Where did you serve and what did you do?

Born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin, I was drafted into the Army on May 12, 1966, and completed his 8 weeks of Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, earning the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. I then completed Advanced Infantry Training (AIT) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Upon completion of AIT, I was deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam for combat duty and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. I served “in country” for one year, completing numerous combat operations, earning an Air Medal. After returning stateside, I was transferred to Fort Ord, California, with the 41st Infantry Division prior to my discharge on May 10, 1968. I was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 4. Following discharge, I spent 4 years in inactive reserve. In addition to receiving the Air Medal, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Meda

How are you Still Serving?

During the past year, I have spearheaded the purchasing and delivery of approximately 1785 pounds of non-perishable food in 2024 and approximately 580 pounds so far in 2025, for the Veteran’s living at the Tiny Homes Veteran’s Outreach in Racine, WI. I also prepared and submitted grant applications totaling $2000.00 from local corporations which has been donated to the Tiny Homes Veteran’s Outreach in Racine, WI. I assists, monthly, with running Bingo at “Robins Way”, a local Nursing Home, and I help coordinate the purchasing, and distribution, of 135 Christmas Gift bags filled with socks, facial tissues, paper towel, toilet paper, tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, pens and writing material, as part of my Post’s annual Christmas gift bags for Veterans in local Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, and at the Tiny Homes Veteran’s Outreach Center. I assisted in the collection and delivery of new toys in support of the annual USMC Reserve Toys for Tots campaign, and assist in performing Honor Guard ceremonies. For my Post’s VFW Day of Service, I helped cook and serve lunch to the Veterans living in the Tiny Homes in Racine, WI.

Why do you do it?

I believe in the ethos of “No Man Left Behind”! I feel this is something which is inherent in all who serve or have served. I consider it an honor to meet and talk with fellow Veterans and finds it truly humbling when I gets the chance to meet and talk with World War II and Korean Veterans, who are living in Nursing homes, as they are always glad to shake a Comrade’s hand and reminisce about their time in the service. In 2016, when I stopped at the Post’s table during a Poppy Drive table and struck up a conversation with the Post members. It was during this conversation that I was asked if I would like to join our VFW Post, which I happily agreed to, and I have been actively helping Veterans ever since!