Tribune vets tab 2015

Friday, November 6, 2015

Page 2 | veterans day | friday, november 6, 2015

Freeborn county sheriFF learns liFe lessons From 2 decades oF service by sam Wilmes

sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com

Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag has learned lifelong lessons from his 20 years of military service.

After graduating from Granite Falls High School in 1985, Freitag enlisted in the U.S. Army. He attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and was deployed to Germany.

Freitag, 49, spent two years in Dexheim, Germany, from December 1985 until 1987 in the 12th Engineer Battalion as a combat engineer, where he worked his way up from a private, to a private first class, to a specialist.

Freitag was awarded achievement and commendation medals in the Army.

He said he drew part of his inspiration to serve from the experience of his father, Horace, who served in the Army for 32 years and retired as a full colonel.

Freitag was promoted to sergeant at the 6th Ranger Training Battalion in December 1987, where he served until

Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag served 20 years in the military before retiring from the National Guard in 2005. sam wilmes/albert lea tribune October 1990 at Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle.

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He was medically dropped from ranger school after a parachute training accident in Fort Benning, Georgia, on Dec. 7, 1988. While 100 feet in the air, Freitag’s parachute reportedly collapsed after the suspension lines tangled.

He ruptured the tendons and ligaments in his right ankle. The injury has never fully healed, he said.

Despite the injury, Freitag remained in the Army until October 1990, when he returned to his hometown.

Despite the scars of military service, Freitag doesn’t regret his time serving

the country.

“I wouldn’t have traded it for everything,” he said. “As a young soldier, it forces you to grow up and you learn responsibility really quickly.”

He said he learned interpersonal skills, chain of command, self-sacrifice, leadership and a sense of duty.

Freitag joined the National Guard in May 1991 as a combat engineer. He was part of the Minnesota 682nd Engineer Battalion. He deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in September 2003, where he was in charge of a minefield extraction team. He returned in the spring of 2004.

Freitag recalled the distaste different factions of the country had for each other and the scars left from the Bosnian War. He said despite the problems Americans face, his time in Bosnia — a country that he said lacked hope — taught him the benefits of living in the United States.

“You have an appreciation of what we have here in the United States,” Freitag said.

He retired as a sergeant first class in June 2005.

Freitag attended what is now Ridgewater Community College. He began working for the Glenville Police Department in October 1993 and joined the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office in July 1995.

Freitag was elected sheriff in November 2014.

He lives with his wife, Cheryl, just west of Albert Lea, and has two grown daughters, Ashlyn, who is in the Air Force, and Lindsey, who is in college.

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Freitag in training at Fort Polk in Louisiana before deploying to Bosnia. Provided

friday, november 6, 2015 | veterans day friday, | Page nov 3

Veterans then Hartland and nownative haverecalls Local timeevents spent in to Army recognize overseas veterans durin similar needs coming home

who was born and raised in Albert Lea and served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He received an honorable Throughout the years the United benefits available are more publicized, years later, some memories Several events are slated for Veter- discharge as a staff sergeant.

States has been involved in many wars, Even and 60 military services are more vocal fade. ans Day in Albert Lea this year.

After Parry’s remarks, the Carwhich then produced many war veterans.never about the opportunities.

Hartland native National Donald Johnson, The day begins with a special veter- eyaires will provide a musical selection.

These men and women fought for their ForThe Minnesota Guard has that statement ringsthe truebenefits for ans program at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Olson will lead a closing prayer, activeespecially in promoting -country, both on foreign and domestichis been service with the U.S. Army during and the colors will be recognized by Southwest Middle School. available to veterans.

National Guard tsoil, and then returned to their homesWorld War II. Albert Lea American Legion Post 56 Jon Rhiger, sergeant at arms. After members only have access to benefits nto take up their old lives.

Johnson, now 95, said he was first Cmdr. Wes Halverson said at about 8 dismissal, the colors will be brought Some of the country’s oldest veterans if they are federally activated; if a govdrafted in 1941. He spent his basic a.m., doughnuts and coffee and juice back to the American Legion. ,right now are those who fought in World ernor activates them, federal benefits training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will be available at the American Legion The noon program begins at the -War II. do not where he apply. learned field artillery and club.

