2023
Veterans Voice
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Land of the Free, THANKS to the BRAVE To all of our nation’s troops and veterans, thank you for your service! Your courage, commitment and sacrifice fill us with admiration and gratitude.
November 2023
A FREE Commemorative Magazine by
Cameron Newspapers
2023
Veterans Voice
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Veterans Voice
table of contents
Joe “Butch” Battreall ............................. 3 Dennis Dornhoffer .................................. 5 Billy Edwards .......................................... 6 Terry James ........................................... 7 Doug Rathburn ....................................... 9 Ralph Robbins ...................................... 10
2023
Brian Schroder ..................................... 11 George Kenton Sisler .......................... 12 “Worth” ................................................. 13 Veterans find peace, skills and income with Heroes to Hives ........................ 14
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2023
Veterans Voice
Joe “Butch” Battreall Mike Hanrahan
Cameron Veterans Home resident Joe Battreall was born in St; Joseph, Missouri and graduated from Central High School. Joe loved sports and wrestled 3 years at Central, advancing beyond the regular season each year.. His senior year he wrestled at 133 pounds. Joe was also an avid fast-pitch softball. He was fast and generally played center field. He also enjoyed playing golf, as well as hunting and fishing. He was a person who always kept active until suffering a stroke in 2004. Joe was in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1973. He took basic training in San Diego, additional training at Midway Island, and spent the remainder of his career aboard the USS Hancock, an Essexclass Carrier. The USS Hancock spent much of its time during the Vietnam War at “Yankee Station” in the Gulf of Tonkin. The Hancock spent its entire career with the Pacific fleet and was the first carrier to have steam-powered
catapults installed. The Hancock earned a Navy Commendation for its performance in the Vietnam War. It also won 4 Battle Stars. Joe’s duty aboard the Hancock was Nuclear Weapon Maintenance. In addition, he was charged with “arming” bombs for attack missions, both the nose and wiring.
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The ship carried out airstrikes on an almost constant basis, particularly at North Vietnamese Radar and Missile sites. This helped protect aircraft missions against North Vietnam. One of the most harrowing incidents aboard the Hancock was due to the crash of a landing plane. Part of the Hancock’s flight deck was wood and caught on fire. The fire was extinguished, but sustained considerable damage which was quickly repaired. Joe says it was not uncommon to lose an aircraft on take-off. However, the pilots were always able to eject and they never lost a pilot, although they did lose planes. Joe says the ship endured a number of fierce storms with water often washing over the flight deck. He said that one of his biggest thrills was being able to ride aboard a propeller plane delivering mail to the mainland. He was able to experience both the take-off and landing on an aircraft carrier. He says his best memory of the military was the ability to see and visit places he
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Veterans Voice
2023
would never have seen otherwise. Following the military, Joe returned to St. Joseph where he worked over 28 years as a postal carrier out of the post office at 24th & Olive. He enjoyed exercise so walking a route was a good job for him, despite the occasional inclement weather. He is proud of the fact that in over 28 years he was only late for work once, and that was due to a car problem forcing him to walk to work. He is married and he and his wife, Pam, have 2 children of their own, plus two step-children. Since his stroke he has spent 19 years in a wheelchair. He has been living at the Cameron Veterans Home for more than 6 years and is extremely pleased with the staff and the services/activities available.
