Honoring Our Heroes 2020

Honoring

Our Heroes November 11, 2020

Today and every day we are grateful for our military personal, past and present.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

JALANNY RUPP BROKER/AGENT 320.894.4512

JANE VIKSE

BROKER®/OWNER 320.979.0632

JASMINE VIKSE REALTOR® 320.894.3862

JENNA VIKSE ADMIN ASSISTANT 320.796.1000

Call us today 320-796-1000

HONORING OUR HEROES

D2 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

CLIFFORD ANDREEN NAVY

DAVID AHLQUIST NAVY

ALBERT ARDOFF NAVY

CARL ARDOFF ARMY

DAVID ARDOFF ARMY

DOUG ARDOFF NAVY

GEORGE ARDOFF ARMY

GREGORY ARDOFF ARMY E 5

TIMOTHY ROBERT BAILEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SPECIALIST E4 1986-1992

NORMAN BAKER ARMY

EARL BANKS ARMY

DARYL BARKER ARMY E-4 SPECIALIST

We Honor Our Veterans

901 Astro Blvd. E. Cosmos, MN 56228

(320) 877-7713 Made in the USA

Keith L. Scott Agency

239 Miles St Appleton 320-289-1454 320 1st St. SW, Willmar 320.235.2000 www.jmsklaw.com

JOHN BARTON

www.farmers-merchants.com

Business • Farm • Auto • Home • Life What ever your insurance needs, We’ve got you covered!

130 S 8th St, Bird Island, MN 55310 320-365-3400 | Fax: 320-365-340 | 6scottins@birdislandmn.com

HURLEY’S Tree Service

Tree trimming, removal & stumping.

Free est. Insured.

320-995-1426

Your source for shutdowns, small capital projects, plant expansions and greenfield construction. www.fageninc.com

HONORING OUR HEROES

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

HERB BAUMANN

SPC DEVIN BUNDY

Family owned for over 15 years 13298 105th Ave SW, Raymond 320-967-4888 nealmotors.net

Thank You Veterans!

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D3

SGT SCOTT BECKLER ARMY NAT. GUARD 22 YR OF SERVICE DEPLOYED IRAQ 05-06 KUWAIT 09-10

PFC ELLSWORTH BJORK ARMY PFC

MICHAEL BLOCK NAVY

HARRY BRICKHEIMER AIR FORCE 1933-1970

MAJOR MICHAEL BUNDY MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD

MICHAEL BUNDY E-5 UNITED STATES MARINE CORP

SCOTT R. BUTTERFIELD US NAVY E5

MAHLON CAYLOR NAVY

LEONARD DEGREE US ARMY

JOHN DILLEY

MATTHEW DINESEN MN NATIONAL GUARD SERGEANT

You’ve had our back, now we have yours!

102 Minnesota Ave SW Willmar, MN 56201 Phone: 320-231-2513 Thank you for your service!

MidState Painting www.prinsagency.com

Flagpoles, Flags and Banners

320-978-4444

508 3rd St Prinsburg, MN FULL SERVICE INSURANCE AGENCY

5250 Hwy. 71 NE, Willmar 320-235-6308 866-935-6308 uncommonflagpoles.com

MEDICARE HEALTH PLANS AUTO · HOME · LIFE FARM · COMMERCIAL

Specializing in Exterior Farm Buildings Commercial & Residential Interior & Exterior

FREE Estimates Jeff Stadther

320-579-0849

We salute our veterans who give so much to preserve our freedoms.

