KMG Salute to Veterans 2023

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Geauga County Maple Leaf

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Geauga County Maple Leaf

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Healing Waters Ties Veterans to Love of Fly-fishing

By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com The Academy award-winning film “A River Runs through It” captured the allure and beauty of fly-fishing in its true story chronicling the life of two brothers and their special bond around the sport.

A veterans program with local ties aims to do the same, bonding veterans through this therapeutic form of angling.

Project Healing Waters, a national nonprofit, provides emotional and physical rehabilitation to veterans and active military personnel in need through the process of fly-fishing and associated activities, including education and outings.

“If someone tells us they can’t do it, we show them how they can,” said Diane Wantz, Willoughby program lead for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. “We provide a variety of opportunities to get them fishing. A cast can be made from a wheelchair. A fly can be tied with one hand. We have the tools, the expertise and the patience. Simply put, we care. Our passion to build success creates trust and when people believe in each other, beautiful things can happen. Humans can experience 34,000 emotions. We focus on one and that is joy.”

Richard Ruckel came to Geauga County in 1988. He earned the nickname “Rusty” after he was seen riding his motorcycle in a rainstorm.

His grandpa bought him his first steel, folding fly rod, which still hangs in his home today, 70 years later.

Born in Stony Creek, Penn., Ruckel spent many joy-filled summers at his grandfather’s

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This year’s annual collaborative Patriotic Day event between six area Project Healing Waters groups was held in September at the Castalia Fish Hatchery in Castalia, Ohio.

cabin, where he reeled in his first rainbow trout at age 7.

Back in 1962, just days after his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the United States Army.

“I vividly recall President John F. Kennedy saying (in his inaugural address), ‘Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.’”

Following basic training at Fort Gordon, Ga., Ruckel shipped to Saigon, South Vietnam, and was assigned to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, 571st Transportation Unit, Utility Tactical Transport Co., as a door gunner on a UH - 1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter.

“It was there I spent most of my tour,” he said. “But those were turbulent times.

Vietnam vets were called ‘Baby Killers’ after My Lai, and Kent State (protests and shootings) stained the ground there forever with

In Honor of Brian Abrams Coast Guard

In Honor of Anita Colleen Anderson Navy

In Memory of Sgt. Daniel Bernardo Army Air Corp, WWII

In Memory of Arnold Bottger Army

the blood of opposing opinions… .For myself, I was denied access to a VFW hall because Nam was not yet considered a ‘combat zone,’ even though other advisors, like myself, had been fighting there alongside the South Vietnamese army since the French defeat in 1955.”

He said if he learned nothing else through his service was that “those of us who served there did so not so much for God and country, as we did for each other.”

“While we all suffered disgrace and disillusionment, today, as brothers in arms, we rely on each other in many ways — one of which is Project Healing Waters,” he said. “Here, we can gather with the support of others — those that served and those who were part of the entire tapestry of the war nobody wanted.”

Ruckel has been in the Willoughby program since its inception.

His love of fishing has grown to include rod building, one of the core components of the program.

“His circle of like-minded friends has grown and he readily shares his knowledge with fellow veterans or anyone else he encounters in the community or on the water,” Wantz said.

Through donations, they’re able to teach disabled vets a new skill while they are sharing experiences that may have been haunting them for decades, and all at no cost to participants.

“It gives them a chance to heal, physically and mentally, in the company of those who best understand what they went through.

They’re brothers in arms,” Wantz said.

All materials are donated, as is administrators’ and volunteers’ time when they See Fishing • Page 4

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Fishing from page 3

accompany veterans on field trips to various clubs, privately held lakes and streams.

“For myself, through the project, old memories of well-tied flies and quiet drifts on a mountain stream 70 years ago are enriched through my contact with the other vets here,” he said. “Today, I not only tie and fish my own lures, but I began a small business of building custom fly rods for others who have neither the time nor inclination to build their own. I read once that ‘fishing is a solace, it is the opposite of war, it is a civilized, gentle, healing occupation.’ How well that embodies the function of the Project Healing Waters program. If you’re a disabled veteran of any era, welcome home and you’re welcome to join us.”

Wantz became the program’s deputy regional coordinator for the Midwest region, and as an influencer and innovator, he re-

ceived the 2020 Bill Scattergood Volunteer Achievement Award for exemplary service.

Willoughby is one of more than 220 programs nationwide. The program has monthly classes and is open to all service-connected veterans from any area and from any era.

Other area programs include Akron, Cleveland at Wade Park, Rocky River, Sheffield Lake and Columbus, as well as one in Erie, Penn. Nationally, PHWFF has served over 8,000 veterans, and right now, it is near steelhead season.

“Some of the heartier PHWFF anglers are excited to get on the water and catch some,” Wantz said. “The Grand and Chagrin rivers have great access points for steelhead fishing, as do the Conneaut and Rocky River.”