American Legion with a POW and MIA is also changing veterThough some of the country’s oldesttruck Technology mechanic skills.

He then went on Events will move from the Legion remembrance service by Halverson. ans,Jackson as it hasineverything else in society. veterans fought in World War II, youngto Fort South Carolina where to the Freeborn County Courthouse at Prayer will again be led by Olson. sAmerican men and women are coming With World War II, soldiers’ letters took 10:40 a.m. he became a part of the 30th National There are other veterans programs weeks, and the ride on the ship back to back as veterans every day from otherGuard At 10:50 a.m., there will be a raising at other schools throughout the day.

Infantry Division.

-deployments.

United Stateswent gavetothe soldierintime Inthe 1943 Johnson a camp of colors, a volley fire and the playing of At 6 p.m., the Legion will be open for e Freeborn County veterans staff to decompress before returning back to Tennessee and then to Camp Atterbury “Taps” outside at the Freeborn County dinner, and then at 7 p.m. there will be nsaid the soldiers, sailors, marines and society. in Indiana. On Feb. 1, 1944, Johnson left a Nation of Patriots presentation. The Veterans Memorial. .airmen then and now have similar needs and video chatting from Today, Bostonemail for England.

He said heproAt 11 a.m., the program will move Nation of Patriots was founded in 2009 twhen they get back from war. The sol- grams are instantaneous, and flights back and his fellow soldiers spent their time indoors to the commissioners room. as a way to financially assist combat rdiers are often young and don’t quite from Afghanistan allow soldiers to see working and fighting their way toward Halverson will give a welcome, and wounded veterans with dependents .know what to do or how to transitition their families within days; however, Legion chaplain Dave Olson will give who were coming home from war with France once they arrived in Europe. His sback into society after deployments. the transition back into society the opening prayer. company made it to France on Junedoesn’t 17, unmet financial needs. t World War II veterans don’t feel they happen that quickly.

This year the local chapter will rec-J 1944, missing the Normandy landings The Pledge of Allegiance will be e two weeks.that have come to vetsaid, and there will be recognition of ognize three veterans from Albert Lear should take benefits and services now whenby almost Other changes he spent D-Day away fromare the the prisoners of war and soldiers missing with almost $3,000 each: Scott Heilman,J there are younger veterans in need. How- Though erans through the generations in action. landing operations, Johnson Grant VanRyswyk and Ryan Sabinish.P ever, the system doesn’t work that way. infamous services themselves. still aspecialized, major amount of The speaker will be former Minneso- All three men ae Purple Heart recipiYounger veterans getting out of thesaid there Somewas are more especially going by thefield timewith he and his ta state Sen. Michael Parry of Waseca, ents. The public is welcome to attend. service are encouraged to seek out ben-conflict within the on medical post-trauJohnson, now 95, worked as a mechanic during World War II. Colleen Harrison/albert p soldiers efits when older generations weren’t. Thefellow matic stressarrived. disorder.

“There was still a lot of hard fighting lea tribune L ahead there to get out of Normandy,” h was still difficult to really communihe said.

That same month, Johnson, along with f Timetable of benefits available to veterans: Johnson and his comrades continued 22,000 other soldiers returned to the cate as most of the letters were usually m n to fightduty: acrossUnemployment France and pushed toward United States on the Queen Mary. He censored by the Army. a limited time from release from active Germany after making it through Nor- then went to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, Once Johnson was honorably dis- T compensation 90 days: Dental, re-employment mandy. He said they had almost made before returning home to Hartland for charged from the Army, he returned to f it to Berlin when German troops were a 30-day furlough, which he was given Hartland where he said he worked on 120 days: Servicemens Group life insurance converted to Veterans Group captured and Adolf Hitler committed a 15-day extension on top of due to the his family’s farm for about 21 years. He r life insurance suicide on April 30, 1945. disabilities Army being overwhelmed with return- and Louise also had a son, Steven, and a a two years: G.I. insurance for veterans with service-connected In the Johnson said they ing soldiers. Johnson said he spent his daughter, Mary. Johnson then worked at A 10 years: G.I. Bill services expire 10 years frommeantime, release date.

