Tag Archives: Stories from Veterans
Buys Was in Vietnam During The Tet Offensive
Pictured: LeRoy received these three medals and a plaque for his service By Jill Fennema – LeRoy Buys enlisted in the United States Army when he was 20 years old. He signed up to be a clerk/typist in 1965, during the
Achterhoff Built Runways in England
James Achterhoff was drafted in the United States Army when he was just barely 20 years old. His parents farmed near Hardwick and he had graduated two years earlier from Luverne High School. He had three sisters and no one
Baker Follows Path to Germany
Gary Baker learned at a young age that sometimes we don’t get what we hope for, but in the end, what we do get is better for us in the long run. Gary graduated from high school in 1965. Early
Brands Built Roads In Thailand
Pictured: Ron Brands built roads in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He is pictured here at Main Street Printers where he is the manager and press operator. By Jill Fennema – Ron Brands was drafted at the age of 19.
Freedom Isn’t Free: Feikema Fought In Vietnam for Nearly a Year
John Brent Feikema was born to Frank and Irene Feikema in 1949. With several family members sharing the name John, he was known as Brent. Frank and Irene farmed near Leota. They had four children: Brent, Mary Beth, Milo, and
Ruiter Had 40-Year Military Career
By Jill Fennema – Dick Ruiter of Leota spent 40 years serving in the South Dakota Air National Guard (SDANG). He served from 1958 to 1999. He joined the SDANG in January 1958 with his friend, Ron Pronk. They were
Talsma Served in the Navy Seabees
Ray Talsma served in Vietnam as a member of the United States Naval Construction Battalion, or the Seabees. The name Seabees is a shortened form of “Construction Battalion” or “CB’s,” which became the Seabees. Ray’s draft number was 39, so
Talsma Helped Supply Ships in the Navy
Glen Talsma graduated from Southwest MN Christian High School in May 1968. A lottery drawing – the first since 1942 – was held on December 1, 1969, at Selective Service National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This event determined the order
Schelhaas Made the Best of his Time in the Army
By Jill Fennema – Rolland Schelhaas was born to Albert and Jennie Schelhaas on Dec. 31, 1936. He was the third of four children. When he was 22 years old, Rolland, or Rolly as his friends called him, volunteered for
Paul Ward Worked in Air Force Communications
I was born near Harlan, Indiana, on October 8, 1938. My parents were Harris Lloyd Ward and Gladys Grace (Clark) Ward. My family originally came from the Grey Eagle area of Minnesota, which is towards the middle of the state.
