Veteran's Section 2014

8/10/2019 Veteran's Section 2014

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Thank you for your service

An Assisted Living Community108 Wildwood Drive (just off Sunnyside Drive)

A program of Baruch S enior Ministries, a non-profit organization

Call today for a tour or more information

231-775-7750

Chris EastwaySenior Airman, 1994-1998~ Basic Training- Lackland

Airforce Base in Texas.

Stationed at ElmendorfAirforce Base in AnchorageAlaska and in Denver,Colorado, DSAS-DE.

Rick CurtisU.S. Army, Basic

Training - May 1975,Ft.Leonardwood, MO

Camp Casey, Korea

Dec. 1975-1977,Ft. Bragg, NC 1977-

1978 2nd Infantry Div.

Ken KochU.S. Army, 1/32 Armor

M1 Tank Mechanic

Ft. Hood, TXDessert Storm Vet

Served from 1987-1991

John LevequeArmy

September 1969-January, 1970

(Medical Discharge_Fort Knox, Kentucky

Kent AltmanU.S. Navy

U.S.S. Saratoga CV-60Mayport, FL

Served 1984-1987Aviation Ordnance

Thank youVeterans!

WelcomeHome!

Sons of theAmerican Legion

Quadron 94

sincerest thanksto all of our servicemen and women, bothpast and present, who have given their all

in defense of our great nation.We salute your

valor & dedication!

Craig SimontonU.S. Army, 1970-197311th Armored Cav.

Tank Gunner Spec 4

Based in Ft. Ord, California

Vietnam War 1970-71

Bronze Star

THE ORIGIN OFVETERANS DAY

In 1921, an unknown WorldWar I American soldierwas buried in Arlington NationalCemetery. This site, on a hillsideoverlooking the Potomac River andthe city of Washington, becamethe focal point of reverence forAmericas veterans.

Similar ceremonies occurred ear-lier in England and France, wherean unknown soldier was buried ineach nations highest place of honor

(in England, Westminster Abbey; inFrance, the Arc de Triumph). Thesememorial gestures all took placeon November 11, giving universalrecognition to the celebrated end-ing of World War I ghting at 11a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11thhour of the 11th day of the 11thmonth). The day became known asArmistice Day.

Armistice Day ofcially received itsname in America in 1926 through aCongressional resolution. It becamea national holiday 12 years laterby similar Congressional action. Ifthe idealistic hope had been real-ized that World War I was theWar to end all Wars, November11 might still be called ArmisticeDay. But only a few years after theholiday was proclaimed, war broke

out in Europe. Sixteen and one-halfmillion Americans took part. Fourhundred seven thousand of them

died in service, more than 292,000in battle.

Armistice Day ChangedTo Honor All Veterans

Realizing that peace was equallypreserved by veterans of WW II andKorea, Congress was requested tomake this day an occasion to honorthose who have served Americain all wars. In 1954 PresidentEisenhower signed a bill proclaim-ing November 11 as Veterans Day.

On Memorial Day 1958, two moreunidentied American war deadwere brought from overseas andinterred in the plaza beside theunknown soldier of World War I.One was killed in World War II, theother in the Korean War. In 1973,a law passed providing intermentof an unknown American fromthe Vietnam War, but none wasfound for several years. In 1984,

an unknown serviceman from thatconict was placed alongside theothers. To honor these men, sym-bolic of all Americans who gavetheir lives in all wars, an Armyhonor guard, The 3rd U.S. Infantry(The Old Guard), keeps day andnight vigil.

A law passed in 1968 changedthe national commemoration of

Veterans Day to the fourth Mondayin October. It soon became appar-ent, however, that November 11

was a date of historic signicance tomany Americans.

Therefore, in 1978 Congressreturned the observance to its tra-ditional date.

