Where did you serve and what did you do?

I served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam in the Pleiku area 1969 – 1970. I was in the 4th Infantry Division, Troop D, 1/10 Air Calvary. I was a Crew Chief for the Cobra Helicopter Gunship and was responsible for daily maintenance and armament. Occasionally I was called to duty as co-pilot and gunner. This is how I was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device while flying on a night mission.

How are you Still Serving?

I am a proud member of Hartford, WI VFW Post 8834. I spent several years serving as Post Adjutant and was on the House Committee when we owned a building. I served as Post Commander eight of the last ten years and was Commander when our post earned All-State status during the 2022 – 2023 VFW year. I have been serving as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Department of Wisconsin for several years and also serve as District Six Chair for Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy. I am also a member of American Legion Post 19 in Hartford and the local United Vietnam Veterans (UVV) of Hartford. I currently functions as Chief of Staff for Post 8834. I coordinate and set up all of our monthly meetings at the space we lease. He has been doing this for years. Since we do not own our meeting space, we have to transport and set up/take down quite a bit of equipment at our meeting space each month. As one might expect, this is a large logistical undertaking and I take it upon myself to make sure everything is thoroughly coordinated. My wife and I also cook and serve the annual St. Patrick’s Day meal at our March meeting and it is well received by our membership. In Hartford, our three Veteran Service Organizations (VFW, American Legion, and United Vietnam Veterans) combine to form a joint Honor Guard. I am in charge of the Honor Guard. I receive notice when the Honor Guard is requested to perform military honors for a fellow veteran’s funeral. Once the request is received, I take care of notifying members of the Honor Guard, determining how many members will be at the funeral, what each member will be doing and coordinate the transportation of flags, harnesses, ammunition, and weapons. I have been acting in this capacity for the past eight years. As Honor Guard Coordinator, I also take the lead organizing the annual Memorial Day Parade/Program at Sawyer Park and 9/11 ceremony held at our local fire department. These events are well attended by the public and involve not only the local veteran service organizations, but our local fire and police departments as well. I also ensure that the Honor Guard proudly leads the annual Fourth of July Parade in Hartford. Post 8834 used to have a proud tradition of displaying flags along the entire street in front of the VFW building. This became known as the “Avenue of Flags”. Flags were displayed for Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day (9/11), POW/MIA Recognition Day, and Veterans Day. After selling the building, we needed a place to continue to display the Avenue of Flags on these prominent patriotic days. I spearheaded an effort to display the flags in one of our local parks. After meeting with city officials it was agreed that we could use the park for the display. Flag pole holes were dug and eventually a shed was erected to store the flags. Currently we display approximately 100 flags in the park. Our community gets to enjoy the display while honoring and remembering prominent patriotic days throughout the year. On an annual basis I am often interviewed by our local radio station regarding what is going on with the Avenue of Flags. This helps educate the community on why the flags are being displayed and why it is important to recognize each day that they are displayed. I continue to coordinate the putting up and taking down of the flags by getting all three veterans service organizations involved. I invite members of the public and other organizations like the scouts and police/fire departments to help with the effort. Annually, Post 8834 hosts two special events for veterans and their families. In July we host a Veterans and Families Appreciation Picnic where we serve a meal and organize games and activities for local veterans and their families. On Veterans Day, we co-host a dinner for local veterans and their families along with the Legion and UVV. I was an integral part of establishing these two popular events and continue to organize and help with them on an annual basis. I also make it a point to serve members of the Hartford and Washington County communities in other ways. I am very active with St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Hartford. I serve as an usher for the parish and also on the Cleaning and Good Samaritan Committees. I also set up and clean up for the monthly Hartford Community Lunch and volunteer setting up and taking down tables and chairs at the Hartford Senior Center. I also volunteer as a driver for Interfaith Caregivers of Washington County. I use my own handicap accessible van to help seniors who are in need of transportation.

Why do you do it?

I try hard to be positive influence in the Hartford Area Veteran Community. I want to be helpful to my fellow veterans and the community at large. I care deeply for other human beings which is part of my faith. It is my distinct honor and privilege to be called a veteran and I try to live up to that honor.