2286 County Road 4 NE Atwater, MN 56209

320-894-0287

rbuerelectric@hotmail.com

HONORING OUR HEROES

D4 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

LARRY R. DOYLE ARMY WARRANT OFFICER

LEROY EKSTROM ARMY WWII

ARDELL ENGWALL ARMY E-5

DAVE ENGWALL ARMY NATIONAL GUARD KOREA

RICHARD FERGUSON U.S. NAVY

JOSEPH M FREESE US ARMY SGT

ROLAND FROELICH ARMY WWII

SERGEANT MATTHEW GAUER MINNESOTA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

ELARD GILBERTSON ARMY CPL

KNUTE GJERDE NAVY

JOHN GRUNDSETH

ELDON HAUSER ARMY

DALE HENKELMAN ARMY

Ziemer Auctions 002021229r1

Proud to be familyowned and operated for over 50 years in the USA. We honor our veterans and salute the flag.

Mark & Brian are the “fastest talkers in town”!

Mark Ziemer, 320.354.4312 Brian Ziemer, 320.354.5308  ziemerauctions.com 

Saluting All Fellow Veterans Past, Present and Future

We honor and support the brave men and women who protect our freedoms.

THANK YOU.

Since 1963

Thank you 235-7887

2320 S. First St., Willmar

Willmar, MN 320.235.7761

www.edinarealty.com

Honoring All Who Serve Blomkest, MN (320) 995-6141

We Honor and Thank the Veterans in Our Area!

320-254-8246 www.belgradesteeltank.com

HONORING OUR HEROES

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

MARVIN L HEY MN NATIONAL GUARD, MAJOR DATE OF SERVICE 2/1/60 - 12/31/81

FLOYD HODGE

BRET KASEL US ARMY, 13TH PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS BATTALION DEPLOYED TO IRAQ IN 2003 AND 2006 TO 2007

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! 1200 First Street S. Willmar, MN 56201

320.235.5740

www.waltscarwash.com Locally Owned Supporting the Community

FLOYD H. JOHNSON ARMY AIR CORP CAPTAIN

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D5

ERVIN KALLSTOM ARMY

AL KELM US ARMY 1968 – 1971, SERGEANT E-5 RADIO (MORRIS) CODE OPERATOR, COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF. SERVED 18 MONTHS ALONG THE DMZ IN KOREA WITH THE 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION

D6 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

DAVID KEMP NAVY SUBMARINE SERVICE IC1

HONORING OUR HEROES

DONALD KEMP NAVY SEABEES SK3

CARL KJOS

BRUCE A. KLAASSEN ARMY SPEC 5 1968-1971

JOE KOCH ARMY PFC

STEVE KVAAL LTC(R), US ARMY

GERALD LAPATKA ARMY

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

JIM KLUEGEL ARMY CORP

320-231-9868 601 4th St. SW, Willmar, MN www.compassionatecareofmn.com

Happy Veterans Day “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13 In honor of all who served and continue to serve.

Thank you and God Bless!

320-235-2775 1000 Cottonwood Dr. NE & 1506 Upper Trentwood Circle NE, Willmar, MN

www.compassionatecottage.com

Willmar: 320.222.6111 Blomkest: 320.995.6111

Saluting all Veterans!

Thank you for your service to our community.

HONORING OUR HEROES

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

JEROME ALLEN LEE USAF SGT

RONALD LINN ARMY

GARY LOCHER AIR FORCE

BURT LUNDBERG ARMY SGT

LT. ART MIDDLETON SERVED IN WWII

SGT. 1ST CLASS PETER MIDDLETON PRESENTLY SERVING IN THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE

SGT BRIAN MUNDAHL

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D7

BURTON MCBROOM MARINES WWII

Thank You to All Who Served!

AMH3 Proctor, Kenneth

Lieutenant Erickson, Ross

SPC Giersdorf, Terry

1312 West DePue Ave. Olivia, Minnesota 56277 101 North Main St. Blomkest, MN 56216 Serving the Community for 65 Years

320-995-6114

320-523-1621 www.er vinwellmn.com

HONORING OUR HEROES

D8 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Stories of the 82nd Airborne

By Marvin Roy Turnipseed Willmar was a sergeant transferred into the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division between the Korean and Vietnam wars. The 82nd was stationed at Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Upon arrival in the unit, I met an older sargeant who was about to get out after being in the Army for 20 years. He was a rather nice guy, but after talking to him a few minutes, one quickly realized that he was fortunate to have a rank as high as a sergeant.