National CeremoniesHeld at Arlington

The focal point for ofcial, nation-al ceremonies for Veterans Day con-tinues to be the memorial amphi-theater built around the Tombof the Unknowns. At 11 a.m. on

November 11, a combined colorguard representing all military ser-vices executes "Present Arms" atthe tomb. The nations tribute toits war dead is symbolized by thelaying of a presidential wreath. Thebugler plays Taps. The rest of theceremony takes place in the amphi-theater.

Every year the President of theUnited States urges all Americans

to honor the commitment of ourveterans through appropriate pub-lic ceremonies.

NewsC A D I L L A C

Trusted. Local. Connected.

VETERANSDAYMONDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2014

A Special Supplement to Cadillac NewsSALUTING OUR SOLDIERS


2/8

On Veterans Day, we remember the brave men & womenwho fough t to pro tec t our coun tr ys fre edoms

at home & overseas.

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As our Armed Forces fight to protect our freedom abroad,were reminded of the sacrifice made by so many brave

soldiers before them.On Veterans Day, we pause to recognize and thank all

of the veterans who have served our country. We areeternally grateful for their dedication and service.

Honoring OurBrave Veterans

As our Armed Forces fight to protect our freedomabroad, were reminded of the sacrifice made by somany brave soldiers before them. On Veterans Day,we pause to recognize and thank all of the veterans

who have served our country. We are eternallygrateful for their dedication and service.

Honoring Our

BraveVeterans

Honoring Our

BraveVeterans

BREIDENSTEIN OIL& AUTO SERVICE, INC.

502 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac(231) 775-3371

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We honor and give thanks to allveterans who served and sacrificed

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Our Veterans,Our Heroes

Its time to honor the brave soldierswho safeguard our peace and freedoms.

Thanks, veterans.

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Thank youto all those who have served.

V2 CADILLAC NEWS | TRUSTED. LOCAL. CONNECTED 775-NEWS (6397) www.cadillacnews.com | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014

BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

CADILLAC WilliamMcVety, 90, served in WorldWar II, Korea and Viet-nam. He agreed to sharememories of his 20 years

of military service.I never earned a PurpleHeart, he said. I waslucky I didnt get touched,not even a little scratch.

The good Lord was watch-ing out for me.

He was drafted in 1943,placed with the 32nd In-fantry Division and sentto fight the Japanese dur-ing the liberation of thePhilippines. When he ar-

rived, he joined the Battleof Leyte, where he saidprogress was very slow,the trail was very danger-ous.

McVety noted that it washis division that capturedGeneral Tomoyuki Ya-mashita, who surrenderedon Sept. 2, 1945.

General Yamashita isthe man who ran MacAr-thur out of the Philip-

pines, McVety explained.When he was taken, noneof us were there to witnessthis, it was done quietly. Hewas shipped immediately

to Manila and he was triedand hanged. He didnt go totrial after the war like therest of the generals. Ma-cArthur made short workof him.

On Oct. 9, 1945, the 32ndleft Luzon for Sasebo, Ja-pan for occupation dutyafter the Japanese surren-dered.

When we landed inJapan, it wasnt what Iexpected, he said. We

set up police patrols incase things might erupt,but the public was docileand living under extremeconditions. They had beenbombed so much. It waspitiful to see the way theywere living.

McVety left Japan in Jan-uary of 1946 and was dis-charged. But after growingup on a farm in MissaukeeCounty, he enjoyed themilitary, the camaraderieand the chance to travel.In 1949, he re-enlisted andwas assigned to the 11th

Airborne Division, signalcompany for four years,with one year in Korea.

We stayed in combatready maneuvers, heexplained. We drew firein Korea a few times butthere werent many inju-ries to speak of.

One of his favorite as-signments was duringthe Cold War with the 833Signal Corps in Fontaine-bleu, France. He served ascommunications chief atNATO headquarters forcentral Europe with top

secret clearance, living inParis for four years.

In 1965, McVety wasreassigned with the FirstInfantry Division.

