HONORING OUR VETERANS Taking service to new heights By Alicia Noragon
Honorable, brave, patriotic, and true leader are just a few words to describe Robert (Bob) C. Green. These words are just a glimpse into the character and qualities that make Bob not only a beloved member of the community, but a devoted hero for our county. Bob was born in Pontiac MI in the spring of 1962 to father, Charles L. Green and mother, Jacqueline J. Green. Growing up with three sisters, Bob was eager to follow in his father’s footsteps and sought out his duty into military service. Volunteering to join the US Army at just 17 years old, he reported for active duty on June 7, 1980. He was then sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama for Basic Training, and Military Police School. The following October he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas as an MP (Military Police) and then transferred to Pforzheim Germany and was stationed there as a Nuclear Missile Security Guard until his honorable discharge in June 1983. Bob was recalled to active duty in the summer of 1986 to work as an MP at Fort Dietrich Maryland. After leaving the Military, Bob worked at Tahquamenon Falls, Rahilly Motors, and Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant. In 1986 he was married and proceeded to have two children, Charles, and
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US Army at Fort McClellan in 1980.
Sarah. In February 1987, Bob joined the Michigan State Police as a State Trooper. In 1996 he was awarded the Trooper of the Year Award for the entire Upper Peninsula. He was stationed at the Newberry Post until 1997, when promoted to Sergeant at the Jackson Post. After marrying his
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current wife, Janet, he transferred to the Gaylord Post in 2000, and in 2003 transferred to the Houghton Lake Post, where he retired in 2016. Bob is a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, Expert .45 Caliber Pistol, Expert M-16 Rifle, Expert M-60 Machine Gun and Expert Hand ▪ See TAKING SERVICE on page 14
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Taking service
Bob Green stands proud during Mid-Michigan Honor Flight ceremony. ~ Photo courtesy of Heather Green Continued from page 13
Grenade badges. For the past 3 years, Bob has been a bailiff for the Crawford County Sherrif’s Department. In his spare time, he takes pride in his Presidency of the Mid- Michigan Honor Flight. The honor flight program transports veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honor them. As President of the honor flight and a Crawford County Veterans Committee Member, Bob has participated on 12 flights to Washington D.C. Each flight carried between 55- 75 World War II era, Korean War era, and Vietnam War era veterans. The heroes on these flights are treated to a once in a lifetime Tour of Honor with an all expenses paid trip. These voyages consist of visiting the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall, and the Lincoln Memorial. On some occasions they can lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and visit Arlington Cemetery and see the Changing of the Guard. Veterans
are welcomed home with a special ceremony at the airport. Dining and reminiscing with Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and Omaha Beach survivors has been a humbling experience for Bob. “I was able to meet the oldest living Sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who served there in 1938, 1939, and 1940. We took him back to the Tomb to see his name added to the list of Tomb Sentinels.” Bob said as he looks back on some of his fondest memories of his time with the Honor Flight. “The United States Military is the greatest fighting force in the world, as demonstrated by our involvement is wars and battles all around the globe. The men and women that went before you worked hard to preserve the rights and freedoms that you now protect, our future is in your hands”! Remember, it’s never too late to thank a veteran. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Four Squad Leaders of the G Company 1st Platoon, 29th Regiment, Combat Team in Korea. (l-r) Bill Channing, R. Hester, Charles Green, and Robert Bergeron.
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Honoring our local heroes
▪ Austin Romancky, Jennifer, U.S. Navy, 1999-2003, St. Helen ▪ Balhorn. Kenneth M., U.S. Navy. 1971
Craig Carrick ▪ Dixon, Jack, U.S. Air Force, 1962 Jennifer Austin Romancky
▪ Bauman, Josh, U.S. Coast Guard, 2020 ▪ Bramer, Corey, Marine Corps, 2021 ▪ Brinn, Joseph A., U.S. Army, CW3, Vietnam 1968, A Trp, 7/17 Air Cavalry, Huey Crew Chief and Gunner, retired 1987, Oscoda
▪ Edwards, Dallas, Army National Guard, 1992 ▪ Elgert, Walter, U.S. Navy, 1975 ▪ Emry, Kenneth, U.S. Air Force, Civil Engineer, 1981-2004 ▪ Faust, Donald, U.S. Army, IHO, Sergeant, Honorably Discharged 1965