The unit had a scheduled training jump planned for the next day. He went into Fayetteville that night to visit his girlfriend. He convinced her to come out to watch him jump the next day. But, how would she know him from the other hundreds of men making the same jump? He told her that he would stuff his shirt with leaflets of toilet tissue and he would throw it out as he was descending. That way, she would know which one he was up there in the sky.

When he got back to the bar-

I

racks most of the troops were still up.

He started bragging about his plan. Those young troops had never missed an opportunity to give him a “rough” time. He told them of his plan for her to spot him amongst all the descending troops.

After each troop jumped out of the plane, the first thing he did was to empty all of the toilet paper leaflets out of his shirt. While the troops were descending, the sky was filled with toilet paper leaflets which were “raining” down. The girlfriend: disappointed. The Post commanding General: he made all of those troops run the seven miles back out there to pick up all of that toilet paper and run the seven miles back.

War games In the winter of 1958 the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, was playing war games. There were many things that various groups of soldiers had to do in order to join the “fight.” My platoon was flown to an abandoned Air Force base on the South Carolina/­North

To our men and and To and To our men To our our men men and women in uniform... uniform... women in in womenwomen in uniform... uniform... past, present present past, past, past, present present and future future and and and future future Thank You! You! Thank Thank Thank You! You! And GodYou! Bless You! You! And Bless And God Bless And God God Bless You! www.willmarag.org www.willmarag.org www.willmarag.org www.willmarag.org

MARVIN TURNIPSEED SARGEANT IN THE ARMY, AIRBORNE DIVISION

Carolina border. On Monday morning, we were supposed to be picked up by an airplane and join the war games by jumping back into the middle of them.

On the weekend while we were waiting at the old Air Force base, the weather turned extremely cold. To try to keep

warm, the troops built a fire pit about 6 feet across and 1.5 feet deep. Most troops were not prepared for this type of weather, so they kept a fire in the pit around the clock. On Monday morning, the plane never came to pick us up. We were not informed as to why. Finally, on Thursday night, we were informed that the plane would pick us up before daylight on Friday morning. So, we got up at 2 a.m. to get ready for the plane to pick us up.

We were also told that we would not be jumping back into the war games. Why? The cold weather resulted in the ground freezing very hard. And, all of the early jumpers were landing on that frozen ground resulting in many broken bones, so many that the hospital didn’t have room for any more hurt troopers. So, we didn’t get to jump.

On that Friday morning we ate breakfast around 2:30 a.m.

The plane did not come at the expected time. After about two hours, I got extremely hungry.

82ND AIREBORNE: Page D9

Thank You for serving our country & protecting our freedoms!

Main Office Main Office Atwater 1025 E. Frontage Rd. Location | Litchfield, MN 55355 Litchfield Location 1025 E. Frontage Rd. 16319 HWy. 12 NE 511 Polydome Dr. 320.693.2821 Litchfield, MN 55355 Atwater, MN 56209 Litchfield, MN 55355 Atwater Location 320.693.2821 320.974.8868 320.693.6014 16319 Hwy. 12 NE | Atwater, MN 56209

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

HONORING OUR HEROES

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D9

Serving aboard the USS O’Brien

By Dwaine Buer Electronic Technician, 2nd Class n the spring of 1965, I was serving aboard the ship USS O’Brien DD-725.

This ship had quite a history.

In World War II it took part in the Invasion of Normandy and fought against the Japanese in the Pacific. It also took part in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. I proudly served three years aboard this ship. While we were patrolling off the coast of Vietnam, we received a call from another US Navy ship to assist an Australian outpost that was under attack by the Vietcong. We were called in to provide gun support. This outpost was five miles inland (the limit of our guns). We were unable to talk directly with the radio controller at the outpost.