This includes stayed near Elbe River in Germany on furlough back in Hartland with his wife, a gravel business in Albert Lea for about educational benefits. guard duty.

Eventually, Johnson was 12 years: Vocational rehabilitation for those with service-connected 10 told Louise, who he married on March 2, 14 years and then as a janitor at First t he would be sent to Japan. benefits The Japanese 1942, after he had been drafted. John- Lutheran Church for five years before f percent disability or more. Rehabilitation includes educational and government surrendering Aug. 15, son said he and his wife kept in contact retiring. He has also been a member of a a monthly living allowance. Once a veteran has gone through theonprogam, 1945, derailed those plans, though, John- through letters during his time away the Albert Lea American Legion since there will be assistance in finding employment. son wascompensation, happy to find out. from home in the service, but that it he returned home from his service. b No time limit: Service-connected disability medical care, readjustment counseling, home loans, employment assistance, assisted housing or nursing care in veterans homes, reduced property traxes, free fishing Thank You Veterans! and hunting licenses, military ID aaccess to commissaries. after death: Military honors, some monetary burial benefits and death and indemnity compensation for spouse and benefactors. by colleen harrison

colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com

by sarah stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

505 E Main St.

373-0636

George R. Lundstrom DDS

— Contact the Freeborn County Veterans Service Office at 377-5184 for details about these services. Other services are available to dependents and spouses.

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E. William 109 St.W. Park 2401 Ave.Bridge220 Ave.E. William St. 2401 Bridge Ave. Albert Lea Hollandale Albert Lea Albert LeaBy sarah stultzAlbert Lea 7) 373-5500 (507) 889-4311 (507) 373-8600 (507) 373-5500 (507) 373-8600 sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

By sarah one of stultz the worst parts of her job was one of the worst parts of her job was sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com writing messages to mothers whose sons writing messages to mothers whose sons ucestatebank.com www.producestatebank.com MEMBER were killed in duty. were killed in duty.

FDIC on the first Wednesday of every month, on the Paczkowski first Wednesday said she of every met her month, husband Paczkowski said she met her husband a group of women from Freeborn County a group while of women in San Diego. from Freeborn He was attending County the while in San Diego. He was attending the meet at the Albert Lea American Legion. meetmetalsmith at the Albert school Lea American at the training Legion. center. metalsmith school at the training center.

Though they come from all different Though They they got come engaged from after all different only knowing They got engaged after only knowing each otherthey for are fourunited weeks, and then each other for four weeks, and then got backgrounds, they are united under one backgrounds, under one got married only twohave months later. common factor: They have all had some common factor: They all had some married only two months later. form of military service. form of She military servedservice. from September 1953 to She served from September 1953 to Called the Freeborn County Women Called December the Freeborn 1954. County Women December 1954.

“I remember putonthe uniform “I remember when I put the uniform Veterans, the women catch up on things Veterans, the womenwhen catchI up things happening in each other’s lives, tell happening on, I felt inproud,” each other’s she said. lives, “I felt tellvery on, I felt proud,” she said. “I felt very stories, collect donations for area food stories, proud. collect Sometimes donations when for Iarea wasfood walking proud. Sometimes when I was walking TCF Troy Thompson LUTCF shelves and take part in other activities shelves down and the take street, partIinfelt other 10 feet activities tall.” down the street, I felt 10 feet tall.”

