Branch: Navy Years of service: 3 (1964-1967) Squadron: HC1-Squadron 4th Class Aviation Jet Mechanic Served in Okinawa, Japan
John Stubbs
Army Sgt. Vietnam 1969-1971
Robert L. Istnick
Air Force Captain 11 years
Kenneth G. Pelch
Served in the USMC 1968-1972 in Force Recon, served two tours in Vietnam. Now a member of the Marine League in Interlochen and an Adult Volunteer staff member of the Traverse City Young Marines. Also a lifetime member of the VFW, was guest speaker at the Marine Birthday last November, 2023 at the VFW in Traverse City
Jesus Sanchez
Jess served 22.5 years in the US Navy. Since retirement he continuously gives to the community. Whether it be delivering with his wife with Lap Robes for Veterans in local nursing homes, helping with the Veterans Memorial at the Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds or helping his daughter and granddaughter get to 4H meetings, events or practices.
Gary H. Rankin
For serving in Vietnam to defend our country US Army SP/5 192nd Finance Section Vietnam 1966-67
John F. Grix
US Army Specialist 4
John W. Dieckman
US Armed Forces Naval Dept. April 28, 1948 to March 24, 1952 Personnelman, Second Class Served on: USNAV Supply Depot, Bayonne, New Jersey (station) and USS
(vessel)
Gerald Scheppelman
Served in the Army and stationed in Japan from Arcadia, Michigan.
Mike Machen
Mike is a Marine Corp combat veteran who has been serving the Manistee County Community for a decade, first as a 911 dispatcher and now as the Director of 911. Mike is a husband and father of two girls. He’s an ordained minister and high school football coach. I don’t know how he finds time to do everything he does. He shows up for the people that need him and our community is lucky to have him.
Cpl. Ralph J. Krusniak
United States Army 1st Cavalry Division World War II
Daryl Switalski
He was a marine, a great father, and has a heart of gold.
Lyle Sannes
Vietnam war veteran.
Lt. Col. Dale L. Picardat
Branch of Service: United States Air Force
Rank: Lt. Colonel
Years of Service: 22 Years of Service
Note: Graduate of the Naval Academy 1954
Kenneth Bauman
United states army E-6 1962 – 1986
Michael Bauman
United States Army E-4 1983 – 1986
David Coffin
USMC E-4 1966-1969
John Clifton
United States Navy E-6 1944-1946
Gary Clifton
United States Navy E-4 1966-1970
Edward Cote
Branch army. Staff Sergeant 2 years. Was awarded silver star and two bronze stars.
James A. Muszynski
E-4 5th Infantry Recon Vietnam, Grim Reaper
Kurt Edenburn
Served in The United States Army with the 1st Infantry Division Black Lions . Vietnam War
Christopher Myer
I’m honoring my boyfriend Chris because he joined the Army right out of high school in 2015. He was a MP (Military Police) for 6 years until he was honorably discharge in 2021. While taking care of his family in Kentucky, after discharge he moved them back to Michigan. Now he is finishing college and will start the Police Academy next year. He is a hero because he continues to put others in front of him. He wants what is best for this county and his family & friends!
Travis T. Muszynski
Sgt. Army 1st of the 126th Tank Crewman, Iraq
Jerry Swathwood
Navy for 4 years E-4 Fire Controlman Petty Officer 3rd class
Harry Muszynski
Army Tech Sargeant-969 Engineers, D-Day landing
Ronald L. Muszynski
Sgt. 4th Infantry Vietnam
Jim Halsey
US Army, Sp 5, Served 1963-1966
“My Dad still walks in the Manistee 4th of July and Memorial Day parades every year with the Vietnam Era Vets”
Joseph W. Maxey
Combat Veteran, Vietnam Veteran, Retired 23 years of service
Joseph W. Maxey
Combat Veteran, Vietnam Veteran, Retired 23 years of service
Thank you for your Hard Work & Dedication!
Michael J. Muszynski
33 years in the Navy and Coast Guard World War I and World War II
SPONSORED BY SCAN TO SPOTLIGHT A VETERAN!
SSG. Craig S. Bond (Ret.)
Army National Guard Tank Commander, 21 yrs.
Jack Bernaciak
US Air Force, Airman First Class 1951 To 1955
Sgt. Nathan I. Bond
U.S. Marine Corp. Infantry, 8 yrs.