The Electronics Department, that I was part of on the ship, found a battery-operated radio that could potentially talk directly to him. Unfortunately the battery was dead. We found a battery charger for the radio and managed to make it

I

work. Then we took an antenna and tied it to the super structure of the ship. After that, we gave the radio to the Combat Information Center on the ship. Then they were able to talk to the radio man at the outpost. He directed us where to shoot around the outpost where he was located. We were firing our guns, five-inch 38s.

This was all happening at night.

At one point during the night, he came on the radio.

He told us they were coming over the fence. He said,

Habitat for Humanity Veteran’s Build Accepting Applications Now through November 20th, 2020 Active Military, Veteran Status or Families of the Fallen may have the opportunity to purchase a Habitat home based on: Housing Need • Ability to Pay • Willingness to Partner For an application packet visit Habitat for Humanity 2424 1st St S, Willmar MN or call (320) 231-2704 Tuesday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm

“Keep firing, I need to put the radio down and pick up my gun.” We thought we would probably never hear from him again. Not too much later, he came back on the radio saying, “Keep firing, keep firing!”

When daylight came, we had saved the outpost. I would enjoy meeting the radio man from the outpost! I am proud to have made a small contribution to help save that Australian outpost during the Vietnam War. I am proud to have served in the US Navy.

82ND AIRBORNE From Page D8

So, I went up to the old mess hall. They had no food I could have because they were breaking camp to return home. They told me the garbage pit was not yet closed and that there were some chickens in plastic bags on top of the rest of the garbage. I got one and took the plastic bag off it.

On the way back to the fire pit, I cut a small limb off a tree and trimmed a sharp point to stick through the chicken. I elbowed my way into the circle of troops around the fire pit and started cooking my chicken over the hot coals. All the troops in that circle made many different negative remarks toward me. Even though I took a really good razzing I persisted in cooking the chicken.

After a while the chicken started smelling really good.

The troops started arguing among themselves who was going to eat the part I left.

Those troops found out that there is no nourishment in a good-smelling cooked chicken because I never left any meat on a single bone.

We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.

Senior Housing Cooperative 55+ 1400 Willmar Ave SE, Willmar, MN 320-222-8988 www.ipwillmar.com

D10 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

HONORING OUR HEROES

Ralph Olson

Pfc. Paul G. Wearda Light weapons, machine gun Purple Heart, Bronze Star, U.S. Army Commendation Medal

J

Willmar ust before midnight Nov. 29, 1951, a month short of his 22nd birthday and deep in North Korea, as part of 29-man patrol, Paul Wearda was sent on a two-man mission.

He was shot in the foot and soon surrounded by enemy soldiers pointing their bayanottes, the fate of his fellow soldier unknown.

He was stripped of his clothing – but for his blood-soaked pants – kicked and stomped on and left for dead in the snow, perhap as a decoy.

The platoon leader discovered

him later in the night. Wearda warned the lieutenant of the enemy troops nearby. Thanks to the injured private the American patrol avoided an ambush and engaged the enemy with rifles and grenades.

A medic treated Wearda with morphine; he awoke three days later in a hospital in Pusan (now Busan), in South Korea The draftee mustered out in 1953.

He later started a farm implement dealership in Willmar, married and raised a family.

He died Sept. 30, 2009, aged 79 years, 9 months.

God bless the men and women who have served, and those who continue to do so. We thank you.

Locally Owned Since 1995 Dale Sweep, Owner 264 Manitoba St W, Spicer • Phone: 320.796.6020 • Cell: 320.894.3095 www.kandiwater.com Find us on

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

1st. Sgt. Company C. 682 Engineer Combat Battalion, U.S. Army National Guard

S

Willmar ure to get drafted, the 1947 Willmar High School graduate opted to enlist as a member of the local guard unit, which at the time met in the basement of the Willmar City Auditorium.

He would spend seven years in the military, two years active at Camp Rucker, Ala. (now Ft. Rucker).