The group will also be taking veterans to Michigan in December to steelhead fish.

In warmer months, they fish at Geauga Park District’s Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve, Orchard Hills Park, Veterans Legacy Woods and Hidden Lake.

PHWFF provides all instruction and gear

In Memory of Roger Casseday Navy, WWII

In Honor of James R. Croup Sr. Army

In Memory of Joseph N. D’Amico Army

In Honor of Stanley J. Dembinski Jr. Army

Thursday, November 9, 2023

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The Project Healing Waters Willoughby class brings veterans together with a love of fly-fishing.

and offers two types of outings — day trips and overnight outings — at Oak Heart Lodge in Newaygo, Mich. Some trips last five days, others include three days of guided float trips on the Muskegon River while others include a five-day trip to Freedom Ranch for Heroes in Wise River, Mont., which offers three days of fishing on the Big Hole and surrounding rivers.

“Trout hang out in beautiful places,” Wantz said. “The beauty of the sport is in its simplicity and its complexity. There is something for everyone. The simplicity of a well-executed cast can be very therapeutic.

The complexity and challenges of understanding what fly to tie for a target species, knowing what fly to choose on a particular day, understanding how to read the water to find a fish, executing a proper hook set, playing the fish and landing it can also be extremely rewarding. Fishing is fun. Catching is even better.”

In Memory of Mathew B. Dolezal Army, Combat Medic, Gulf War

She said PHWFF saves lives by providing a healthy community for participants and volunteers.

“We offer a continuum of care and are in it for the long haul,” she said. “Join us. We are waiting for you. We teach a process. It is not a fishing club. We provide the tools and instruction that provide a lifelong hobby.”

For more information, visit: www.projecthealingwaters.org www.facebook.com/ phwffwilloughby, or contact Wantz at diane. wantz@projecthealingwaters.org.

Veterans are also welcome to be a guest at one of PHWFF’s monthly classes held on the third Thursday of each month 7-9 p.m. at VFW Post 1500/ALA Post 214, 38295 Pelton Rd. in Willoughby, or may stop by the student veteran lounge at Lakeland Community College every Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. LCC provides lunch and program provides fly-tying tools and an hour of instruction.

In Honor of Jeffery Federico Jr. Navy

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Geauga County Maple Leaf

In Memory of Timothy Fetheroff Army

In Memory of William R. Fowler Army Air Corp

In Memory of Andrew J. Gazdak Army

In Honor of Fred Hans Army

In Honor of Robert Hans Army

In Memory of Spc. Clay Hershberger Army

In Memory of Pfc. Charles J. Hildenbrand Army

In Honor of Lt. Col. Jennifer M. (Rakowicz) Hrivnak Air Force

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Geauga County Maple Leaf

In Honor of Jesse Jokinen Marines

In Memory of SSG. Sean G. Landrus Army

In Memory of James A. Little Army

In Honor of Douglas Lundblad Army

In Memory of SSG. Golda Locklear Army Air Corp

In Memory of Robert E. Lubecky Navy

In Memory of William N. MacRaild Army

In Memory of Joseph R. Marotta Army, WWII

In Honor of Frank McBride Air Force

In Memory of Michael Mikoch Army

In Honor of Andrew M. Mullet Army

In Honor of Steve Oulic Army

In Memory of Jim Park Army

In Memory of John M. Patterson Army

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Geauga County Maple Leaf

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Charles Hildenbrand, Gone Too Soon, But Never Forgotten

By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com Keith Landies met Charles Hildenbrand in their sophomore year at Chardon High School and they quickly became friends, while thousands of miles away, a foreign war raged on in Vietnam.

On a recent calm autumn afternoon, sandwiched between days of rainy weather, Landies joined Charles’ nephew, Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand, on a visit to the gravesite where Charles is laid to rest at Chardon Municipal Cemetery.

Charles made the ultimate sacrifice, at age 20, and became Geauga County’s first member of the armed forces killed in Vietnam, on June 19, 1967, in action in the steamy jungles of Mekong Delta.

“Chuck is what we called him,” Landies said, back at Residence Artists, fondly reflecting on their friendship inside the successful home building, construction and remodeling business he and his sons built in Chardon.

The two friends had a common likeness — both enjoyed coon dog hunting at night in Geauga County.

“That was my time with Chuck,” Landies said. “We were close. Chuck got out of high school and went into the (U.S.) Army in 1966.

He felt like it was his patriotic duty to go.”

When he entered the army, he was carrying out a family tradition of military service.

Pfc. Charles John Hildenbrand served with A Company, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Vietnam. His grandfather served in World War I and his father, Harold, served in U.S. Navy in World War II. Memories came to life of Charles’ life before service, described in the aged newspaper articles Landies unfolded.