We were the first U.S.Army troops to land inVietnam, he recalled. Twoweeks after they landed,combat operations began.By the end of the year, thedivision had been in threemajor operations.

We were harassed atnight and mortared, herecalled. The area wascontrolled by Viet Cong.

We spent all this time inthat jungle, we got shelledseveral times pretty bad.

One night, an 8 mm mor-tar landed just a few yardsfrom his tent.

I heard them coming,I rolled off my cot, sev-eral mortars landed rightaround my tent. We justgot clobbered somethingterrible, he said. Mytent had so many holes init, like the stars in the skyfrom all that stuff that flewfrom the mortars. A lot ofguys went to the hospital

that night and were evacu-ated and never came back,they were sent home.

After he retired fromthe military in 1967, hevisited friends in Flintand was hired by the citysparks and recreation de-partment. For 18 years heenjoyed the outdoor work.A self-described rockhound, McVety taughthimself gemology and wonawards for his gem cut-ting skills. For 17 years, hespent winters in Florida.

Now, he lives in Cadillac

near his nephew, Randy,and his wife, MelissaMiles.

rea veteran served during three wars

MARDI SUHS | CADILLAC NEWS

William McVety dug this mortar out of the ground near his tent in Vietnam. He said they took heavyfire every night.

MARDI SUHS | CADILLAC NEWSWorld War II veteran William McVety also had tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. Here McVety visitsThe Three Soldiers bronze statue that compliments the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,D.C.


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400 Hobart Street

Cadillac, MI 49601

(231) 876-7200

They are our family, friends andneighbors; everyday citizens, yet so

much more. They are the brave menand women who have put their lives atrisk to protect and serve our countryin war. Time and again, our countr ys

veterans have been on the front lines indefense of our freedom.

On Veterans Day, we take thisopportunity to say thank you to the

brave souls who have served in battlefor our Armed Forces.

South End Business US-131, Exit 177, Cadillac

www.HighpointAuto.com(231) 775-1222 1-800-828-9852

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Saluting Our VeteransThroughout history, at home and overseas, theyve puttheir love for their country above all else. On VeteransDay, we proudly honor these brave men and women

for their courage, commitment and pariotism.

To all the men and women ofthe U.S. Armed Forces who have

sacrificed so much, we thank youfrom the bottom of our hearts.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2014 | www.cadillacnews.com 775-NEWS (6397) CADILLAC NEWS | TRUSTED. LOCAL. CONNECTED V3

Smith Lumber Co.202 North River, Evart 231-734-5513

We honor the members of ourarmed forces who served andmade the ultimate sacrifice.

Teir courage and dedicationwill always be remembered.

MANTONTIRE &PARTY STORE711 S. Michigan, Manton231-824-3061

We honor ourservice men &

women, past andpresent

We salute our veterans& the hardworking men and

women in armed forces today.

Lee Goodrich, LUTCFwww.lgoodrichinsurance.com

Call Lee at 231-779-79369052 E. 13th St., Suite B, Cadillac, MI 49601

BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

CADILLAC At 93,World War II veteran FredE. Baker has a startlingcharisma.

Hes tall and slim. Whenwe met, he was wearing

his Army Air Corps leath-er bomber jacket with alarge, round patch over theright front a gold eaglein a blue sky surroundedby the words: 22nd BombSquadron, China-Burma-India 1942-1945.

His military issue khakiofficers hat is equally im-pressive.

We met in September,the day before he left onthe Mid-Michigan HonorFlight to Washington, D.C.He was with his volunteerguardian for the trip, vet-eran Matt Magiera, FirstVice Commander of theAmVets Post 110 in Cadil-lac.

Baker splits his timebetween Cadillac and ahome in Lansing, wherefor 37 years he worked forthe Michigan Sheriffs As-sociation, the oldest lawenforcement associationin Michigan.

I worked in every

county in Michigan, heexplained. I representedthe rights of citizens tocontrol law enforcement,to find out what was hap-pening within the countyto maintain the sheriffsdepartment.