Upon returning, he went back to work at Peterson Shoes, buying the business in 1984, now owned by his son.

Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and for fighting to protect our freedom.

Happy Veterans Day Kandiyohi Power Cooperative 8605 47th St NE, Spicer MN 56288

HONORING OUR HEROES

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

GARY NELSON ARMY SPC 4 VIETNAM WAR

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D11

VERNON NORLING ARMY

LTC DAN O’MEARA

PFC GERALD H. OLSON ARMY PFC ALEUTIAN ISLAND CAMPAIGN 1943-1944

RALPH OLSON 1ST SARGENT

CARL HOWARD PETERSON NAVY

KEN PETERSON

PHILLIP OLSON NAVY

HONORING

ALL WHO HAVE ALL SERVED WHO HAVE HONORING

BANK

We will be closed on Monday, November 11th in honor of Veterans Day.

SERVED

Willmar • Sunburg • New London

“Banking with a focus on YOU.”

GAMING | HOTEL | RV PARK CONVENTION CENTER | RESTAURANTS TAP HOUSE | ROOFTOP PATIO

www.prairiesedgecasino.com | Granite Falls, Minnesota

HONORING OUR HEROES

D12 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

For more on ‘The Forgotten War’ see today’s issue of the West Central Tribune.

Larry Doyle

Uprooted to serve ‘The Forgotten War’ June 1950 - July 1953

By Rand Middleton Willmar he Korean War played out in the background during a boomtime. Suburbs, television, teens with spending money, growing leisure time and on the downside the scourge of polio and the Cold War. All this was a radical change from the dark days of the depression followed by the shared sacrifice of World War II, still fresh of mind.

Still, to many households Korea would become quite real.

Young men ages 18 to 28 were drafted, others were recalled

T

and some enlisted. The sudden shift from Main Street to the military could be life changing, if not fatal.

Far from ignoring the distant strife, the West Central Daily Tribune bannered wire service articles, maps and photos. The inside pages carried little nuggets on the coming and goings of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Sadly, at times, the news was of grave injury and death.

By comparison, Minnesota was tropical compared to the rugged mountains of Korean Peninsula. Impossibly remote to most Americans, it is where

the U.S. under President Harry Truman determined to make the first stand of the Cold War against communist expansion.

Five million would die, many of them civilians. U.S. war casualties were put at 40,000 dead, 100,000 wounded, by the time three years of struggle ended in a standoff.

“All through history, free men have had to fight the wrong war in the wrong place.

But that’s what we are stuck with.” Admiral George Tarrant speaking to disgruntled navy pilot Harry Brubaker, in “The Bridges at Toko-Ri,” a 1953 novel by James Mischner.

A

rmy Warrant Officer, Larry R. Doyle, 25, was killed in action on December 29, 1968, in South Vietnam, Quang Nam. Larry was a helicopter pilot and veteran of 18 months service and had been in Vietnam six months. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Air Medal with “V” device and five clusters for heroism. He was cited for flying his armed helicopter at repeated low levels and making rocket attacks on enemy emplacements. Larry was a 1960 graduate of New London-Spicer and attended Augsburg College. He served as a 062B and attained the rank of WO/W1. You can find Larry honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 32E, Row 92.

To Our Veterans

We are Grateful for Your Service!

Todd and Jeff Paffrath

320-235-1682 Kandi Mall Willmar, MN

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS!

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

VERNON PORTER AIR FORCE

HONORING OUR HEROES

PAUL RAMPAART US NAVY EN-3

PETER RAMPAART US ARMY MAJOR

ROBERT RIPLEY ARMY

LAWRENCE SCHMIDT

SSG GREGORY C. SCHMIT US ARMY E-6

SGT. JOSHUA A SCHMIT US ARMY E-5 KIA IRAQ 4/14/07

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D13

MELVIN ROONEY

NNNNNNNN

It is our pleasure and our privilege to serve and salute our local veterans. To the men and women in our community and around the country who have sacrificed to protect our freedom, we thank you greatly for your service. Happy Veterans Day!