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2023
Veterans Voice
Dennis Dornhoffer Mike Hanrahan
Cameron Veteran’s Home resident Dennis Dornhoffer is a native of St. Joseph, MO. He was born on January 27, 1950, and is a veteran of the United States Navy. He is a third-generation veteran. Dennis took his basic training in San Diego and was eventually assigned to the USS Hepburn. The USS Hepburn was a brand-new ship manufactured and based in California. It was a Knox-class frigate and considered the “pride of the Navy”. Dennis was a member of the initial crew as a cook, and participated in the commission process of the ship during several trips “up and down” the West Coast. The Hepburn was equipped with brand new, state of the art sonar. An important part of the ship’s shake-down voyage was the testing of this sonar. Weapons on the ship included five .54 caliber Mark 42 guns forward, and a single .50 caliber machine gun aft. The Hepburn was referred to as a “submarine killer”. He said that because of the sonar placement forward, docking was always a careful and precise operation. The ship’s initial voyage included the Aleutian Islands where they encountered temperatures as low as minus 66 degrees. Except for fore and aft lookouts, all personnel were ordered to stay offdeck. Dennis’ received 4 days Liberty at a Canadian port. He reports that the Hepburn’s crew members were treated very well by the Canadian people. Dennis was a member of the Honor Guard/Color Guard aboard the Hepburn and participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. His parents watched the parade on television and while they did not spot him, they did see the USS Hepburn banner. There were frequent calls for “General Quarters” when the men were tested on how quickly they were able to prepare for battle.
Officers timed the reaction until they reached the expected performance. Dennis reports that aside from officers, most of the men on board were 18–19-year-olds, and all aboard came from the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. Upon return to the home port of Long Beach (CA) the Hepburn spent a lot of time in target practice off of Catalina Island. In addition to their 5-inch guns the practiced with their torpedoes and missiles. During missions in the Pacific the Hepburn spent a lot of time “plane guarding” alongside aircraft carriers. They remained off the port side with the mission of rescuing pilots who crashed into the water either during take-off or landing. The Hepburn rescued pilots on two occasions. They monitored “touch and go” practice landings including at night. He said it was critical that the planes were watched intently during these drills as they prepared for war and their eventual duty in the Gulf of Tonkin. They made a number of ports in the Pacific including Hawaii. Dennis was very complimentary of the officers aboard the Hepburn. The senior officers
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were strict on discipline but very kind and protective as well. Dennis is especially proud of the good conduct and morale among the 317 crewmen. There was “never the slightest trouble”. He reports that the ship received several “efficiency awards”. A military highlight occurred when the USS Hepburn was involved in the splash-down and recovery of the Apollo 13 Space Craft. They watched in splash-down and were able to take a number of photographs of the entire process. Dennis says the movie “Apollo 13” was a good representation of what occurred. Dennis’ father was a firefighter in St. Joseph. When he was home on leave when he was nearing the end of his military service, he visited his dad at the fire station and one of the chiefs promised him a job when he returned to civilian life. He spent 45 years as a firefighter in St. Joseph and reached the rank of Captain. NOTE: He trained Cameron resident and St. Joseph firefighter Jamie McVicker. He is a huge K-State fan and knew Coach Bill Snyder personally. He also spent many years as a high school/small college referee and/or umpire including football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has many fond memories of young athletes. His best memories are of visits with uncles Marion Dornhoffer and Tom Malek at their duty stations. His worst memory is of the 1969 collision between the USS Evans and the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne, off the coast of Vietnam. The Melbourne split the Evans in half, with the rear half sinking immediately. The Hepburn lost 71 men in the encounter. Aboard the half which sank was a friend of Dennis from St. Joseph. The water was too deep for any recovery, Dennis has been married for 51 years to his wife Sue, and they have two children along with grandchildren. He enjoys the Cameron Veterans Home and opportunities to eat out in Cameron.
On Veterans Day and always, we appreciate America’s veterans. Thank you to all of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation!
