Mattson, U.S. veterans still serving throughvolunteerism

By Andrea Busche

On this Memorial Day, it’s important to honor the men and women who have died while serving our country. But it’s also a good idea to show respect to the veterans who are still with us – many of whom are still giving back in their senior years through volunteering and other acts of service.

Clint Mattson of Maple, Wis., is a fine example of a veteran who continues to live a life focused on others. Mattson served in the United States Army, and had a long career as a registered nurse. He is married, with children and grandchildren, and gives back through various volunteer and civic duties which have continued into his muchdeserved retirement. At 71 years old, Mattson shows no signs of slowing down.

Army Years

Mattson was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968. After receiving his basic and advanced training, he was immediately sent to serve his country in the Vietnam War.

“I was in infantry – the 101st airborne division,” Mattson said. “I cross-trained in infantry and mortars, and I spent time on the front lines. Our mission was to search and destroy. We spent plenty of nights in ambush formation. It was frightening, exciting, but it also felt like being a part of history.”

After a total of 19 months in the military (14 of which were spent in Vietnam), Mattson was discharged from the Army. He was awarded both a Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for his bravery and service.

Return to the U.S.

Mattson returned to the United States when he was 21. He married his high school sweetheart, Roxy, and the two settled down in Maple. Mattson became a registered nurse, specializing in critical care and emergency room settings.

...We spent plenty of nights in ambush formation. It was frightening, exciting, but it also felt like being a part of history.

CLINT MATTSON, United States Army Veteran

“My mission changed from taking lives to saving lives,” he said.

Over the years, Mattson volunteered in a variety of settings. Two of his three children were active in the Boy Scouts, and Mattson gave much of his time to scouting. He even served as the Scoutmaster at the 1993 National Scout Jamboree.

Mattson volunteered for 30 years in the medical tents for Grandma’s Marathon, where his career training was put to good use. He also served for a time on the Maple Volunteer Fire Department, and is currently an active volunteer and board member of the Douglas County Historical Society.

Active Retirement

Although he officially retired in 2017, Mattson remains as busy as ever. Since 2014, he has been a

VETERANS: Page 6

Veterans

From Page 4 a volunteer at Superior’s Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. Here, he serves as a greeter, helps coordinate tours and visits for school groups, and visits one-on-one with other veterans, collecting oral histories about their time in service.

“It’s a wonderful social network,” Mattson said of his work at the Bong Center. “A lot of veterans volunteer here, and many find it easier to converse about their memories with other veterans.”

Mattson has also served on the board of the Douglas County Historical Society for the past two years. Additionally, he volunteers at the Historical Society as a greeter, and helps them coordinate activities and other special events.

“You learn something old every day,” he said with a chuckle.

Mattson also serves on the board for the Maple Memorial Cemetery Association.

Family life is another big focus. Clint and Roxy Mattson have been married for 49 years. In addition to their three adult children, they also have four grandchildren, whom they see often.

Giving back is a regular part of life for Clint, so it was only natural that he continue working as a volunteer into retirement.

“Being active, being social – it keeps my mind and my body active,” he said. “Roxy and I don’t sit around a lot.”

Other Volunteers

In addition to Clint Mattson, the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is grateful for their many other volunteers, the majority of whom are veterans. For instance:

Tom Cannon served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Cold War era from 1956-1958. He has volunteered as a greeter at the Center since the day it opened. Of his volunteer work, he said, “Volunteering makes me feel good. And, it’s something to do during retirement.”

Ray Beauto served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958 at the U.S. Naval Medical Center in Virginia and at Camp Pendleton during the Cold War era. He’s volunteered as a Bong Center greeter since 2011. Beauto said, “I like to meet people from around the world, and it’s somewhere to go now that I’m retired.”

Pete Fiske served in the Coast Guard from 1982- 2011 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He’s been a Bong Center volunteer greeter for two months, and shared, “I enjoy history, and I enjoy working here.”

Appreciation from their Leader

Hayes Scriven is the executive director for the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center. He is honored to be surrounded by the veterans who volunteer on a daily basis, and remains deeply grateful for their service – both militarily, and for their volunteer efforts.

“I have been working in the museum field for almost 15 years, and the group of volunteers at the Bong are the most dedicated I have ever been around,” Scriven said. “We wouldn’t be able to function without them. We are so grateful to have veteran volunteers like Clint, Tom, Ray, Pete and many others working at the Center.”

May 27, 2019 Memorial Day

Honoring Our Heroes

Memorial Day is celebrated each May to commemorate the people who died in service of the United States of America.

Even though barbecues and visions of the upcoming summer weather may command much of the attention come Memorial Day weekend, the holiday really serves as a remembrance for those military members who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, as well as the personnel who continue to protect and serve today.

Memorial Day origins

Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day and was borne out of the Civil War. on May 30, 1868, General John Logan, a national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, decreed General Order No. 11, which designated the day for the “purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” May 30 was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. It took several years for the first state to recognize the holiday, which New York adopted in 1873. By 1890, all northern states recognized Decoration Day. When the holiday changed from commemorating those who died fighting the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war after World War I, the South began to recognize it as well.

Two Harbors M-F 9am-6pm

By Connie Wirta Essentia Health

Susan Kelley delights in joining her husband for a hike in the woods. She remembers when she could barely make it to the mailbox at the end of their driveway.

Kelley has undergone a metamorphosis in less than two years. She lost nearly 100 pounds and no longer needs any of her prescription medicines. She’s free from the chronic diarrhea and pain that limited her activities.

Kelley said she was at her wit’s end when she decided to try a new approach to her health and made an appointment with Dr. Nancy Sudak, a physician in the new Integrative He alth Department at the Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic. The 69-year-old Duluth woman was ready to make changes in her lifestyle if they’d help her feel better.

“I’d tried so many times with every diet that came out for 50 years,” Kelley recalled. “I would stick to them, but nothing happened.”

Kelley had worked with other doctors and dietitians, yet her weight had reached 278 pounds. She was considering weight-loss surgery “but just couldn’t say yes.” Instead, she turned to Dr. Sudak.

NEW APPROACH: Page 9