101 South 1st Street, Suite 50 Montevideo, MN 56265 P: 320-269-7889 F: 320-269-3220

THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. WE HONOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. WWW.WCSTEEL.COM

NNNNNNNN

D14 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

RICHARD SCHROEDER ARMY

HONORING OUR HEROES

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

JUDY SCHULTZ AIR FORCE & ARMY SERGEANT

ALEC SCOFIELD ARMY RESERVES SPECIALIST ALEC IS A 2013 LITCHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND A 2018 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GRADUATE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE. HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE U.S ARMY RESERVE 644TH BRIGADE RSG OUT OF FORT SNELLING.

LYLE SIMENSON NAVY AIR LYLE SHOWN ON MIDWAY ISLAND. LYLE WAS A CREW MEMBER ON P.5.M MARLIN SEAPLANE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Willmar, MN 320.235.1777 800.450.1771 www.agcountry.com

Happy Veterans Day Home of the free, because of the brave!

WALLY SJOGREN

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Atwater - Spicer - Sunburg - Willmar 700 Becker Ave SW | Willmar, MN 56201 | www.petersonbrothers.com | (320) 235-1651

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

HONORING OUR HEROES

Ron Mackedanz R

on Mackedanz served in the US Army from May of 1968 until May of 1970. He went to Fort Campbell, KY, for basic training, and then to Fort Lewis, WA, for Advanced Infantry Training.

Ron served in Vietnam for one full year with the 1st Infantry Divisions, 16th Infantry Regiment. Wounded in action twice.

Ron received two Purple Hearts, the Army Commen-

dation Medal and the combat Infantryman Badge during his yearlong combat duty.

Five years ago, Ron was awarded the Silver Star for Valor in combat actions which took place on August 12, 1969.

Ron remains active, working with and for other veterans. Helping them to navigate their way through the often difficult VA system.

Ron served as Ride Captain with the MN Patriot Guard

for three years, escorting several of our area servicemen and women home from their deplyments and several fallen servicemen and women to their final resting place.

Ron has authored and published a book about his Vietnam experience entitled “Drafted: Greetings - You Have Been Selected By Your Friends and Neighbors.”

Books may be purchased directly from Ron.

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D15

D16 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

CLIFFORD SMITH ARMY KOREA

HONORING OUR HEROES

ERIK SORENSON AIR FORCE

ELWOOD SORENSON NAVY AND ARMY

ADAM STALEY, SSG U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

CLYDE STREGE ARMY NAT. GUARD

RAYMOND SUTTON MARINES

WALTON J. SWART ARMY SPEC 4

THANK YOU, VETERANS AND YOUR FAMILIES

for your sacrifices and courage

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

ALAN STALEY, SFC U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

JOHN TEBRAKE ARMY

HONORING OUR HEROES

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D17

PETER “ANDREW” TENSEN US ARMY PFC

GERALD THIELKE ARMY

DOUGLAS PAUL THOMPSON NAVY E4

LEROY TURBES ARMY KOREA

MARVIN TURNIPSEED

JAMES TURNER II WITH PRECIOUS USMC

ELMO TORKELSON ARMY

Saluting Our Service Men and Women!

Sacred Heart, MN 320-765-2268 A manufacturer of small paint & wallpaper tools. Also featuring Bulldog Lighting.

Renville, MN 320-329-3663

Honoring

and

Saluting

our

HeroeS

Happy Veterans Day!

HONORING OUR HEROES

D18 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

IVAN UNDERLAND ARMY CORP.

