Saluting Our Heroes 2015

A supplement of Suburban Newspapers Inc.

HEROES

November 4, 2015

SALUTING OUR

hero: A person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities (Merriam-Webster)

Saluting our American heroes There are many ways to honor those who have served and sacrificed for their country — volunteering at the veterans home, visiting with a veteran (listening to his or her story) or helping with the 2015 Nebraska’s Official Veterans Parade.

Many of us know someone who has served in a branch of the U.S. armed forces.

Serving and recognizing these

heroes is an honor next to none.

And as important as it is to acknowledge the sacrifices these men and women made, it can be too easy to forget.

For a chance to salute those who have served in the armed forces, head to the 2015 Nebraska’s Official Veterans Parade this Saturday in Bellevue. For more information about the parade, see Page 11.

— Suburban Newspapers Inc.

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Special Sections Editor: Shelley Larsen • Section Editor and Designer: Tom Knox • Retail Advertising Manager: Dan Matuella • Special Projects Manager: Paul Swanson • Cover Image: Metro Creative Connection This special section is published by Suburban Newspapers Inc. To advertise in future sections, contact Marie Douglas at 402-444-1202.

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For all they have given to the country, we can never thank them enough.

La Vista Community Foundation will honor veterans

Honoring veterans and their families is of utmost importance to the La Vista Community Foundation (LVCF).

It believes so deeply in the need to show respect to those who have served our country through military service that it has assembled community and business leaders and organizations to present a Salute the Veterans Banquet on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the La Vista Conference Center.

This is the sixth year of the event, which demonstrates the power of collaboration on the part of community members and leaders alike. LVCF Executive Director Leah Hoins said an event such as this wouldn’t be possible without committed members of the community. “The event is catching on quickly,” she said. “This year we have expanded the event space to accommodate up to 700 veterans and their guests, and we expect it to be full.”

The event begins with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. and is followed by a program that honors the veterans and their families in attendance as well as those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while in service, and those who are missing in action.

Rob McCartney of KETV will serve as emcee. This year’s featured speaker is General Mike Kudlacz from Offutt Air Force Base. During his career, General Kudlacz has flown 220 combat hours over Southeast Asia and has commanded several units, including the 55th Wing and

salute the veterans banquet When: Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m., program begins at 6:15 p.m.

Where: La Vista Conference Center, Westport Parkway Registration: call 402-960-9625 or online at www.lavistacommunityfoundation.com/veterans-day

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the 416th Bomb Wing.

“We couldn’t do it without our sponsors,” said Hoins, who was part of the committee that made the menu selections. “The meal to be served is exquisite and simply wouldn’t be able to be offered to such a large crowd without our community partners.”

This year, the event attracted more support than in years past. Sponsors include: Yahoo, Fitzgerald Schorr Barmettler & Brennan, Omaha World-Herald, Embassy Suites/La Vista Conference Center, Norm’s Door Service, Papillion Community Foundation, Omaha Public Power District, Primrose School of La Vista, Securities America and American National Bank.

This year, the LVCF decided to create a variety of ways for all people to honor their veterans by adding a sponsorship element to their website where donors can contribute any amount. “We know that we live in a community filled with heroes,” said Hoins, “and they deserve the support of the whole community.”

To find out more or register to attend the Salute to Veterans Banquet visit, www.lavistacommunityfoundation.com/veterans-day. The cost is free to veterans and a guest, but registration is required.

— La Vista Community Foundation

“This year we have expanded the event space to accommodate up to 700 veterans and their guests, and we expect it to be full.”

Leah Hoins

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MAX DUANE MOWRER July 11, 1925 — Sept. 9, 2015

Max Duane Mowrer served during WWII for the Medical Corps from 1943 to 1945.

His tour of service took him to Africa and Italy. Mowrer was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, EuropeanAfrican-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. Also, the 7th Station Hospital was awarded the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque in July of 1945.

