Tag Archives: Stories from Veterans
Welgraven Did Two Tours As A Marine
Pictured: Marine Sergeant Kory Welgraven in Africa. By Jill Fennema – This past summer we featured Kaylib Welgraven, who grew up in Chandler. Kaylib’s brother Kory, was also a marine. Their parents are Dennis and Roberta Welgraven of Chandler, and
Remembering Veteran Clifford Peterson
Clifford H. Peterson was a small-town grocer who lived in Edgerton. He was 26 years old in August of 1918 when he joined the United States Army and went to Europe to fight in World War I. He kept a
Schuld Served in Desert Storm
Pictured: Darwin Schuld with some of his awards and commendation certificates By Jill Fennema – Darwin Schuld, son of Dorland and Shirley Schuld, graduated from Edgerton Public High School in 1983. Prior to this, Darwin had been working on the
Vander Top Served as an MP
By Jill Fennema – Loren Vander Top received his draft number notice while he was a senior in college. He was studying agricultural education at the University of Minnesota. He graduated that spring and in the fall began teaching vocational
Zylstra Lived Under Nazi Occupation Before Serving In Korea
Our readers may not be familiar with Haye Zylstra. He moved to the area a few years ago when he married Louisa De Boer of Leota. Both Haye and Louisa lost their first spouses and met in Mesa, Arizona, where
Talsma Served In Iraq
Joel Talsma served in the Army National Guard for six years. His years of service included a ten and a half-month trip to Iraq in 2006-07. Joel is a son of Glen and Marcia Talsma. He grew up near Chandler
Vis Served As a Clerk For The US Marine Corp
Jim Vis, a son of Pete and Alice Vis of Chandler, was drafted into the USMC after college. Jim Vis is a retired school teacher. This is his story of his service during the Vietnam War in his own words.
Kooiman Was Stationed On A Nuclear Sub During The Cold War
Don Kooiman was the third son born to Bernard and Henrietta Kooiman of Chandler. His family moved to Chandler when he was in kindergarten. He was in the first kindergarten class at Chandler Christian School. Don’s older brother Dennis was
Welgraven Was Stationed in Japan When 2011 Tsunami Hit
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude (Mw) 9.1 earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Honshu on the Japan Trench. A tsunami that was generated by the earthquake arrived at the coast within 30 minutes, overtopping seawalls and disabling three
Lubben Spent Time in Japan and Poland
Pictured: Chad Lubben in front of the Lobo – the base mascot – before his flight in an F16 fighter jet. (Submitted photo) Chad Lubben is one of the youngest veterans we have featured in this series of articles on