DALE VONDERHARR US AIR FORCE

LEO VONDERHARR US ARMY

DENNIS VONDERHARR US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

PAUL WEARDA ARMY

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

DOUG VONDERHARR US AIR FORCE

BRIAN WITTMAN ARMY SP4 229TH SIGNAL CO. PIRMASENS, GERMANY

JULIE (VONDERHARR) ASMUS US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

CURTIS WOOD AIR FORCE

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

HONORING OUR HEROES

Wednesday, November 11, 2020 D19

Prologue from ‘Corpsman Bullets and Bandages’

By Dell Allen orty-eight years ago on a day in May. I returned to my family from the Republic of South Vietnam.

I also returned to antiwar protesters walking in the streets and on college campuses. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen bought the freedom for them to voice their opposition to the conflict in Vietnam. Veterans either melted into society or displayed the slogan of the day AMERICA – LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT High School buddies were still driving up and down main street, USA looking for a little “action.”

There was a sense of urgency.

Life had nearly passed me by.

I felt I was living on borrowed time and there was no time to waste.

I returned to a Human Resources Director who had graduated from college with military draft deferments.

“What are your qualifications young man?”

“Well, I can treat diarrhea and gonorrhea, give injections, cure

F

so many around me did not.

Will the decisions I make in BJERKETVEDT life, when I have more than one option, be the right path USN/USMC to follow?

E-4 Corpsman Please tell me it doesn’t Pen Name: really matter.

Dell Allen My son asked me if I kept a journal about my experiences while I was attached to the 1st Marine Division. infections, save lives and take I had not. lives, hand out salt pills, cook I could have said diaries were ham & mothers in a can and for school girls, but the truth sterilize your water with iodine is, I never gave it a thought. so you don’t get the squirts.”

I did not perceive my service “Sorry. We’ll be sure to call along with my father’s legacy when we have another war. “ may interest future generations I returned with a maturity of sons and/or daughters. that is gained by being exposed The process began slowly. to the dynamics of life and Uncovering the past has its death. The average Third World consequences and I did not family lived day to day in huts know what they might be. That with dirt floors. The plight of part of my life had already been Mama-sans and baby-sans who reconciled and the wounds had would treasure everything we finally healed. Was picking at as Americans tend to complain the scab all that necessary? about on a daily basis.

Hesitation evolved into Destiny became my friend. an endeavor.

I had an ambition to get on The following events are with life. Destiny also became true to the best of my memmy demon and the demon’s ory, how I felt at the time, name was guilt. There must be and my interpretation now of those experiences. a reason I had survived when

VERDELL



Some I served with are not as vivid as they once were and some names have been changed to protect their privacy, or have faded over time.

As a Navy Hospital Corpsman attached to the Fleet Marine Force, I could only hope I would serve them well. I will always remember the Marines who gave their last full measure of devotion.

They will remain forever young.

Dell served as a Navy Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman. He served with Alpha Company, First Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, during the VietNam Conflict.

Spicer 320-796-2169 Raymond 320-967-4241 Willmar 320-214-3952 Litchfield 320-693-7908 Pennock 320-599-4252

www.pioneer-heritage.com

D20 Wednesday, November 11, 2020

HONORING OUR HEROES

West Central Tribune — Willmar, Minn.

Honoring And Saluting our Heroes

Happy Veterans Day! THE KANDIYOHI COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE Dedicated to keeping our communities a safe place to live.

PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES: COVID-19 DISASTER RELIEF GRANT A one time grant of $1,000 A veteran, or the surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a deceased veteran that have been negatively financially impacted by COVID-19.

COVID-19 K-12 DISTANCE LEARNING SUPPORT GRANT A one time grant of $3,000 A veteran, or the surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a deceased veteran Distance Learning Support Grant must demonstrate a negative financial impact on or after August 1, 2020. A closing date for the K-12 Distance Learning Support Grant will depend on the availability of funding, but not later than June 30, 2021.

For more information on these programs contact: The Kandiyohi County Veterans Office at 320-231-6226 To find your County Veterans Service Office call 1-888-Linkvet You can also apply at: http://minnesotaveteran.org/CovidRelief