Joseph G. Knauer
US Army Private First Class
WWII 2nd Ranger
Dale Mowry
SPF5 Army
12/71-12/74
Richard Paul Haase
US Navy and US Army, Sergeant First Class
2 tours of service in Vietnam, Awarded with honor for valor, 22 years served plus 17 years civil service
Bernard Gauthier
Army, Sergeant, 3 years
Leonard Opalka
Army Vietnam Veteran
Sergeant E-5, 1966-1968
Honor Guard, Arlington National Cemetary
Karl Herrmann
US Navy
Pharmacist Mate
Anibal A. Pepper
Major US Army Medical Corps
2 years 1969-1971, Vietnam Vet
MASH Unit
Jack Adamczak SGT
Reginald Asplet
John George “Geo” Babion
Norman Barth Technical Sergeant
Sarah Bean US Army Served for 2 1/2 years,
Robert Bennett Corporal US Army 1952-1954
Roger Betts US Coast Guard 1968-1972
Len Bialik US Air Force Sept.4, 1975-Aug.15, 1978
Michael Bjorkquist US Army 1968-1970
Jack Blacklock Quarter Master 1st Class
Ray Bohannon US Navy Vietnam
Michael Bohannon US Air Force Afghanistan and Middle East
Brandon Bohannon US Air Force Currently Serving
Taylor Bohannon
Robb Bollenberg Heavy Equipment Operator
Melvin Borocki S/SGT
Jerry Boyle US Coast Guard, US Navy Reserve 1975-1979 and 1986-2003
Stanley Brandis Turret Captain US Navy Served 6 Years
Joel Brown SGT USMC Vietnam 1969-1973
Richard Brown Private First Class Army Air Corp 1943-1946
Scott Buckner US Air Force 1978-1982
Guy Bullis Chief Warrant O cer 2 US Army (Ret.) 20+ Years of Service
John (Holger) Didorek
Alyssa Eisenlohr Seaman David
Erickson
Martin (Zonie) Fredericksen
Robert Gillett
Valor
Forest Jacobs
Jerome Jacobs
James Knight
Eugene Kolanowski
Daniel Korzeniewski
Dave Kramer MSGT
Leonard Krause Jr.
Gloria Krivitzky-Bullis
Cpl. Ralph J. Krusniak United States Army 1st Calvary Division World War II
Jason Kubanek Master Sergeant
Army Sinai Peninsula, Afghanistan and Iraq Retired in 2009
Tom Kubanek Sergeant First Class
Air Force Stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador Discharged in 1962
Donald Meyers
CAMPY BAILY SERVED HONORABLE IN VIETNAM.
DOROTHY JEAN WILLIAMS -PETERSON SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO COUNTRY VIA US ARMY NURSES CORPS
LINDA DUCHON AND LAURA HENDERSON WOMEN’S ARMY CORPS
ROBERT US ARMY 1968
GREGG LARABEL US AIR FORCE
RICK BOOKHEIMER
RICK IS A VETERAN U.S.
Thank you for your service!
L SKIERA 1968 TO 1970 TED ARENS US MARINE CORPS IN VIETNAM IN 1968
BOOKHEIMER VETERAN OF THE NAVY
ELWIN FARNSWORTH JR. ARMY SFC
SERVED 2 TERMS IN IRAQ 1/21/1988-3/18/2010
DONALD JAMES PETERSON RETIRED LT.COL AFTER 31 YEARS OF SERVICE IN USAF
SP4 DOUGLAS BISCHOFF ARMY MILITARY POLICE BUSHWACKER BRONZE STAR RECIPIENT 8-1969 TO 3-1971
Jack Nelson SP4 US Army
Carl Nowak US Army
Harlan Nelson SW-2 US Navy USS Little Rock CLG-4 1967-1971
Hugh O’Hagan SP4 US Army Germany 1959-1962
Ian Nelson SP4 US Army Currently Serving
Joseph O’Hagan SGT US Air Force
K.I. Sawyer, Gwinn, MI 1984-1988
Tyge Nelson Jr. Sergeant E-5 US Army Currently Serving
Arthur Olen PFC US Army Jan.11,1950-Apr.25,1952
Amanda Nerg Captain US Air Force
Harold Olen CPL 6/17/1946, SGT 11/1947, SFC 11/1950, SGT,SGTFC 11/1951 US Army 1946-1951
Nerg Sta Sergeant US Air Force, US Air Reserve 6 Years
US Air Force
Kevin
Michael Oleniczak
8 ways to honor veterans
Millions of people make considerable sacrifices to protect the freedoms of their fellow citizens. According to the Pew Research Center and data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently more than 18 million living veterans in the United States. The 2021 Census counted 461,240 veterans in Canada, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
The term “veteran” refers to a person who served in the active military, naval, air service, or space service and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. In the U.S., there are actually five types of protected veterans, according to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. Under VEVRAA, a veteran may be classified as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, or Armed Forces service medal veteran.