Born in St. Johns, Bakerremembered the day thatchanged his life, the bomb-ing of Pearl Harbor, Dec.7, 1941.

I had been out the nightbefore chasing girls, helaughed. All of a suddenthey announced we wereat war. The phone rang im-mediately that morning atmom and dads house.

His best friend called,saying he was going toenlist on Monday, the nextday. Baker said hed go,too. They drove to Lansingand stood in line at theU.S. Post Office. Bakerenlisted in the ArmyAir Corps and his friendjoined the U.S. Navy.

Baker was trained as anaircraft technician andsent to India as part ofthe 22nd BombardmentSquadron. They landedon July 23, 1942, withforward bases in Assam,India. They were operat-ing as part of the 341st

Group, 10th Air Force,with headquarters in NewDelhi. By the end of No-vember, they were movedto Chakulia. Operations

intensified and soon theBombing Eagles wereflying the length andbreadth of northern andcentral Burma, destroy-ing railroad installations,bridges, oil storage areas,factories and supply de-pots. Missions continuedwithout rest through themonsoons. The Squadron,with its B-25s, becameone of the most potent andeffective arms of the oldIndia Task Force.

Our squadron wasmade up of B-25s and we

took care of Burma, hesaid. We bombed Burmato keep the Japanese sup-plies out of the South Pa-cific. We did a good job andthey had to surrender. Wehelped the Chinese people,that was our job. I was atechnician, I could workon any aircraft.

Id also go on bombingmissions, he recalled,noting that in flight, hisjob was flight engineer.These missions werevery dangerous. Hundredsof planes were flyingthrough the Himalayas,because everything else,we couldnt get through.

And then he added, Re-member, 76 percent ofthe people in the air dur-ing that war didnt comehome, they were killed.

Some historians callthe China-Burma-Indiacampaign the forgottencampaign of the warshistory. It took years ofbitter fighting in hellishterrain before the Allies

were able to reclaim theBurma Road, the onlyoverland access to Chinathrough the Himalayason the hairpin mountain

curves of the Burma Road.Looking back, Baker

called himself an adven-turous soul who would doanything.

Ill be 94 in November,he said, quoting the Se-

renity Prayer.God grant me the seren-

ity to accept the things Icannot change; courageto change the things I

can; and wisdom to knowthe difference, he said.Thats where Im at. Iused to hunt and fish butI cant walk in the riversanymore. But I like to helppeople if I can.


A collection of World War II veteran Fred E. Bakers favorite old photographs.


Leaving for Washington, D.C., veteran Matt Magiera and World War II Fred E. Baker say goodbye totheir friends at the AmVets Post 110 in Cadillac.

World War II veteran remembers BurmaWe bombed Burma

to keep the Japanese

supplies out of the

South Pacifc.

Fred BakerWW II veteran

n

Because thememory willlive forever.

Over the past year,

we have had the

privilege of

serving

the families of

many veterans

of foreign wars.

In recognition

of the service

these veterans

rendered to their country, we would like

to show our appreciation this Veterans

Day.

In memory of their lives and their service.

PETERSONFUNERAL HOMES, INC.

The Peterson Chapel205 E. Cass St., Cadillac, MI

Ross C. Meyering, Mgr.

231-775-3411

The McBain Chapel212 E. Maple St., McBain, MIMegan Meyering-Brinks, Mgr.

231-825-2361

BosticksDrugstore

117 W. Main St., Manton(231) 824-6465 Fax (231) 824-6466

[email protected]

Mike Moffit, PharmacistQuality Hometown Care, for a healthier you!


4/8

Thank You Veterans!

142 Main St., Marion (231) 743-9814

Then join hand in hand,brave Americans all!By uniting we standby dividing we fall.

~ John DickinsonWe salute veterans & soldiers!