Lea 1330 W. Main, Albert Lea such as the Third of July Parade and in such asDeanne the Third of July Parade and in said Deanne Luedtke, another member, said Luedtke, another member, 7-974-9597 Bus.: 507-377-2852 Toll Free: 877-974-9597 the past a flag program the past a flag program she joined the Army nashe joined the Army nal.com E-Mail: troythompsonagency@gmail.com at the schools. at the schools. tional Guard in 1984 in tional Guard in 1984 in “We’re trying to get “We’re trying to get muskego, Wisconsin, at muskego, Wisconsin, at more women to come more women to come the age of 34. A single the age of 34. A single with us,” said one with us,” said one mother working as a limother working as a liof the women, Joan of the women, Joan censed practical nurse, censed practical nurse, Paczkowski.

Paczkowski. she said she wanted a she said she wanted a She encouraged any She encouraged any part-time job for more part-time job for more women veterans of women veterans money. of money.

She started out as an any branch of the miliany branch of the mili-She started out as an tary to consider jointary to consider joinLPn in a combat unit LPn in a combat unit ing the group, which ing the group, which on the weekends and on the weekends and meets at 11:30 a.m. the meets at 11:30 a.m. the transitioned over to the transitioned over to the first Wednesday of the first Wednesday of the military police in 1986. military police in 1986.

She worked her way up She worked her way up month. month.

Paczkowski said she Paczkowski said she through different levels through different levels — veteran Deanna — veteran Deanna feels lucky to be born feels lucky to be born of command up to the of command up to the luedtke luedtke in the United States and in the United States and division headquarters. division headquarters. is proud of her service. is proud of her service.During her service During her service She said she knew she wanted to serve She she said also sheserved knew she short wanted stintstoinserve Holland, she also served short stints in Holland, and when she was 11 or 12 years old and she whenGermany she was 11 orPanama.

12 years old and she Germany and Panama. saw a newspaper with five women in unisaw a newspaper In 1994, she with said fiveshe women was in fortunate uniIn 1994, she said she was fortunate accepted to be accepted to the warrant officer form on the cover. formtoonbethe cover. to the warrant officer “How proud they were,” she said. “It was “How program. proud they Thewere,” program she said. started “It was with 67 program. The program started with 67 onlyWorld 19 graduated. right after the second World War. I saw that rightcadets, after theand second War. I saw that cadets, and only 19 graduated.

By that time,what she Iwas intoadministraBy that time, she was in administraand thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’” and thought, ‘That’s want do.’”

Paczkowski said she was anxious to Paczkowski said she wasrank anxious to tion and retired at the rank of warrant tion and retired at the of warrant officer two.jumped at the chance to officer two. join and in 1953 jumped at the chance to join and in 1953 enroll in the navy when the enrollment enroll in “I enjoyed the navy every when minute the enrollment of it,” Luedtke “I enjoyed every minute of it,” Luedtke age was lowered to 18. age was 18. able-bodied person said.lowered “I thinkto every said. “I think every able-bodied person From Left to Right Left to Right SheFrom attended nine weeks of boot camp She ought attended to donine a military weeks ofstint boot wherever camp ought to do a military stint wherever Front Row: Middle Row: BackFront Row: Row: in Bainbridge, Middle Row: maryland, Backat Rowthe : U.S. in Bainbridge, their interest maryland, lies.” at the U.S. their interest lies.” hard Nelson Dean Hovland TedRichard Spain Nelson Dean Hovland Ted Spain She also had an opportunity to serve She also had an opportunity to serve naval Training Center, where she said naval Training Center, where she said in Christenson Dwight Poole John Marvin Foss Christenson Dwight Poole John Foss many fond memories. she has many fondvice memories. as secretary, president and then as secretary, vice president and then ger Kofstad Leo Pedersen EmilRoger Lykken Kofstad she hasLeo Pedersen Emil Lykken arryl Walk Robert Hacker Don Metcalfe Darryl Walk Robert Don she Metcalfe After bootHacker camp, she said attended After president boot camp, of the she enlisted said sheAssociation. attended president of the enlisted Association. an Mellum Richard Doppelhammer RogerDan Dahl Mellum radio Richard Doppelhammer Roger where Dahl school in San Diego, she radio school PatriciainJohannsen, San Diego, another wheremember, she Patricia Johannsen, another member, ence Beenken Donald Chryst Gerald Clarence Joachim Beenken Donald Chryst Gerald Joachim learned morse code and how to fix radio learned said morse she signed code and up for how the to Army fix radio nurse said she signed up for the Army nurse eo Meyers Marvin Brindel Ken Adams Leo Meyers Marvin Brindel Ken Adams After she finished she machines.

