Tag Archives: Stories from Veterans
Schelhaas Was a Wireman on The Front Lines of Korean War
By Jill Fennema – Lloyd Schelhaas was born to Hannah and Bert Schelhaas of Edgerton on December 24, 1930. His father passed away when Lloyd was four years old. His mother later remarried Harm Eckoff. In February of 1952, the
Huisken Saw The World As A Navy Electrician
Jim Huisken, one of the nine children of Bill and Jessie Huisken, served in the navy inactive reserves from September 1966 to February 1967. He was in active duty from February 1, 1967, to December 1, 1970. Here is his
Arp Joined Air Guard Right Out Of High School
By Jill Fennema – Greg Arp made the decision to join the military when he was still a young man, before he even graduated high school. His grandpa, Dick Ruiter had served in the Air Guard for 41 years. He was
Abbink worked on HAWK missiles in Vietnam
Pictured: Former Edgerton resident and Vietnam veteran Ron Abbink. By Jill Fennema – Ron Abbink received his draft notice in September 1965. He was dating Gail Ebsen, whom he had met at the Hiawatha Roller Rink in Pipestone. After graduating
After A year In Vietnam, Vander Lugt suffered with Bubonic Plague
On February 5, 1969, Les Vander Lugt enlisted in the United States Army. He was 20 years old, one of six children born to Pete and Margaret Vander Lugt of rural Chandler. Les enlisted after going to Dordt College for
Suffering Through The Navy Helps Pastor Atsma Serve His Flock
Pictured: Pastor Seth Atsma and his wife Jennifer and daughter Anika. Seth served in the United States Navy for 8 years. Pastor Seth Atsma, who has been serving the Chandler Reformed Church for the past 3 years, is also a
Busman Studied Everything From The Ocean Floor To Solar Storms
By Jill Fennema – John Busman’s military experience really had nothing to do with war and everything to do with engineering and data collection. John graduated from the Chandler High School in 1965. He went on to South Dakota State
Menning Saw The World From A Navy Destroyer
By Jill Fennema – Victor Menning graduated from Edgerton Public School in 1980. “Everyone said I should go to college, so I did,” he said. He really didn’t like school, but he went to college at Northwestern College in Orange
Van Dam Served At Naval Base In California
Pictured: Marv Van Dam worked in the bake shop and the yeoman’s office while in the navy. By Jill Fennema – Marv Van Dam, the son of Henry and Eva (Van Ruler) Van Dam, received his draft notice in October
DeJongh Served At Sea
Pictured: LaVonne and Virg De Jongh were married in the midst of Virg’s years in the navy. They are pictured here at their graddaughter’s wedding. By Jill Fennema – We have told our readers about a group of young boys
