Vietnam Veterans Honored and Thanked
As their guests arrived, they were asked them to sign in. A buffet brunch and coffee was followed by the program.
The program was opened by Color Guards of the American Legion Timpe Post 23: Dennis Perry, Gene Fales, and Clifford Phipps. The entire group then sang the Star-Spangled Banner and was led in prayer by Ladies of the Lake incoming Regent Mary Thunhorst. DAR chairman for the event, Collette Travis, welcomed the group and had all the veterans stand and be recognized with a round of applause. Member Karlene Noteboom followed with the singing of "This Land Is My Land," and the audience joined in for the chorus.
Regent Colleen Lemkuil read President Obama's proclamation recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and Mary Thunhorst presented the Commemoration Objectives.The first and foremost objective of five is: "To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans."
Collette Travis was privileged to individually thank each veteran on behalf of our nation for their service and for the sacrifices they made and also their family. Each veteran was called by name, presented with a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin and a certificate, The lapel pin is reserved for all U.S. veterans who served on active duty from 1 November 1955 to 15 May 1975, regardless of location. Each veteran then cited his branch of service and rank, and many spoke of those who did not return home, having given their lives for our country.
Denny Pohlman of Lake Park said, "I served in the Air Force training F-4 pilots to support the infantry in Vietnam. My job in communications maintenance required security clearance for many instructions of importance passed through our hands."
"Today was almost an anniversary for me," commented George Engebretson from Arnolds Park. "On June 3 I got on a bus in Storm Lake and by mid-October I was headed to Vietnam."
The Sioux County Veterans Affairs Commission Chairman Roger Johnson from Hawarden, a Vietnam Veteran himself, said, "Helping veterans in my capacity is an honor, and it has allowed me to attend a number of celebrations comparable to today's which was very well done and appreciated."
Next Dickinson County Veterans Affairs Commission Chairman Ann Miller spoke briefly of her amazement of the atrocities faced by Vietnam Veterans. She spoke of the lessons in tolerance learned by serving with diverse cultures, and the music of the era that reflected the feelings of the people such as "The Green, Green Grass of Home" and the No. 1 hit, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place." This was indeed a challenging period of American history.
Door prizes were given to many by Sharon Kay Wilson Godfrey. Collette recognized the generous brunch donations from area stores and members.
Following the brunch those who wished had the opportunity to tour the Winchester Store Restoration at the home of David and Jane Kruse in Arthur Heights.
Roll of Honor‐Those attending
| Darrell Aldrich | Army | Urbandale |
| Tom Arends | Air Force | Milford |
| Larry Bloses | Air Force | Pleasant Hill |
| Jim Bonsall | Air Force | Spirit Lake |
| Ron Baack | Air Force | Okoboji |
| John Calsbeck | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Tom Crumlett | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Merle Dodds | Navy | Milford |
| Ron Edmunds | Army | Arnolds Park |
| Robert Eilers | Marines | Milford |
| George Engebretson | Air Force | Arnolds Park |
| Eugene Fales | Marines | Spirit Lake |
| Roger Falk | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Fred Grein | Army | Sheldon |
| Jerry Hagberg | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Vern Hammerstrom | Army | Okoboji |
| Terry Heidebrink | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Donald Hill (d.) | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Rodney Heimensen | Army | Arnolds Park |
| Roger Heimensen | Army | Arnolds Park |
| Roger Johnson | Army | Hawarden |
| Wayne Johnson | Army | Milford |
| Bill Kersting | Army | Spencer |
| Danny Klein (d.) | Marines | Spirit Lake |
| Ron Kooima | Navy | Sheldon |
| Harlan Kuyper | Army | Sheldon |
| Tom Lynn (d.) | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Monte Molitor | Army | Sibley |
| Lon Noble | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Larry Olson | Air Force | Spirit Lake |
| Clayton Pavelko | Army | Lakefield, MN |
| Denny Perry | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Doug Pfeil | Navy | Armstrong |
| Eugene Phipps | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Gerald Phipps | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Dennis Puhrman | Air Force | Lake Park |
| Lowell Rogne | Marines | Twin Hills |
| Darvin Rusche | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Max Sheley | Navy | Milford |
| Virgil Solsma | Army | Arnolds Park |
| Bob Travis | Navy | Spirit Lake |
| Robert Tiedeman | Army | Sibley |
| Richard Thurnhorst (d.) | Army | Okoboji |
| Dennis Trei | Army | Okoboji |
| Michael Wattier | Army | Spirit Lake |
| Ray Wilson | Marines | Clive |
| Ken VanWyk | Army | Milford |