Corps.After whenshe shefinished was in nursing school she schoolCorps. when she was in nursing school d Perschbacher Art Christiansen DonaldGates Perschbachermachines.

Art Christiansen Russell school Gates 901 Luther Place, Albert Lea Russell ames Mely Claude Engebretson Ervin Himmerich James Mely was Claude Engebretson Ervin Diego Himmerichnaval assigned to the San was assigned to the San Diego naval 507-373-8226 Training Center, where she worked on Training Center, where she worked on www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org Not pictured: Arline Gore, George Warner, Ray WestendorfNot pictured:teletype Arline Gore,and George Warner, Westendorfmessages. sent andRay received teletype and sent and received messages. see Women, Page 5 see Women, Page 5

mmunity since 1926!

Serving the community since 1926!

Thanks to all Veterans!

Thanks to all Veterans!

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Country Served

“I enjoyed every minute of it. I think every ablebodied person ought to do a military stint wherever their interest lies.”

Country

“I enjoyed every minute of it. I think every ablebodied person ought to do a military stint wherever their interest lies.”

friday, november 6, 2015 | veterans day friday, | Page nov 5

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The women are aand partJoan of the Freeborn County from left are Luedtke, Patricia Johannsen Paczkowski.

The women are a part of the Freeborn County Women Veterans who meet the first Wednesday of everywho month. sarah stultz/albert lea tribune Women Veterans meet the first Wednesday of every month. sarah stultz/albert lea tribune

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Deanna Luedtke

floor. from Soldiers all over with varyingfloor. Soldiers from all over with varying Continued Pagefrom 4

ranks came through there with injuries.ranks came through there with injuries. she didfrom thatfrom for three years. She said she did that for three years. in 1965. She graduated from from nursing in 1965.She Shesaid graduated nursing sheinto met her duty former While there, she met her former school in 1966 and went into active duty schoolWhile in 1966there, and went active after she got her registered nurse degree. afterhusband. she got her registered nurse degree. husband. said her time in field the service was a She said her time in the service was a She attended medical field service She She attended medical service good her. school at Fort Sam Houston in San Anschool at learning Fort Samexperience Houston infor San An- good learning experience for her. learned a lot,” Johannsen said. “I “I learned a lot,” Johannsen said. “I tonio, Texas, which included six weeks tonio, “I Texas, which included six weeks felt like I wasThere doingwere something for myfelt like I was doing something for my of basic training. There were three plaof basic training. three placountry.

I wasand proud there.

I stillcountry. I was proud to be there. I still toons of women and one of men who toons of women onetoofbemen who about Vietnam about how peoplefeel bad about Vietnam about how people were all in the medical field, and they werefeel allbad in the medical field, and they accepted back.” accepted back.” took classes on military and justice and tookwere classes on military and justice and were Patricia Johannsen P went out for training with helicopters went out for training with helicopters and trains. and trains.

After basic training, they could iden- After basic training, they could idenSendthey a letter to thelike editor.

Send a letter to the editor. tify three areas where they would like tify three areas where would to be sent. She did not get sent to one of to be sent. She did not get sent to one of her top three choices but was instead her top three choices but was instead sent to Fort Hood in Texas. sent to Fort Hood in Texas. letters@albertleatribune.com letters@albertleatribune.com Johannsen Deanna Luedtke said she was assigned Johannsen said she was assigned

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to work at a new Army hospital in anto work at a new Army hospital in an Women all-male ward on the medical surgicalall-male ward on the medical surgical

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mber Page 6, 2015 6 | veterans day | friday, november 6, 2015

n county sheriFF learns liFe From 2 decades oF service

Hartland native Donald Johnson served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Colleen Harrison/albert

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Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag served 20 years in the military before retiring from the National Guard in 2005. sam wilmes/albert lea tribune October 1990 at Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida panhandle.