Charles grew up on Aquilla Road, about two miles east of Chardon Square, and had a penchant for fixing cars — he had a ‘57 Chevy from which he removed the backseat for his hunting dogs — and worked for a year as an inspector on the second shift at Parker-Hannifin in Cleveland.

Landies said Chuck was not the kind of guy to go to college, even though attending college became a way of staying out of Vietnam.

Landies headed straight to Lake Erie College for one year and then transferred to Kent State University.

At that time, the U.S. entered into a divisive and protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States, according to Britannica.

After Charles death, he was buried at the section next to the ground’s City of Chardon Veteran’s Memorial. The gravestone next to him bears the name of his father.

All of the newspaper articles reporting on Charles’ death highlight the close relationship he had with Harold, with whom he went to state trials for coon hunting.

Gravesites at the historic cemetery tucked off Park Avenue bear the chiseled names of many veterans. Freshly-placed American flags dot the landscape.

“I do appreciate his sacrifice, as well as all the other men and women that made that sacrifice,” Scott said, of his uncle, as he placed flowers down on the gravesite. “I never knew him because I was not part of the family until about 1968, when my mother remarried. She

married Harold (Scott) Hildenbrand and he adopted me and my sister. We then changed our last name to Hildenbrand.”

At the close of funeral rites for Charles, a flag was presented to his parents, Harold and Eleanor, by a military honor guard with a threegun salute and taps tribute. The couple received the Army’s bronze star and purple heart, awarded posthumously to their youngest son.

“He always seemed happy and had a smile for everyone,” Susan Hine — a childhood friend since second grade at Park Elementary School in Chardon — had said in one of the news articles.

Charles was remembered as being quite mature for his age and as a kid, he was remembered for his love for animals.

The Hildenbrand home had, at one time or another, a cow, rabbits, sheep, horses and always a dog, and Charles raised sheep for a 4-H project until age 10, winning ribbons at The Great Geauga County Fair.

However, his greatest interest was in his field trial dogs.

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ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG

Keith Landies and Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand visit the gravesites of Hildenbrand’s uncle, Charles Hildenbrand, who was Landies’ good friend at Chardon High School.

Charles lost his life while fighting for the United States of America in the Vietnam War. Next to him lies Charles’ father, Harold Hildenbrand, also a veteran.

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In Honor of Michael Lynn Patterson Sr. Army Military Police

In Memory of Gordon J. Petrik Army

In Memory of Edward J. Rakowicz Army, WWII

In Honor of Spc. James E. Rakowicz Army, Vietnam

In Honor of Robert Rockow Navy

In Memory of Leo Earl Rowan Jr. Navy

In Honor of TSG Steven Sarantos Air Force

In Memory of Cpl. Francis L. Schwendeman Army Air Force, WWII

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In Memory of Pvt. Charles F. Schwendeman Army WWI

In Memory of Cpl. Charles J. Schwendeman Army, Military Police WWII

In Honor of Dr. Clair Schwendeman Army, Medical Dr.

In Honor of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Schwendeman Army

In Memory of Roy J. Schwendeman Merchant Marine, WWII

In Honor of Russell Schwendeman Army

In Honor of Sp4 Tanya Schwendeman Army

In Memory of MSG. Anthony Shaw Army

In Honor of Leonard Sherrill Army

In Honor of Richard R. Stone Army, Vietnam

In Memory of Teddy Sulkowski Army

In Honor of Lyn A. Svendsen Navy

In Memory of James Szemenyei Air Force

In Memory of Julius Szemenyei Army

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In Memory of Robert W. Vachulka Army, WWII

In Honor of Mike Warner Army

In Memory of Jack B. Warren Sr. Marines

In Honor of Jack B. Warren Jr. Army

In Honor of Sam F. Warren Navy

In Honor of Charles B. White Army

In Memory of Eugene Wojnowski Air Force

In Memory of Melvin H. “Tim” Young Army

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Vietnam Veteran Lives By ‘Life Is Good’ Mantra

By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com After several offers to play collegiate football upon graduating from Chardon High School, a patriotic commitment to the country called and Mike Warner enlisted on Aug. 2, 1968, in the United States Army.

“When I worked as a personal protection operative, my captain gave me many life lessons about duty, honor and family,” Warner recalled. “We worked with different people on the many missions, such as other operatives, South Koreans, South Vietnamese, marines, navy and others, showing we could build relationships and work toward a common goal. (My captain) showed me courage under fire and put me in harm’s way more times than I wanted, but we always made it out safe. I believe my experience in Vietnam gave me the courage to move forward, no matter how tough.”

Warner had a long and distinguished career in the military and fire services.

He served in the U.S. Army from enlist-

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From March to November, he and his father would travel to field trials throughout Ohio and neighboring states. While serving in Vietnam, letters Chuck sent home contained money to his mother to be put toward buying a fine hunting dog and a car for his return home from the war.