▪ Brinn, Joseph, Vietnam, 1968 ▪ Callahan, Isaac, U.S. Army, SPC, 2004-05, KFOR 4A, OIF ▪ Carrick, Craig, FRG in 80-84, Wurzburg HHC 3Rd ID
Mark Constance
▪ Foster, Larry, U.S. Army, 2005, 95B, Formerly Houghton Lake ▪ Frank, Dennis A., U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1970 ▪ Goodman, Gene N., U.S. Air Force, 1962 Joe Brinn
▪ Gordert-Jones, Tina, U.S. Navy, Hospital Corpsman, 1984
▪ Cole, Sean, U.S. Army, 2010 ▪ Constance, Mark, 82nd Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army, 12B, Bamberg, Fort Leonard Wood, 1982, Roscommon ▪ Crittenden, Michael L., Retired Air Force Master Sergeant E-7, Jan. 1975 – Oct. 1995, Mio
Michael L. Crittenden
▪ Harmon, Tom, U.S. Air Force, Jet Fighter Crew Chief, 1962-68 ▪ Headland, Ron, U.S. Army, 1983 Isaac Callahan
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▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 16
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Local heroes Continued from page 15
▪ Hicks, Robert, 379th Bombardment ▪ Hock, J.D., U.S. Army, 26V Signal Corps, 1984-88, Oscoda
Donald Faust ▪ Hughes, Lillian, U.S. Navy, 1993
Darryl Johnson
▪ Hunt, Alan, U.S. Army, 1969, 11th CAV, Vietnam, ▪ Ingle, Barbara Ann, U.S. Navy, 1966-1969
Frank Dennis
▪ Herblet, Troy, U.S. Army, 2021, Germany, Georgia and North Carolina, from Grayling
Josh Johnson
Robert Hicks
Bradley Irwin
▪ Irwin, Bradley, U.S. Army, Vietnam Larry Foster
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J.D. Hock
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▪ Johnson, Darryl, U.S. Navy Seabees, retired, Hale
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Matthew Johnson ▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 17
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Local heroes Continued from page 16
▪ Johnson, Josh, Active Duty, U.S. Navy, Hale ▪ Johnson, Matthew, U.S. Marine Corps, formerly of Hale ▪ Johnston, Alan, U.S. Air Force, 576th FLTS/30th MXS, 1992 – 1997
Ken Melvin
▪ McKuen, William, U.S. Marine Corps, 2020, Prescott ▪ McIsaac, Stacy, 2010-2012, U.S. Army, 14E Patriot Missile Operator and Maintainer, Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX Cecil Kirkendall
▪ Melvin, Ken, U.S. Air Force, 1967, Basic Training, Roscommon
▪ Jones, Kenny, 1976-1980, U.S. Air Force, 754th Radar Sq, Port Austin AFS, MI; 19831985, 1438th Engineer Det., Camp Grayling; 1985-1993, 127th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance, Weapons Branch, Selfridge ANG Base, MI; 20002017, Ammunition Supply Point, Camp Grayling, MI
Branden Peltier
▪ Nieman, Marilyn, U.S. Army, Journalist, 1973 ▪ Peltier, Branden R., U.S. Army, 2023 ▪ Plohg, James, U.S. Army, Honorable discharge 1977
David Luck
▪ Kirkendall, Cecil ▪ Luck, David, Missile Technician Second Class (E5), MT2/SS, U.S.S George C. Marshall, Discharge 1/20/94, Was Stationed at Groton, CT, Roscommon ▪ Mathews, Gerald, U.S. Army, 1967
James Phlog
Roger Priest
▪ Priest, Roger, 1st Marines, 3rd Division, Amphibious Amtrak Tractor Division, discharge date August 28, 1968. 2 tours; 2019 to current, Vol. Driver DAV for Crawford County William McKuen
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▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 18
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Local heroes Continued from page 17
▪ Raymond, Daniel, U.S. Air Force, 1975 ▪ Robertson, Ralph, U.S. Army, 2007-13; Afghanistan, 201202013, Mio
▪ Robinson III, Steven, U.S. Marine Corps, 2020 ▪ Rollison, James C., U.S. Army, 101st Airborne, 1967 ▪ Serens, Michael A., U.S. Navy, 1986 ▪ Shay, Robert A., U.S. Navy Seabees, 1970 ▪ Shearer, Loren, U.S. Army, 2015, Navy, 1989, Houghton Lake
Ralph Robertson Loren Shearer
▪ Shilling, John, U.S Army, 1988 ▪ Shilling, Rachele, U.S Army 1986, U.S Navy, 1992 ▪ Shurtz, Jon, Specialist, U.S. Army, Active 2011-2014, 7th Engineer Battalion 642nd Engineer Support Company, Fort Drum, NY, Afghanistan 2012 ▪ Smith, Suzette, U.S. Air Force, MBT 1981, 190th ARW, KSANG, Communications, retired 2011 Steven Robinson III
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▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 20
Northern Michigan veteran get-togethers
OTSEGO COUNTY 1st Wed– Otsego Co. Veterans Coffee hour Gaylord Regional Airport, located at 1100 Aero Drive, Gaylord, MI 49735. 9 a.m. Info: 989731-7575 OGEMAW COUNTY 1st Wednesday at West Branch Senior Center at 1528 S. M-33 at 9 a.m. Ogemaw County Veterans Commission members are in attendance and hold board meeting afterward. Info: 989345-5170 ROSCOMMON COUNTY 1st Thursday Roscommon County Veterans Coffee hour at Blodgett Airport, located at 5218 E Houghton Lake Drive. 989366-7660, 9 a.m. 2nd Wednesday, Roscommon Senior Center, 510 South Street, Roscommon, 9 a.m. 2nd Thursday, Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 149 West Robinson Lake Road, Roscommon, 9-11 a.m. Personal care pantry available. Info: 989-275-6047. ALCONA COUNTY 1st Sunday of month 2-4 p.m. at Lincoln-Alcona High School, 51