He was medically dropped from ranger school after a parachute training accident in Fort Benning, Georgia, on Dec. 7, 1988. While 100 feet in the air, Freitag’s parachute reportedly collapsed after the suspension lines tangled.

He ruptured the tendons and ligaments in his right ankle. The injury has never fully healed, he said.

Despite the injury, Freitag remained in the Army until October 1990, when he returned to his hometown.

Despite the scars of military service, Freitag doesn’t regret his time serving

‘my life as i remember it’

o Our yees Who Served...

less You We Salute Our Troops! hank You

Thank you for your service

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Thank you for the great job, to all our current and former military members!

www.securitybankmn.com FDIC Freitag in training at Fort Polk in Louisiana before deploying to Bosnia. Provided

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the country.

“I wouldn’t have traded it for everything,” he said. “As a young soldier, it forces you to grow up and you learn responsibility really quickly.”

He said he learned interpersonal skills, chain of command, self-sacrifice, leadership and a sense of duty.

Freitag joined the National Guard in May 1991 as a combat engineer. He was part of the Minnesota 682nd Engineer Battalion. He deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in September 2003, where he was in charge of a minefield extraction team. He returned in the spring of 2004.

Freitag recalled the distaste different factions of the country had for each other and the scars left from the Bosnian War. He said despite the problems Americans face, his time in Bosnia — a country that he said lacked hope — taught him the benefits of living in the United States.

“You have an appreciation of what we have here in the United States,” Freitag said.

He retired as a sergeant first class in June 2005.

Freitag attended what is now Ridgewater Community College. He began working for the Glenville Police Department in October 1993 and joined the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office in July 1995.

Freitag was elected sheriff in November 2014.

He lives with his wife, Cheryl, just west of Albert Lea, and has two grown daughters, Ashlyn, who is in the Air Force, and Lindsey, who is in college.

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friday, november 6, 2015 | veterans day | Page 7

Hartland native recalls time spent in Army overseas during World War II by colleen harrison

colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com

Even 60 years later, some memories never fade.

For Hartland native Donald Johnson, that statement especially rings true for his service with the U.S. Army during World War II. Johnson, now 95, said he was first drafted in 1941. He spent his basic training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he learned field artillery and truck mechanic skills. He then went on to Fort Jackson in South Carolina where he became a part of the 30th National Guard Infantry Division.

In 1943 Johnson went to a camp in Tennessee and then to Camp Atterbury in Indiana. On Feb. 1, 1944, Johnson left from Boston for England. He said he and his fellow soldiers spent their time working and fighting their way toward France once they arrived in Europe. His company made it to France on June 17, 1944, missing the Normandy landings by almost two weeks.

Though he spent D-Day away from the infamous landing operations, Johnson said there was still a major amount of conflict going on by the time he and his fellow soldiers arrived.

“There was still a lot of hard fighting ahead there to get out of Normandy,” he said.

Johnson and his comrades continued to fight across France and pushed toward Germany after making it through Normandy. He said they had almost made it to Berlin when German troops were captured and Adolf Hitler committed suicide on April 30, 1945.

In the meantime, Johnson said they stayed near Elbe River in Germany on guard duty. Eventually, Johnson was told he would be sent to Japan. The Japanese government surrendering on Aug. 15, 1945, derailed those plans, though, Johnson was happy to find out.

Thank

You Veterans!

Johnson and his wife, Louise, were married March 2, 1942, about one year after Johnson was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Provided

Johnson, now 95, worked as a mechanic during World War II. Colleen Harrison/albert lea tribune

That same month, Johnson, along with 22,000 other soldiers returned to the United States on the Queen Mary. He then went to Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, before returning home to Hartland for a 30-day furlough, which he was given a 15-day extension on top of due to the Army being overwhelmed with returning soldiers. Johnson said he spent his furlough back in Hartland with his wife, Louise, who he married on March 2, 1942, after he had been drafted. Johnson said he and his wife kept in contact through letters during his time away from home in the service, but that it

was still difficult to really communicate as most of the letters were usually censored by the Army.

