believe it. We were, as a country, as content and secure with ourselves as George Banks is with his life in “Mary Poppins.”

In 75 minutes, the attack destroyed that contentment and feeling of security, and forever changed U.S. social patterns. Within 24 hours after the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese successfully attacked U.S. and British bases in the Philippines, Guam, Midway Island, Wake Island, Malaya and Hong Kong. Before their advance was stopped, the Japanese Army had invaded an area from Sibera to almost Australia, and from Burma to almost

Midway. They also had footholds on some of the Aleutian Islands.

The U.S. regrouped from the setback, and became the major contributor to defeating both German and Japanese military units. It became, for the next 70-some years, the major power in the world.

Harrington, though, might be right in his assessment. The Pearl Harbor attack brought more than war. It led to a number of changes to lives and culture in the USA.

With the attack, Americans learned more of the world beyond its borders than they had ever known. Places like London, Berlin, Wake Island, Normandy, Tokyo, Iwo Jima, Midway and Manila were suddenly more than just answers to a geography quiz.

The attack showed more than just the U.S. (or Europe) was making technological advances. From that point on, the U.S. paid more attention to science and eventually developed a space program.

Induction and service in the armed forces put the various ethnic groups and regional groups from across the nations in touch with each other. It showed, more than any textbook had, the U.S. truly is a nation of nations.

The need to keep the services supplied with arms created job openings which were filled by minorities and woman. Those opportunities gave rise to the Civil Rights and feminist movements.

Agriculture was seen as a very needed support for troops, and high volumes of crops was encouraged. This led to an increase of mechanization on farms; and the development of more processed foods such as SPAM.

The need for quick transportation led eventually to the interstate freeway system.

Those elements all created America as we know it – and created a different America than had been talked about at 1941 Thanksgiving dinners.

America never went back to the pre-Dec. 7, 1941 days. That may have been why the day was always solemn. To the people of America’s greatest generation, World War II was collectively their greatest and most successful adventure, but Dec. 7, 1941 marks the day sun came up, the bombs came down and their world changed forever.

DID YOU KNOW? Pearl Harbor fast facts

Compiled by Herman Lensing

• Pearl Harbor is located about 3,000 miles from the U.S. mainland and 4,000 from Japan. The Japanese attack force was undetected in that crossing.

• The Japanese were aware there were no aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor. They attacked hoping to destroy the eight battleships there, which would seriously slow the U.S. Pacific War effort.

• All eight U.S. destroyers sustained some damage in the attack. Four were sunk. Six of the destroyers were back in action before the war ended. The USS Oklahoma was raised, but was too damaged to be refitted for use. Only the USS Arizona was never raised.

• The Japanese used 353 aircraft in the attack. Their fleet consisted of two heavy cruisers, 35 submarines, two light cruisers, nine oilers, two battleships and 11 destroyers. There were 29 Japanese aircraft lost and no ships lost. The attack destroyed 188 U.S. aircraft and damaged over 120 others, and crippled or destroyed about 20 American ships. Of the 22 Japanese ships that participated in the attack, only the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Ushi survived the war.

• There were over 2,400 Americans and 64 Japanese killed in the attack. Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd was the highest-ranking U.S. officer to die in the attack. He posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. There were 15 other Medals of Honor awarded for actions during the Pearl Harbor attack.

• Dorie Miller, a steward on the USS West Virginia, assisted his mortally wounded captain to safety, then manned a machine gun and shot down two aircraft. He became the first African-American to earn the Navy Cross.

• “Tora” is a Japanese word for tiger. When Mitsuo Fuchida radioed “Tora, Tora, Tora” back to his fleet, it meant the Japanese had achieved complete surprise and the attack should begin.

• Isoroku Yamamoto, who commanded the attack on Pearl Harbor, opposed going to war with the United States. He had lived and studied in the U.S., and predicted that if the war went longer than a year, it would go badly for Japan. He was proved right. Six months after Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy won the Battle of Midway and Japan was on the defensive for the remainder of the war.

• Fuchida, who was the lead pilot of the attack, was later wounded in the Battle of Midway. He also left Hiroshima two days before the atomic bomb was dropped on that city.

• Jackie Robinson, who became the first African-American to play in modern Major League Baseball, left Pearl Harbor, where he was playing football for the Honolulu Bears, two days before the Pearl Harbor attack.

• NFL games were underway in New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago when the announcement of the attack was made. The public address announcers asked servicemen to report to their stations.

• There are (or were, pre-pandemic) 1.8 million visitors annually to the USS Arizona Memorial. It is the number one visitor destination in Hawaii.