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North Varlow Road in Harrisville. Info: (989) 724-9510. CRAWFORD COUNTY 2nd Thursday - Crawford County Veterans Coffee, 9 a.m. at American Legion Post 106 in Grayling, located at 106 S James Street in Grayling, Info: (989) 344-3861 OSCODA COUNTY 3rd Monday – Oscoda County Veterans “get together” at Luzerne American Legion located at 202 Legion Street, 2 p.m., Info: 989-786-0355. CHEBOYGAN COUNTY 4th Wednesday - Veterans Coffee at American Legion at 450 West State Street in Cheboygan. 9 a.m. Info: (231) 627-8833
ALPENA COUNTY Fourth Thursday at Art in the Loft in the Center Building at 109 Second Ave, Third Floor. (LMM) IOSCO COUNTY 3rd Thursday —Iosco County Veterans Coffee, American Legion Post, 211 located 900 E. Lincoln St, East Tawas; Info: 989-362-2976 / 362-6571 rwhitney@ioscocounty.org.
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Local heroes Continued from page 18
▪ Vittitow, Ron, U.S. Marine Corps, 1969, West Branch
Jon Shurtz
▪ Stanaway, Logan, Active-duty U.S. Army, Fort Sil, Oklahoma, Roscommon ▪ Stutesman, Warren, U.S. Marine Corps, E-4, 1980-84, Mio ▪ Sutter, John, 1974, Vietnam, U.S.M.C., St. Helen
Warren Stutesman
▪ Witherspoon, Calvin R., U.S. Army, 1974-1976, Michigan Army National Guard 1982-2009, SFC Retired Deployed Iraq/ Kuwait 2004-05, Roscommon
▪ Venable, Robert D., U.S. Marine Corps, 1958
Suzette Smith
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Calvin Witherspoon
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I knew a man among men By Mark Constance
With another Veteran’s Day approaching, I’m reminded of a man I knew while serving in the U.S. Army. It was 1982 and I was trying to hustle a few extra bucks to supplement my Spec. 4 pay. So I took a part-time job bailing hay near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (or ‘Lost in the Woods’ for the initiated). Four of us bounced a few miles down an overgrown two-track in the back of an old Chevy pickup. I met with a grizzled old farmer dressed in weathered bib overalls and a white t-shirt. He lived a simple life. His home was modest. It had one large room and was heated with a wood stove. He had electricity, but didn’t use it for lights, preferring gas lamps. He told us he had the power turned on a few years earlier to operate a hay elevator because his knees bothered him “a bit.” Some of the best water I ever drank was drawn from a hand well. His only other modern convenience was a small, black and white TV with aluminum foil on the antennae. After a brief discussion. We agreed on a rate of three cents a bale, shook hands and went to work. Over the course of a few days, I could tell this farmer was the kind of guy who had good friends and a solid reputation. He was the guy who would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.
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He didn’t speak much. But when he did, people listened. Everything he said had a purpose. After the first cutting was finished, I sat at a wood picnic table in a buddy’s yard with him and a few other guys. It was a stifling, muggy day. The air smelled like a thunderstorm was coming. We grilled burgers and had a few beers and talked about our experiences in the service – Where we had been. What we had done. He told us a few stories about his sergeant in basic training, and we all laughed. Every vet has a story about “that bastard.” He also said the only thing he ever regretted about being in the service was that he never got to have a family. A young man without kids, I didn’t think anything of it at the moment. After the farmer left, one of the older men explained he’d been in the “Bataan Death March” during WWII. After American troops were surrendered by Major General Edward P. King in the Philippines, Japanese troops marched 76,0000 prisoners of war from Mariveles, on the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula, to San Fernando, 55 miles away, and ultimately to “Camp O’Donnel” in Mukden. If prisoners couldn’t make the trek and fell down, they were dragged to the side of the road and shot, bayonetted or beheaded. Others were made to dig their own graves and buried alive. Just 54,000 men reached O’Donnel, and thousands more died afterward from malnutrition and disease before the camp was finally liberated in August 1945. He survived the march itself. But while in captivity at O’Donnel, in what we might call a war crime today, his Japanese captors cut off his testicles. I’m still humbled and honored by the experience of having met him. He asked for nothing from any man. He accepted no pity from anyone. And he lived life on his terms. So, whenever I hear “Taps” being played, I think of this man and what he gave for his county. And the many veterans who were just glad to make it back home – alive.
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