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Billy Edwards
Veterans Voice
2023
Mike Hanrahan Billy Edwards is a resident of the Cameron Veteran’s Home. He was born in 1938 in Smithville (MO). Billy entered the Army at Fort Leonard Wood (MO) followed by additional training at Fort Carson (CO). He reports seeing a lot of snow while at Fort Carson. During training there was an accident with a grenade which cost him his hearing in one ear, as well as shrapnel in one leg. Despite his injuries Billy remained in the military. He was sent to Fort Sam Houston where he trained as a Medic. He spent the next 9 months essentially as a Nurse’s Aide, and another 11 months as a Medical Corpsman. He then went to Fort Bragg (NC) where he was assigned as a truck driver. He and others spent a lot of time setting up field surgical hospitals and transporting wounded to various locations. He spent the next 18 months in this capacity before volunteering for Jump School. He did so because of the increased pay level, adding more than $55 a
month to his military salary. Billy vividly remembers his first “jump”. Paratroopers were given the option of jumping and pulling their own rip cord, or having his strap hitched to a cable, pulling the rip cord automatically. He chose to jump on his own. It was frightening, but everything
went well. He made a total of 15 jumps. Afterwords he was sent to Alaska as part of a military build-up as the Soviet Union was flying war planes over American air space. He reports a lot of tension, not knowing the Soviet intentions. During the months there, Billy assisted in setting up, and equipping field hospitals. From there he returned to Fort Bragg where it was discovered that he had no high school diploma. The military enrolled him in a GED program. He reports there were 5 sections to the GED test, and it was necessary to score a minimum of 65 on each of the 5 sections. After the tests were graded, Billy learned he was 1 point short on one section. His Sergeant told Billy he would simply total the points from all 5 sections and divide by 5, which allowed Billy to receive his GED. Billy was scheduled to be discharged from the military when the Cuban missile crisis occurred and his military time was extended. He remembers it as a very scary time as we came very close to nuclear war. Fortunately the Russians “backed down” and he was discharged soon after with a rank of
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2023
Veterans Voice
SP5. He served a total of 5 years and 7 months despite the injuries early in his career. Back in civilian life, Billy went to work in St. Joseph. He first worked for a steel company where he was assigned to fire the furnace, dealing with a lot of heat. After this job he went to work at a local box factory. I-29 was under construction at the time, and Billy drove past the construction site every afternoon. He began stopping by every day and asking the foreman “for a job”. One day the foreman said. “Yes”, and he went to work building I-29. He reports the pay was much better, and he takes pride in contributing to the project. Billy relates that his mother was related to the (Jesse) James family, She told him stories of riders often showing up at their home after dark, needing a place to stay. She told him at the riders would often show up at their home after dark, needing a room. They would pay in cash which allowed the family to live a little better than many in that era. Billy was married to his wife Emma, for 66 years. There is an interesting story about how he met his wife. Billy’s dad too him to visit a neighbor. Billy noticed that the girl (Emma) kept “making eyes” at him. She was only 10 years old, but she told everyone “I’m going to marry that boy (Billy) someday”. Sure enough, 10 years later they were married, and had a wonderful life together.
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Terry James Mike Hanrahan
Terry James of Maysville was born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He attended and graduated from high school in Council Bluffs. He currently lives in the Maysville area. In January of 1968 he was drafted into the United States Army and sent for basic training to Fort Lewis, Washington. He says that basic training was “no walking, all running.” But he says that basic training taught him “teamwork, discipline, and marching.” He was made a squad leader. Following basic training he was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He took Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a surveyor. While there he qualified on the M16 rifle and received all the required shots for assignment in Vietnam. However, he was soon informed that he was
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Veterans Voice
being reassigned. He says that was because he already had a brother serving in Vietnam, and the military avoided having more than one family member in a combat zone at a time. He was then assigned to the U.S. Army Garrison in Vincenza, Italy. The base was located on Caserma Ederle, which is at the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains. He says the Army Base there seemed quite small compared to bases in the United States. When he was there, the Base was approximately 2 city blocks by 4 city blocks. Terry worked a normal shift surveying the area for missile sites. This was to be part of the Italian defense system as well as offensive sites against the Soviet Union. They also installed markers for potential future use. There were times when they were away from base for a week or more at a time. During these times they would stay in tents, or sleep in the back of a truck. For bathing,