Veterans deserve respect and admiration all year long, but also get their own holiday each November. Veterans Day celebrates veterans’ patriotism and willingness to sacrifice and serve. This Veterans Day, people can consider these eight unique ways to honor the veterans in their community.
1. Attend events. Organize or participate in local Veterans Day celebrations, such as parades and ceremonial events.
2. Get involved with veterans’ affairs. Support veterans by volunteering with organizations that assist them, such as the VA, local veteran’s groups, VA hospitals, or charities dedicated to veteran services.
3. Petition for veteran speakers. Reach out to schools, scout troops or other groups and arrange opportunities for veterans to share their stories and contributions. Learning about the sacrifices these men and women made can heighten individuals’ appreciation for veterans.
4. Support the families of veterans. Reach out to veterans’ families, who also must make sacrifices and concessions. Anything from shopping, babysitting, doing chores, or making a meal can help the families of veterans.
5. Make a donation. If finances allow, make contributions to reputable charities that provide services for veterans like those that offer mental health counseling or job placement services. If there isn’t a
6. Hire veterans to work. If you are a business owner or hiring manager, consider hiring veterans for open positions at your company. It can be challenging to re-enter the workforce after service, so make it known that your firm welcomes veterans.
7. Offer personal acknowledgements. Take the time to speak to veterans and thank them for their service. If possible, when dining out, ask the server if you can pay for the meal of a veteran who also is dining that day.
8. Don’t forget the fallen veterans. Although Memorial Day is designed to honor those who lost their lives through military service, people still can honor the fallen veterans on Veterans Day by sharing stories or placing flags at veteran cemeteries.
Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11, marking an opportunity to express one’s gratitude and support for the scores of veterans who have served honorably.
Military service personnel make a personal sacrifice and put the country before their own needs and those of their families. Serving the military has inherent risks to safety, but many still heed the call to serve.
Serving the nation seldom is an easy task, and sometimes acting military and veterans need some assistance. Many charities work to provide that assistance, and these organizations are worth supporting.
• Wounded Warrior Project®:
This organization was founded in 2003 by a group of veterans and friends in Roanoke, Virginia, who wanted to take action to help injured service men and women. The mission of WWP is to honor and empower service personnel who incurred physical or mental injuries, illnesses or wounds related to military service on or after September 11, 2001. According to the organization, 100 percent of a person’s donation supports wounded warriors, with roughly 71 percent spent directly on programs and services, and the balance paid to support the delivery of this support.
• Homes For Our Troops:
Homes For Our Troops builds and donates specially adapted and customized homes nationwide to help severely injured post-9/11 veterans. Since the nonprofit organization’s inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents out of every dollar spent has gone directly to program services to veterans. HFOT builds homes where veterans choose to live, and continues a relationship with the veterans after home delivery to assist with rebuilding their lives.
• Gary Sinise Foundation:
Many people recognize Gary Sinise as
a prominent and award-winning actor known predominantly for his roles as Lieutenant Dan in “Forrest Gump” and Detective Mac Taylor on “CSI: New York.” After the tragic attacks on September 11, 2001, Sinise began devoting much of his time to support the people who were deployed in response to those attacks. Sinise ultimately decided to found his own organization with the mission of expressing gratitude and giving support to the men and women who willingly fight for the country to keep the nation safe and free.
•
K9s for Warriors:
According to the K9s for Warriors organization, an average of 20 veterans take their own lives each day and roughly 1,000 dogs are euthanized. To change these stark statistics, K9s for Warriors was established to adopt and train shelter dogs as service animals, and pair them with mentally struggling veterans who could benefit from a four-legged friend. A study by Flagler College found 92 percent of the nonprofit’s veteran graduates reported a reduction in medication usage, and 82 percent reported reduced suicide ideation after being paired with a dog.
•
Vets Canada:
Vets Canada is a grassroots movement founded by veteran Jim Lowther in 2010. Lowther realized veterans were slipping through the cracks and living in high-risk situations. Together with his wife Debbie, Lowther formed a small team in Halifax to offer help to homeless and at-risk veterans with an end goal of reintegrating them into civilian life. The mission evolved into Vets Canada, which has helped 4,554 veterans to date.
Supporting military and veterans charities is a great way to show your appreciation for the individuals who served and sacrificed for their countries.
Ronald Wardwell
Prentiss Ware
22 2025 Veterans and Valor Manistee News Advocate & Benzie County