He and his dad exchanged many letters discussing dogs. He also is remembered for enjoying his high school industrial arts classes taught by Ralph Combs.

Before entering college to study education, Combs himself enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduation and was stationed in the Philippines for two years. Upon his discharge, he enrolled at Kent State University to earn his degree and taught for 26 years at CHS - Industrial Arts and Drafting, retiring in 1986.

ment to 1971, including three overseas tours, two in Vietnam and one in Germany, and continued his military service as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard from 19781987.

Warner spent 40 years in the fire services, working his way up through the ranks from volunteer firefighter to Hambden Township’s fire chief before accepting a position as Concord Township fire chief.

He also served as Ohio Fire Chiefs Association president and Ohio Fire Chiefs Federal Legislative liaison.

Warner’s public service has been recognized through numerous awards, including the 2006 Lake County Blue Coats Award, 2006 Hero’s for Andy Award and the Ohio Police Chiefs Award for starting the Public Safety Alliance in 2012. He was also inducted in the Chardon High School Hall of Fame in 2005, and garnered the State of Ohio Fire Marshall Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award in 2015, as well as the Ohio VFW Firefighter of the Year Award for 2015-2016.

Warner joined the Lake County Sheriff’s

Office as a captain in charge of central communications in 2016. He has since retired, but hasn’t slowed down.

Warner’s mantra is, “Life is good,” he said, adding his life lessons include the importance of being purpose-driven, a lifelong learner, honest and staying true to your word.

Building relationships is equally important, he said, adding this includes “helping people without expecting a reward and those folks being there when you need help.”

“We went to Vietnam to help keep a country free and to help the Vietnamese people.

Some were appreciative,” Warner said. “I was not happy with our government when we abandoned our allies during the North Vietnamese take over.”

While people often face many challenges in life, a positive attitude will win and learning to forgive provides freedom, Warner said.

“I think everyone should give back to this country. My time in the army was tough, but I went to Vietnam as a 19-year-old kid and came home a 20-year-old man,” Warner said.

“My faith and wife saved me from destruction.

This is a great country and we are not perfect, but there is no better place to live and raise a family than the United States of America.”

“When I heard of his death, I felt sure he must have been lending someone a hand when it happened,” Combs said, in a news clipping. “He was never just looking out for himself.”

Mike Warner, a freshman at CHS at the time of Chuck’s death, feels a strong bond with him, after also serving in the Vietnam War. Warner enlisted on Aug. 2, 1968.

“I was in the corps around DaNang,” Warner said.

The Delta, where Charles fought, was in IV Corps.

“I sort of remember,” Warner said, referring to when word reached home of the county’s first soldier casualty. “Dave Urban’s death was in 1968 and I was more aware of his death because his mother was one of our Sunday school teachers.”

Each year on Memorial Day, at the steps of the Geauga County Courthouse in Chardon, VFW Post 6519 — where Warner active-

ly serves — pays tribute to those who died.

Charles’ name is listed on a plaque with the others who died in Vietnam from Geauga County.

“My first visit to the Wall was in 1983. I have been back at least 15 times,” Warner said, referring to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was unveiled in 1982.

On it are the inscribed names of 57,939 American men and women killed or missing in the war. Later additions brought that total to 58,200.

Warner has attended services for the traveling Wall whenever it is close to home.

“Pfc. Charles J. Hildenbrand made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and he is a hero in my book,” Warner said. “My only regret is our country did not appreciate the sacrifices made by so many young men and women. Not only those who died on the battlefield, but those who died from injuries or other illness from Agent Orange.”

Charles’ sacrifice is not forgotten in online tributes, such as Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds The Wall of Faces. One such post, on June 19, 2015, reads: “Remembering an American Hero. Dear Pfc. Charles John Hildenbrand, sir. As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men

and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

“May God allow you to read this and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you.

Curt Carter.”

Landies, an avid military historian, has a family memorial garden at the Chardon cemetery and has traveled extensively to visit other military cemeteries in Scotland and France.

His office is dedicated to honoring his ancestors and those lost from Geauga County, with countless photos adorning the walls of names and faces he has quick stories for.

“I remember the ceremony (for Charles) down at the Park Cemetery,” Landies said.

“Harold and he were very close. Chuck was a very, very giving individual and easy to get along with. He didn’t have a nasty bone in his body. He was a great marksman, great hunter and mechanic, too, always working on cars.

We always felt like we’d go coon hunting together when he came back.”

Landies received one final letter dated July 4, 1995, from Harold, who had relocated to California and died on April 17, 1998.

“Thanks for taking care of the grave marker and keep in touch, as it is nice to hear about what is going on back there. Keep in touch,” he wrote.

At least once a month, Landies visits Charles’ gravesite.

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Vietnam Veteran Mike Warner carries with him the lessons from war and a positive attitude by living a purpose filled life.

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