they only had streams and rivers. All of their meals were “C” rations or “K” rations. The canned food was heated on a kerosene heater that doubled as heat for the tents. When possible they would travel to small towns in the area around Vincenza for eating out, shopping, and sightseeing. He reports that northern Italy is very scenic with many trees, mountains, rivers and streams with what he described as “cold, cold” water. On full free days they would often take the train to Venice, Italy. Venice is built on small islands in the Adriatic Sea. There are no roads, just the famous canals. The Grand Canal is the major waterway in Venice. Piazza San Marco (also known as St. Mark’s Square) is the heart of Venice where all major events occur. It is a gathering place for both Venetian families and the many tourists. He says Venice is a beautiful city. While he was in Vincenza, his squad was asked to participate in an International Parade in Trieste, Yugoslavia (Trieste today
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2023 is in the country of Slovenia). He reports that the treatment of American soldiers varied from country to country, some not in a friendly manner. After 16 months in Italy, Terry returned to the United States and was discharged from the Army. Interestingly, Terry purchase a 30-30 rifle, a .357 Magnum pistol, and a .22 pistol while in Italy. On his return flight to America he simply handed them to the flight attendant who returned them to him upon arrival. He contrasted that to the security concerns of today. Terry appreciated the opportunity to visit such a beautiful country as Italy. It also taught him to appreciate all we have today in the United States. He is very appreciative of all veterans, especially those who served in combat zones. Terry, and his wife of 53 years, Charlene, reside in the Maysville area.
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2023
Doug Rathburn
Veterans Voice
Mike Hanrahan Cameron Veteran’s Home resident Doug Rathburn joined the United States Air Force in October of 1970, taking basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. His specialized training was as a Medic. However, he was soon recruited, and transferred to the Central Intelligence Agency. After additional training, his first assignment was in Karabuk, Turkey. Doug was officially listed as an accountant, and he did do some accounting. But his main role was as an agent delivering and picking up secret documents, primarily in the Soviet Union, but in some eastern European nations as well. His job was to deliver information or other items to what was referred to as a “dead drop”. He would also pick up any documents left by the contact. On these missions he wore a 2-color reversible jacket. He would wear one color on the way in, then reverse it to another color on his way out. The only “incident” he had was once
when leaving Bulgaria where he was suspected of being a spy. He was beaten severely along with torture, but eventually convinced the authorities that he was a “draft dodger” from the United States seeking to avoid the military draft. In poor shape, he was sent to Fitzgibbon Hospital in
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Denver for recovery. His next assignment was in Biloxi (MS) where he was part of a team attempting to identify and arrest suspected foreign spies within the sea shipping facilities. They were eventually able to identify 1 within the first month, and the others over the next 2 years. Later he became one of the “men in black” responding to alleged UFO sightings where his duty was to interview those involved and discredit what they allegedly saw, informing them they were not to discuss anything with others. He says that the “black” suits were actually an extremely dark blue, and that the agents “carried no ID”. Doug was also involved in the tracking of a “rogue” Russian spy. The U.S. was informed by the Russians that one of their spies had gone “rogue” and was attempting to acquire materials to make a “dirty bomb” and detonate it as a sporting event. Doug was involved in the discovery of the bomb which was then disarmed. Following the military Doug attended “map school” after which he worked for a
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Veterans Voice
mining company attempting to discern possible locations for gold or silver mines. He also did a “little work” searching for uranium deposits. He was eventually “brought back to the CIA” to track and identify a suspected East German spy working in Wyoming in close proximity to United States missile silos and seeking information. Doug was selected for this work due to his work and knowledge of the mining industry. Doug’s CIA “handler” developed a plan whereby they would take the suspected spy to the southwestern United States to prospect a location which happened to be next to a missile silo. Doug quickly noticed that the man (an East German) was much more interested in the missile silo than the mining potential. The man was taking photos with a very small camera. Doug tapped the man’s phone, but could not decipher either the East German language or the code being used. However, his superior at the CIA were able to break the code. As they were leaving the location, they were met and stopped by a nondescript van. When the men in the van got out, Doug recognized his “handler” who told Doug to “just go on with the group, we’ll handle it from here”. Afterwards Doug spent 2 years “in the woods”, living off the land. Doug had panned for gold in his home state of Colorado as a youngster and spent his non-military career working in the mining industry, mostly for Homestake Mining Company. Doug said he always enjoyed “hard work” and working in gold, silver, and uranium mines was something he enjoyed. He commented that any gold they found was transported immediately to the New York Federal Reserve. Doug worked in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota during his mining career. It allowed him to collect some geological specimens which he keeps in his room at the Vet Home. One prized possession is a petrified “rock” which is actually dinosaur (droppings). It weighs 80 pounds. Alongside it is another piece of petrified “poo” which was cracked open revealing perfectly preserved vegetation and plant material encased in the dropping. Also displayed in Doug’s room is a hand-made “prayer rug” which he purchased during his time in Turkey. Doug really enjoys life at the Cameron Veteran’s Home, stating he “wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”.