Max Mowrer was born on July 11, 1925, in Newton, Kansas.

He graduated from North High School in Wichita, Kansas, in 1943.

On Sept. 24 of that year, 18-year-old Mowrer entered active duty in the Army. He went to Camp Grant, Illinois, for Medical Corps training.

After his training, Private Mowrer served as a clerk with the 7th Station Hospital in Oran, North Africa.

Having a great need to serve the injured coming off the battlefields in France, the 7th Station Hospital was relocated to Tirrenia, near Leghorn, Italy, and opened there in Sept. 25, 1944.

The hospital would remain there until August 1945.

Many Brazilian servicemen were treated at the hospital, and Brazilian medical officers and nurses worked in the same space.

In February of 1945, an explosion outside Mowrer’s office space killed a Brazilian personnel, and Mowrer suffered hearing loss and ringing in his ears.

Mowrer stepped up and

performed the duties of the deceased Brazilian. He was commended in a letter by Maj. Sady Fisher of the Brazilian Expiditionary Force for his efforts.

On Aug. 11, 1945, Mowrer was promoted to technician fifth grade.

Late in 1944 and into 1945, the Germans were advancing in Europe, and decisions were made to evacuate hospitals and other locations. Eventually, after patients had been transported out of the area, the 7th Station Hospital was inactivated.

In August of 1945, Mowrer was on a board a ship bound for the Panama Canal and ultimatly the Pacific Theater to help support the troop buildup.

On Aug. 16, two days after the Japenese surrender, the ship Mowrer was on was ordered to Boston — its original orders canceled.

Mowrer was eventually honorably discharged from Camp Sibert, Alabama, in November of 1945.

— Submitted by Harvey North Witcher, son-in-law of Mowrer

Max’s grandsons Two of Max’s grandson serve in the military — Lt. Col. Brian N. Witcher (U.S. Army), left, and Lt. Col. Kelly N. Witcher (U.S. Air Force).

Their father, Harvey North Witcher, is Max Mowrer’s son-in-law. Harvey North Witcher is chief warrant officer four, United States Army Aviation (retired).

Four paws can save a wounded veteran’s life Combat-wounded veterans often face a new kind of battle when they return home.

Of the 51,000 service members that the Congressional Research Service reports have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, thousands have come home to find that not even the love and support of family and friends are enough to help them cope with their physical and mental health disabilities. They struggle with physical challenges, depression, post-traumatic stress (PTS) and suicidal thoughts.

For some of those veterans, salvation comes with four paws and a wet nose.

“I was done. I was ready to leave this body and this pain,” said Roger Lintz, a now-retired Infantry and Special Operations officer who suffered a back injury while on combat duty in Iraq. Two botched surgeries to repair the damage left him severely disabled and in excruciating pain.

“I had it all planned out. I knew how I was going to end it.”

Lying in bed, pistol in hand, “I just couldn’t do it,” he said. “I couldn’t do it in front of my dog.”

In February 2012, while between surgeries, the father of two was paired with Niles, a 5-year-old, 100-pound chocolate lab, by Paws for Purple Hearts. The nonprofit organization trains and provides service dogs free of charge to veterans with physical disabilities and PTS. The group is one of the many veterans’ organizations supported by the Purple Heart Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Military Order of the Purple .

b r an d pon i t

Service dog Niles and his human companion, retired Infantry and Special Operations Officer Roger Lintz.

Heart. The foundation also supports other nonprofits that provide service dogs to wounded veterans, such as NEADS. “Service dogs are making the lives of wounded veterans better, and in some cases they’re even saving lives,” said Jeffrey Roy, president of the board of the Purple Heart Foundation. “Veterans returning from combat face many difficulties. Service dogs help

disabled veterans meet physical challenges in day-to-day life, and provide a foundation of stable support and love for those suffering from PTS. The Veterans Administration does not fund service dog programs for issues like PTS, so it’s up to organizations like ours to help these veterans.”