McBain Auto Service, Inc.9438 Morey Rd.M-66 N. McBain

231-825-2729

North of light on 66near softball diamond

Mon.-Fri. 8-5:30

Home

of the Free,

Thanks to

the Brave!

Locally Made Products407 Goode Ave.,Cadillac 231-876-WOOD (9663)

wexfordwoodworkings.com

Wexford Wood Workings

A Proud Tribute To

Our Veterans

415 Goode Ave.

Cadillac, MI 49601

231-775-0775 Locally Owned & Operated

Vincent E. Goslyn, Jr.

A Salute ToOur Heroes.

Our Veterans.A special thank you toall veterans for your

courage, sacrifice andservice.

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OF CADILLAC5884 E. M-115, CadillacOffice: (231) 779-2515

www.prorealty-cadillac.com

113 N. Roland St., McBain, MI 49657 www.schepers.agency.comPhone 231-825-2411 1-877-251-0727 Fax 231-825-2228

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Belle OakesLiving Center2353 S. LaChance Road Lake City, MI 49651 23 1-779-4671

Esther Nederhood, R.N., Owner www.belleoakes.com

is proud to wish salutations toour wonderful veterans:

James Ream Bert Sisson David Sperow

Ernie Bonham Alfred Cockeram

Ted Agema Paul McGiness Roger Loeks

Raymond Modders Phillip Molitor

Gerald Kelly Dorothy Montgomery

William Varner Morton Henick Lyle Rose

Lloyd Robinson

Thank you from the bottom

of our hearts for your service.

We Salute Our Veterans!

If you served your country honorably - you can be an AmVet.

Veterans Always Welcome!

AmVets Post 110127 W. Cass St., Cadillac 231-775-7433

Remembering OurFallen Heroes

Remembering OurFallen Heroes

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128 N. Main, Evart, MI 734-2551

Honoring The Bestand The Bravest


BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

CADILLAC HelenQuinn was a divorcedmother of two grown chil-dren when a U.S. ArmyReserves recruiter visitedthe medical office where

she was working as anurse.He was there to recruit

the doctor.Gee, she

said. I wouldlove to do thatbut Im prob-ably too old.

Quinn was40. But themilitary caredmore for herexperiencethan her age.She was anR.N. with expe-rience in sur-gery, plus laborand delivery.

I thoughtthey were try-ing to kill me,she laughedrecalling bootcamp. They took us outin the boonies for compasswork and sent you out tofind your way back ... wecouldnt march for beansand we didnt know whatall the insignias meant,she said of the medicalrecruits.

Quinn loved her work in

the reserves. Her unit wasbased in Southfield, andone weekend every monthshe worked and trained inV.A. hospitals throughoutthe country and once inthe Netherlands. In thesummer, she was the chiefnurse at Camp Graylingand ran the infirmary.

In 1991, Operation DesertStorm, the first U.S. ArmyPersian Gulf War started.

More than 500,000 sol-diers and service person-nel were sent to the Gulf,along with 4,000 military

RNs who staffed hospitalships, MASH units and theflight-evacuation teams.

When they startedsending everybody over

to Kuwait to start this bigwar, it hit home, she re-called. They started call-ing all of these reservistsand it got interesting.

Since enlisting, Quinnhas remarried, moved toCadillac and was workingat Mercy Hospital.

By now she was 51.When she received a callto pick up a registered let-ter, she knew it contained

orders.That was

a little scaryfor me, sheadmitted. Butwhen I got myorders, myhusband, Dar-rell, insistedon driving meto report toduty.

Quinn wasassigned toEisenhowerMedical Cen-ter in Augusta,Georgia,to treat thewoundedflown in from

battle.Three shifts of medical

personnel worked aroundthe clock in eight operat-ing suites.

We got fresh shipmentsevery day, she recalled.And every day a generalwent through the wardsand pinned Purple Hearts

on everyone. The newspa-pers were full of reportsof how few died in thiswar, but at the hospital, wewere seeing so many guyscome through there.