Ralph Robbins
2023
Mike Hanrahan
Ralph Robbins is a resident of the Cameron Veteran’s Home. He was born in Pennsylvania, but was raised in Kansas City (MO). He was a member of the United States Army. Ralph took Basic Training at Fort Bliss in Texas, followed by infantry training at Fort Leonard Wood (MO). In 1954 Ralph was sent to England at a base some 50 miles from London. He was assigned to Headquarters Company where he worked in the Mess Hall, in charge of canned goods. He advised that both the trip to England and back home took around 9 hours. He says the people of England were “good to the American soldiers”. When he returned to the States, he was assigned to an Army Base near Chicago where he remained until discharge. He says his best memory of the military was the opportunity to visit new places, while his worst memory was missing his family. Ralph purchased a motorcycle while stationed in England, and when he was about to return to the United States, he gave it to a friend. Ralph worked at the ZYN Candy Company in Kansas City prior to the military and returned to work there following the military. He and his wife Barbara had 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. He initially went to a nursing facility in Kansas City where he reports he was treated “poorly”. He says the Cameron Veteran’s Home is far superior where everyone is nice to him and where he enjoys the food.
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2023
Brian Schroeder Mike Hanrahan Cameron Veterans Home resident Brian Schroeder is from Artwell (MO) which is located near Clinton. Brian is currently 96 years old. Brian was a member of the U.S. Army 7th Division, Infantry Company K. He took Basic Training at Camp Roberts in California with additional training in Texas and at Fort Lee Virginia. He was initially sent to Germany, but as the war in Europe was winding down he came back to the States, first to Portland (OR) then to Hawaii where he underwent 4 weeks of jungle warfare training. He then went by ship to Okinawa. He commented that they landed on Okinawa during a typhoon which damaged their landing ship, costing they to lose a lot of valuable supplies. Okinawa was the last island of the military’s island hopping campaign and
Veterans Voice
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was to be the base for launching attacks on the Japanese mainland. The fighting on Okinawa had been intense, and Brian was there for the final 2 months of the campaign. He and his unit were assigned to removing the Japanese from caves where they were entrenched. While some surrendered peacefully, many had to be forcefully removed with the use of explosives and flame-throwers. Brian witnessed a number of Japanese leap from the cliffs to their deaths on the rocks and ocean below. He said that during the 2 months on Okinawa they were bombed by the Japanese every night. The entire ordeal took a toll on him as an 18 year-old, and everyone was happy when the 2 atom bombs caused the Japanese to surrender as they would have been part of the invasion force. Brian says he “thanks Truman every day”. Brian was subsequently sent to Korea, landing at Busan. They quickly moved up to the 39th Parallel as tensions were rising
between North Korea and the South. Brian was now a Staff Sergeant with an Armor unit with the primary duty of protecting a power plant which served South Korea. He was to spend his 19th and 20th birthdays in Korea. Brian returned to the United States in December of 1946, initially returning to Artwell, but soon moving to Kansas City to seek work. He joined the Sheet Metal Workers and spent his career as a sheet metal worker. He married the former Mabel Barnett. They were the parents of a boy and a girl. Brian comments that for 40 years he took off work for the opening of deer season, as sport he greatly enjoyed. He was a member of VFW Post 1829. His family boasts 4 generations of military service. Brian’s health has declined in recent years and he has a pacemaker. He also has prostate cancer. He rates the care he receives at the Cameron Veteran’s Home as “A-one”.