Often, a service dog helps his or her veteran in multiple ways. For example, Niles assists Lintz with physical tasks and provides emotional support to help Lintz cope with his PTS. “I can’t always tell my wife what I’m going through; I don’t want her suffering anymore,” said Lintz, who served more than 30 years in the U.S. Army. “Every day I have to put on my Superman suit for the people around me, but I can tell my dog anything. He listens and he understands me without judgment.”

“We take great care to identify dogs with the right personality to help someone with PTS,” said John Moon, director of client programs and community engagement for NEADS. “Only 50 percent of all the dogs we train will qualify to work with humans, and fewer will be right for working with veterans.”

Dogs train for months — Niles trained for a year and a half — as veteran service dogs. Service dogs learn to do a variety of tasks, such as stabilize veterans with mobility issues as they walk, climb stairs, sit or stand; turn lights off and on; open doors and retrieve dropped items (Niles can pick up a single sheet of paper from the floor).

They also learn to recognize and respond to a veteran’s emotional state, providing calm, comfort and emotional support.

And while all service dogs receive task and obedience training, those helping veterans with PTS must have a special personality.

“We choose the most stable dogs for PTS veterans, and we train them in a variety of situations and settings so that no matter what they experience when they’re working with their veteran, no matter what sights or sounds they’re exposed to, they’ll be able to do their job and provide a stabilizing effect for that veteran,” Moon said.

While NEADS and PAWS provide dogs to veterans for free, it costs tens of thousands to train just one dog. Moon says NEADS spends about $47,000 to fully train a service dog for a veteran, and PAWS’ website says it spends about $25,000. The support of the Purple Heart Foundation is vital in helping NEADS and other organizations continue to provide dogs to veterans, Moon said. To make a donation in support of veterans, visit www.purpleheartfoundation.org.

His pain controlled by a morphine pump, and with Niles by his side, Lintz now volunteers for PAWS as his way of giving back and helping other veterans.

“I could never repay them for what they’ve done for me,” he said. “They gave me my best friend. They gave me a dog who saved my life.”

— Brandpoint

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STAFF Sgt. Wayne E. Marchand Oct. 3, 1932 – April 8, 1962 Staff Sgt. Marchand attended school in Bellevue and was recognized as an outstanding football player.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June 1952 with his brother Jim, cousin Charlie and two friends. Upon entering the Army he was chosen for the 1st Special Forces Group and was one of the original Green Berets.

He spent time with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany. He received orders to Okinawa in 1958. He was an adviser to the South Vietnamese volunteers.

He was killed when training Vietnamese volunteers in a field exercise near DaNang, South Vietnam, on April 8, 1962.

Posthumously Marchand was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star by the U.S. government also other medals.

He also was awarded the Freedom Bell and a medal from the government of Germany.

His parents received a special plaque from the South Vietnamese government in memory of their son Wayne, who was killed by the Viet Cong.

Many news articles were written about the events surrounding his death. Publications included the Omaha World-Herald, Bellevue Leader, the April 1984

Staff Sgt. Wayne E. Marchand enlisted in 1952 along with his brother, a cousin and two friends.

edition of Guy Magazine and the book “The Green Berets.” On May 28, 2012, the World-Herald article “Vietnam War: a Shifting Battleground” had a paragraph surrounding Staff Sgt. Marchand’s death.

The Wayne E. Marchand American Legion, Post 25 in Okinawa is named in his honor.

Marchand’s name appears on the Vietnam Memorial Wall at Panel 1E, Line 8. His name also appears on the Virtual Wall.

The Virtual Wall lists his hometown as Omaha, but Wayne always considered his hometown as Bellevue.

— Submitted by Charlene Marchand, sister-in-law of Wayne Marchand

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From the archives Wayne Marchand became one of the first members of the Army’s elite Special Forces, the Green Berets.

He learned several languages and became a paratrooper and an expert in guerrilla warfare. *** He was among the first Green Berets sent to train South Vietnamese soldiers for guerrilla combat against the communist Viet Cong.