Once Johnson was honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to Hartland where he said he worked on his family’s farm for about 21 years. He and Louise also had a son, Steven, and a daughter, Mary. Johnson then worked at a gravel business in Albert Lea for about 14 years and then as a janitor at First Lutheran Church for five years before retiring. He has also been a member of the Albert Lea American Legion since he returned home from his service.

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507-377-1659 308 7th Avenue • Ellendale, MN 56026 • (507) 684-2881 2210 East Main St. • Albert Lea, MN 56007 • (507) 373-2461 217 West Division St. • New Richland, MN 56072 • (507) 465-8015

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Johnson moved into Hidden Creek — a part of Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea — about a month ago, and before that he lived in Bancroft Estates for about four years. His wife is also at Good Samaritan, but is housed in a separate area as she has been diagnosed with dementia.

The couple has five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

About 20 years after Johnson initially returned home from the war, he wrote a book about his experiences, “My Life As I Remember It.” Johnson said he came away from his time in the service with a number of good friends, but they have all since passed away over the years.

“We had some good times and some bad times,” he said.

For their courage, sacrifice, heroism and our freedom 2310/2320 East MaIN, aLBERt LEa

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Page 8 | veterans day | friday, november 6, 2015

World War II veteran chosen for 16th Freedom Honor Flight On Oct. 17, retired Staff Sgt. Ruth Perry, 91, a World War II veteran, was chosen as a member of the 16th Freedom Honor Flight out of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Accompanied by guardian Deanna L. Luedtke, a retired chief warrant officer two veteran, they flew to Washington, D.C., on a chartered jet.

They were met by the Legion Riders Honor Guard at the door. According to a press release, they enjoyed a light breakfast, passed through security and were given a ditty bag with snacks and water. School children sang the national anthem, and those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. They were then sent off with a contingent of National Guardsmen, Scouts, Legion Riders and others saluting their departure.

Among those present were 14 World War II veterans, 38 Korean War veterans and about 92 Vietnam veterans.

Upon landing at Reagan Airport, they were greeted with a hosing salute from the fire department and welcoming group that spanned a block long on both sides. Patriotic music played, and the group shook the veterans’ hands and verbally welcomed them.

They had a police escort throughout the day to help them contend with

heavy traffic and a tight schedule. They began at the World War II Memorial, which has a beautiful reflecting pool.

Pictures were taken of all the veterans together. Sen. Bob Dole sat on a chair outside the memorial to help welcome the group. Arby’s market fresh boxes were served for lunch. From there the group went to the Vietnam Wall and the Lincoln Memorial before witnessing the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Roll call was taken every time the group members got back on the buses.

The group also went to the Air Force Memorial for more pictures and to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The drivers took the group around the city and pointed out various famous landmarks and buildings before heading to the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Perry and Luedtke left Washington, D.C., at 8:35 p.m. and had dinner on the plane.

The homecoming they received was even more impressive than the send-off, according to Luedtke. A wonderful band was playing, and military personnel and Scouts lined up from the hangar to the plane and saluted the pair. They even had fireworks on the tarmac, and many

Deanna Luedtke accompanied Ruth Perry, 91, a World War II veteran, to the 16th Freedom Honor Flight out of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Provided people from the community were there to welcome them home.

A Special Thank you to our Apartment Residents and Health Center residents who are Veterans.

Front Row: Hilbert Voigt, Melvin Burnett, Terry Krueger, George Oetjen, Gerald Smith, Carlyle Matheson, Bill Angell, Jim Gustafson 2nd Row: Ron Jensen, Roy Carlson, George Jacobs, Ken Phinney, Warren Van Riper, Connie Bensen, Russ Anderson, Richard Cherney, Dale Rippey, Arnie Root, Not pictured: Bernie Priebe

Overall, Luedtke noted it was a very long, but well-organized day.

1201 Garfield Ave Albert Lea, MN 507-373-2311