We appreciate your courage, sacrifice and all you do for our country!
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Veterans Voice
George Kenton Sisler Mike Hanrahan George Kenton Sisler was born and raised in Dexter, Missouri. He and his wife Jane were parents of two sons. He was a graduate of Arkansas State University. He won the National Collegiate Skydiving Championship despite a broken leg in a cast. Prior to the military, Sisler was an Alaskan “Smokejumper” fighting wild fires in the remote sections of Alaska. Sisler was a member of the United States Special Forces (Green Berets) and as a 1st Lieutenant, served with Headquarters Company, 5th Special Forces (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. He was a member of the United States Army Military Intelligence Corps. On February 7, 1967 Sisler was a platoon leader deep in enemy territory when they came under heavy attack, including rockets
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and mortars. They were quickly surrounded by a superior force of Viet Cong on three sides. Quickly assessing the situation, Sisler moved his men to a better defensive position and called in airstrikes on the enemy positions. When he realized that two of his men were wounded in the initial attack, Sisler moved forward, picked up one of the wounded and was carrying him back to the defensive position when they were charged by three enemy troops. He placed the wounded man on the ground, and using his weapon, quickly killed the three enemy. As he was about to continue moving the wounded man they came under machine gun fire from a nearby bunker. Sisler moved forward and silenced the bunker with grenades. At this point the enemy was making a mass charge at the American position.
Sensing that they were about to be overrun, Sisler grabbed several grenades and moved toward the advancing enemy, firing his weapon and throwing grenades. By himself he was able to halt the enemy advance and send them into retreat. He returned to his men and was directing their fire when he was mortally wounded. He was credited with saving many American lives that day. Sisler was posthumously awarded a number of medals including the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. The United States Navy Supply ship USNS Sisler is named in his honor. There is a Sisler Hall at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, A special ROTC unit at Arkansas State University is called “Sisler’s Rangers”. There is a monument with his statue and a bronze plaque located in Dexter, Missouri. Sisler is buried in the Dexter Cemetery.
Thank you for your sacrifice and service to our nation!
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2023
“Worth”
Veterans Voice
Mike Hanrahan
Worth prefers to go by his last name only. He comes from a family with a long military tradition, dating back to the Civil War. His family’s military history is a source of pride for him. He was born in Pattonsburg, Missouri in February of 1949; he joined the United States Army, taking basic training in San Diego. From San Diego he went to Bremerton (WA) Naval Shipyard (also known as the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard). Bremerton was the primary repair location for the Pacific fleet. The Naval Yard is comprised of 189 acres. It repaired the superstructure on 90% of the Pacific fleet. During WWII, the Naval Yard repaired and/or modernized a total of 349 fighting ships. Currently four WWII aircraft carriers are in dry dock at Bremerton: the USS Independence, USS Kitty Hawk, USS Constellation, and the USS Ranger. Worth served on the USS Gunston Hall, a LSD Landing Vessel, part of the Amphibious Force. The ship was “all over” the Pacific Ocean, including stops at Pearl Harbor, Guam, Pearl Harbor, Wake Island as well as Midway Island. The Gunston participated in every operation from February of 1944 until the end of the war. It unloaded troops on numerous Pacific islands during the approach to the Japanese mainland.