Marchand, three other Green Berets and some South Vietnamese troops were at the village of An Chau, 12 miles from Da Nang, on the morning of April 7, 1962.

The Viet Cong attacked the camp that night but were beaten back.

The next day, the Viet Cong attacked again, this time in a larger force.

The South Vietnamese were gunned down. The Americans dived into trenches and Marchand radioed for help. *** The small outpost had been overrun. Marchand was wounded in the leg and arm. One of the other Green Berets, Sgt. James Gabriel, was wounded in the back.

The Americans were taken prisoner and forced to travel on foot with the Viet Cong, the two healthy

to those who courageously gave their lives and those who bravely fight today,

American soldiers helping Marchand and Gabriel.

Reports said the Viet Cong apparently were concerned that aid for the Americans might be on the way.

Because their party wasn’t moving fast enough, the guerrillas left the two wounded men behind.

The two Green Berets not wounded were released 23 days later. Troops later found the bodies of Marchand and Gabriel. They had been shot in the head.

They are thought to have been the third and fourth Americans killed in Vietnam. Two other American servicemen had been shot and killed two years earlier.

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*** The American Legion Club on Okinawa had been named for Wayne Marchand. His death is recorded in the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as in books and publications.

Before he was killed in Vietnam, Marchand had already been awarded the Purple Heart. After his death, he was awarded a second Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and a South Vietnamese honor.

— Excerpts taken from 1988 Omaha World-Herald article

United We Stand as We Salute

Our Heroes Bellevue Public Schools Salutes the Men, Women and Families of Offutt Air Force Base, All Military Families and Our Veterans

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William Gerald Forsee William Gerald Forsee, a 2013 graduate of Bryan High School, enlisted in the Army February 2004. He received his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He continued his training at Fort Benning, finishing Jump School that summer.

Upon completion, he was assigned to the 173rd Airborne stationed in Vicenza, Italy, for the next four years. During those four years, he had two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The second tour was for 15 months in the Korengal Valley, where his unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award.

After four years with the 173rd, he was transferred to the 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Carson, Colorado, for the next three years, where he received the rank of sergeant.

While with the 4th ID, he had his third tour of duty, this time to Iraq for a one-year deployment.

William’s next transfer was to the 3rd Infantry Division, the Old Guard in Arlington, Virginia.

He spent the next three years with the Old Guard and now has the rank of staff sergeant.

He has received six Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, four Certificates of Achievement, and various other awards and decoration.

He and his wife and three daughters are now in North Carolina, where he is stationed at Fort Bragg and taking part in more training. His current rank is sergeant first class.

— Submitted by William and Carol Forsee, parents of William Gerald Forsee

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A SALUTE TO VETERANS

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Area veterans are invited to enjoy a complimentary evening meal and entertainment compliments of the La Vista Community Foundation and our sponsors.

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Sponsorship opportunities available.

Nebraska’s Official Veterans Parade

Come out and honor veterans

Saturday at 10 a.m.

Route begins at Jackson Street and Mission Avenue and proceeds to Washington Park and Franklin Street.

The 16th annual Defenders of Freedom parade is set for Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

About 100 entries are expected for Nebraska’s Official Veterans Parade.

Entries will include active-duty and retired military and veterans groups, schools, floats, marching bands, businesses and elected officials.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles will again be serving breakfast to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at 209 W. Mission Ave. — Suburban Newspapers Inc.

Grayson Liudahl rode in style while showing his spirit.

Bellevue East’s marching band took part in the parade last year.

The Bellevue West JROTC drill squad showed off their skills.

S U B U R B A N N E W S PA P E R S I N C .

Bellevue West High’s Air Force JROTC members carried the colors in last year’s Veterans Day parade through Olde Towne Bellevue.

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Please join us in honoring those who have served our nation on Veterans Day, November 11, by thanking the veterans in your life using #ThankAVeteran.