It was running well,she said. It was reallybustling and the hospitalwas always full. We treateda lot of burns, that was theworst, and fractures. Inaddition, there were manynoncombat related inju-ries caused by accidents,like road crashes.

Quinn spent two months

nursing the war wounded.She retired from themilitary in 1998 havingachieved the rank of Lieu-tenant Colonel.

Quinn didnt save pho-tos from her time in theservice. But she did makea scrapbook for her hus-band, Darrell, a Vietnamveteran.

It was so bad for themwhen they came home,she said. They wereshunned and looked downon. Darrell came home ona regular flight and didnttell anybody. He walkedin the door and said, Imhome. There was nobodycheering and waving flags,you had to sneak back intothe country.

Quinn is proud of herentire familys militaryservice. Her youngestson served for 20 years inthe U.S. Coast Guard and

another other son servedfour years in the U.S. Ar-my; a grandson served inIraq and another grandsonserved in Afghanistan.

COURTESY PHOTO

Darrelland Helen

Quinn aremilitaryretireesthat enjoytraveling.


Helen Quinn enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves when she was 40 and received orders to serve in Operation Desert Storm at a militaryhospital for war wounded in Augusta, Georgia.

Enlisted at 40, treated Desert Storm casualties at 51

And every

day a general

went through the

wards and pinned

Purple Hearts on

everyone.

Helen Quinn

Retired Lieutenant Colonel

n


5/8

On Veterans Day, weproudly honor these

brave men and women

for their courage,commitment and

patriotism.

Northern Michigan Servicestore6170 W. Blue Rd., Lake City

Corner of M-55 and M-66 231-839-3030

Midtown proudly honorsWWII 10th MountainDivision Veteran,

Lawrence Johnson,and all service men

and women who havesacrificed for our

Countrys FREEDOM!

860 N. Mitchell CADILLAC 775-09107985 Mackinaw Trail, Suite 100, Cadillac

231-779-9550

VernelleCarl T.

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INSURANCE AGENCY223 N. Mitchell, Cadillac

231-775-3469

Thank you to all those whohave served past & present.

Our Sincerest Thanks to All

Who Have Served.

Pizza Plus302 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac

231-775-7727

With Honor and Respectto Our Veterans:

Tey are our family, friends, and neighbors; everyday citizens,yet so much more. Tey are the brave men and women whohave put their lives at risk to protet and serve our country inwar. ime and again, our countrys veterans have been on thefront lines in defense of our freedom. On Veterans Day, wetake this opprotunity to say thank you to the brave souls whohave served in battle for our Armed Forces.

2201 N. Mitchell Street, Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-3453

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Quality is affordable - We only look expensive Call for your appointment today!

On VeteransDayWe recognize the many

sacrifices made by our men

and women in uniform both

today and throughout our

nations history. We honor

their courage and dedication,

and we thank them for their

contribution to our country.

Thank You, Veterans.

231-826-3333 Falmouthwww.ebelsgeneralstore.com

Honoring the Best

& the BravestFor their courage, hard work and dedication

to their country, we salute the men and

women of our Armed Forces past and

present. It is because of their sacrifice that

America remains the land of the free, and

we thank them for protecting our citizens

and our country.

Wishing all of our veterans and

soldiers a ver y happy Veterans Day.

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Thank you to allservice men &

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BY LEITH CUNNINGHAM

OF FIFE LAKE SPECIAL TO THE CADILLAC NEWS

Dedicated to all veterans

of the Korean War

The Forgotten War?Not by me.I remember it like it was

yesterday.