Worth served in the “fire room” aboard ship, stationed at the .60 mm machine gun. Once in a while “live shells” would be ejected from the machine gun, and it was Worth’s duty to to retrieve these and toss them overboard into the ocean. In 1948 Worth was discharged from active duty but went to a Reserve unit where he completed 18 months of military training with the understanding that he and the other reserves could be called back to
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active duty at any time. He completed this obligation prior to the Korean War. Once out of the military Worth returned to Pattonsburg where he and his wife farmed. Eventually he sold the farm except for 80 acres. For a while he sold cars at a St. Joseph dealership while farming at night. He related that in 1955 he sold 104 pigs for such a low price that it did not cover the cost of the feed. He decided to take a steady job at that point. He sold much of his land, but kept a smaller acreage and would farm on evenings and weekends. Worth’s best memories of the military was earning a 4-year Good Conduct Medal (4 year medals could be earned at the time) and the many good friends he met. He is proud of his military career. Worth’s memories of his service are of the rough seas they encountered throughout the Pacific, an especially so in the waters around the Aleutian Islands. Worth had great praise for the Cameron Veteran’s Home and its staff. He feels fortunate to be in such a nice place. Worth sorely misses his wife, Eileen. They were married for 69 years and 23 days.
(660) 663-2103• 24000 St Hwy 6 Gallatin, MO 64640 gallatintt.com • gttinc@gallatintt.com
MON 7:30 AM - 5 PM • TUE 7:30 AM - 5 PM • WED 7:30 AM - 5 PM • THU 7:30 AM - 5 PM • FRI 7:30 AM - 5 PM • SAT 7:30 AM - 12 PM • SUN CLOSED
Food • Floral Pharmacy • Café We honor those who fought and died for our freedoms! 1303 North Walnut • Cameron • (816) 632-2441 • Monday-Saturday 7am-10pm • Sunday 7am-9pm
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Veterans Voice
Veterans find peace, skills and income with Heroes to Hives
2023
Linda Geist, Writer - University of Missouri Extension - Email: GeistLi@missouri.edu WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Few things bring calm to Larry Soles more than opening a hive and hearing the hum of the bees. Soles is one of a growing group of military veterans who take part in Heroes to Hives, a free program of University of Missouri Extension. The program seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through professional training and community development centered around beekeeping. Veterans learn through online classes offered by Army veteran Adam Ingrao of Michigan State University Extension, who developed the program. After completing the online portion, veterans get hands-on training in technical skills so they can earn income through the sale of honey and value-added products such as candles, lip balms and mead, a wine made with honey. MU Extension’s Heroes to Hives program has three sites where more than 250 veterans have attended in-person training
Photo by Linda Geist.
Heroes to Hives participants learn from Neena Soles, right, of Muddy Creek Honey, at a recent MU Extension Heroes to Hives training session at the University of Central Missouri’s Mitchell Street Farm in Warrensburg.
Photo by Linda Geist.
Heroes to Hives participant Larry Soles has a large, well-equipped wood shop where he makes beehive boxes and other beekeeping supplies. He sells the products to other veterans at low cost to make beekeeping more affordable. – Warrensburg, Mount Vernon and Poplar Bluff. In 2024, Heroes to Hives will open a new site in the St. Louis area.
Soles works with MU Extension agronomist and longtime beekeeper Travis Harper to spread the joy of beekeeping to other veterans. He helps Harper teach beekeeping
and marketing at the Heroes to Hives apiary on the University of Central Missouri’s Mitchell Street Farm at Warrensburg. Soles and his wife, Neena, sell a variety of flavored creamed honey, infused honey and wooden products for other beekeepers under the name of Muddy Creek Honey LLC from their farm in Green Ridge, Mo. They have created a niche market, with creamed honey making up more than 70% of sales. Creamed honey does not contain cream. Instead, a mixer beats and whips the crystals of regular honey into a creamy, spreadable texture. Distinctive blends are made by combining the honey with natural fruits. Infused honeys get their unique flavors from herbs and spices, with varieties ranging from delicate hibiscus honey to fiery Mango Thai. Muddy Creek’s honey comes from 60 hives at Soles’ home and 20 hives from nearby property. He makes finely crafted beehive boxes and other beekeeper supplies in a well-equipped wood shop he built with his late father, a carpenter. He sells the wood products at low cost to other veterans. In the past year, he sold more than 200 beehive boxes.
2023
Veterans Voice
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with Camp Valor in nearby Kingsville, Mo. Camp Valor helps ill, injured and wounded veterans throughout the healing process through adaptive outdoor activities such as guided hunting, fishing, shooting, archery and riding ATVs. The organization operates in 14 states. It is in these encounters that he and other veterans find the gentle hum of the bees who, like them, served others well. You can contact Muddy Creek Honey Farm at soles027917@ gmail.com or 660-202-7917. Learn more about MU Extension’s Heroes to Hives program at https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/heroes-to-hives or call 800-995-8503. You can also contact Harper at harpertw@ missouri.edu or 660-885-5556.
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In–Home Services Many Qualify For Free Services Including: House Keeping / Personal Care Laundry / Meal Prep Shopping / Errands Nurse Visits & More
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We proudly support our veterans by funding community development projects like our local Veterans Memorial
Photo courtesy of Larry Soles.
Larry Soles, a participant in MU Extension’s Heroes to Hives program, checks some of his hives. Soles sells creamed honey, flavor-infused honey and wooden beehive products through Muddy Creek Honey in Green Ridge, Mo. Soles enjoys the extra income, but mostly he enjoys the camaraderie of visiting with other veterans and the public at craft shows and the dozen or so stores that stock Muddy Creek products. He is vice president of Johnson County Beekeepers Association. Larry and Neena Soles also enjoy meeting with other beekeeping enthusiasts at conferences across the country. Friendships that come from beekeeping give Soles and other veterans an opportunity to talk openly and confidentially about shared experiences. Soles served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. Like many of Missouri’s more than 400,000 veterans, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He attends a weekly meeting of veterans with PTSD in Warrensburg and volunteers
Happy Veterans Day
NMLS# 431503
Missouri Veterans Home – Cameron
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Veterans Voice
2023
The Assistance League purchased two Tovertafel Magic Tables for the home.
OUR EMPLOYEE VETERANS • • • • • • • •
Mark Bundy – Army Laurie Curtis – Army Allison Dredge – MO Air National Guard Wes Ewing – Air Force Elaine Gerstenberger – Air Force Chris Leach – Army James Moore – Army Dustin Stahl – Air Force; Active MO Air Nation Guard Reserves • Michael Yamat – Army
We are actively recruiting RN, LPN,
CMT & CNA’s. We would love to talk
with you about your future with the Cameron Veterans Home. There is nothing more rewarding than taking care of our Heroes! Visit the Home at 1111 Euclid Avenue Cameron Missouri, call Hannah Masson at 816-649-1671, or log onto mocareers.mo.gov/mvc/cameron to apply. EOE
The Tovertafel is proven to be effective at physical, cognitive, social and sensory levels. By stimulating physical, social, and cognitive activity, the Tovertafel promotes moments of happiness in caregiving for seniors with dementia and improves their well-being. Stimulating physical activity in elderly people with dementia is especially important as they often don’t get enough exercise in nursing homes. The Tovertafel is a great tool for making physical activity fun! Our games also break through apathetic and restless and tense behavior, as well as increase positive emotions in elderly people living with dementia. They promote social bonding between those living with dementia, care professionals, fellow residents, and family members. This is important for both elderly people living with dementia, and those who care for them. The Tovertafel activates players and provides cognitive, physical, social, and sensory stimulation to help them live well.