I arrived on Korean soilsoon after the war had be-gun in June of 1950. I wasin a U.S. Army Longshore-man Outfit. We receivedand unloaded ships atPusan as they brought inwar materials, weapons,tanks, trucks, and suppliesof every nature to fight thebrutal, invading, North Ko-rean enemy. We had crewsof ragged South Koreandock workers who workedfor 50 cents for a 12-hourshift. A complete cultureshock to the mind of the18-year-old farm boy that Iwas at the time. They werea humble and subduedpeople, after being underJapanese domination, in-timidation, manipulationand harsh rule for morethan 35 years, then beingset free after World WarII. All I ever saw the dockworkers eat was fish headsand rice that they carriedto work in little tin con-tainers. It always made mewonder where the rest ofthe fish had gone.

The area was filled tooverflowing with displaced

people driven ahead ofthe well-trained, well-equipped invaders, toescape a certain deathfrom the North Koreanenemy. War orphans inPusan were begging onthe streets and fightingeach other for scraps offood we had scraped fromour mess kits into garbagecans. I will never forget thelittle 3- or 4-year-old girlthat I picked up and held,showed her a few min-utes of kindness beforeI put her down and had

to leave, and how she ranafter me with outstretchedarms, crying daddy, daddy.Mothers with little babiesstrapped to their backs,

naked from the waist up,too used up and spentwith hopelessness andexhaustion to even brushaway the flies. Wanderingaimlessly about with thefamiliar 1,000-yard stare intheir eyes, looking for butfinding no relief in any di-

rection. What has botheredme most down throughthe years, is at the time Ihad little or no empathyor sympathy for them. Mycarnal mind and heart hadmostly been seared overand shut tight from over-load or any kind feelingsfor them, another conse-quence of war it seems.Open air markets on thestreets without refrigera-tion, with flies so thick youwould have to keep yourmouth closed in fear of in-haling them. It was almostas if I had died and gonestraight to hell. It stunk sobad, there were parts ofPusan you had to hold yourbreath and move quicklythrough to keep from get-ting sick. This just skimsthe surface in describingPusan, Korea, during thesummer, autumn and fallof 1950.

It soon became worse.Everything about the

enemy at the time was su-perior to our forces there.Battle-hardened troops,greatly outnumbering us,with better Russian tanks,

planes and other weaponsto use against us. Our firsttroops to face them wereno match at all. Soft U.S.Army troops that had beenpulling occupation duty inJapan were quickly sent toslow their advance to keepfrom having ourselvesforced out of Korea alto-gether. The slaughter ofthese unprepared troops,facing a superior num-bered fighting force beganimmediately. It appearedwe might be pushed out ofKorea at the time.

We feared that if thathappened, we might neverbe able to get our deadcomrades out of Korealater on. We began digging

up the battlefield cemeter-ies, wrapping the bodiesin a poncho or shelterhalf, with their dog tagsattached. They came roll-ing into Pusan loaded into

boxcars. We handled hun-dreds and even thousandsof these dead and mangledbodies of young men andboys still in their teens, notyet able to vote or to have alegal drink of alcohol.

The Korean War Memo-rial in Washington D.C. hasthe inscription, FREE-DOM IS NOT FREE on it.How well I know first handthat to be true. We live freein our country becausemany others have paid theultimate price to make thata reality.

The Communist ChineseArmy entered the war inoverwhelming force andnumbers during Novemberof 1950. Our country took

soldiers already in Koreato try to stem the tide andbeat them back. Again,they were soft and withoutany recent training forgoing into combat. Yet, I

relished the fact that I wasone among many others,chosen to go into a com-bat infantry outfit. I haddeveloped a purple pas-sion hatred for the enemy,especially so for the NorthKoreans. Reports came inby way of The Stars andStripes newspaper, that foreffect they had killed someof our soldiers execution-style, tying their handsbehind their backs withbarbed wire and shootingthem in the back of thehead. My mindset at the

time was, the only goodKorean, is a dead one, themore we kill today, the lesswell have to kill tomor-row. A testimony to the

ignorance and gullibilityof an 18-year-old mindthat can be programmedand trained to accept theinsanity of war, to kill anddestroy others made in

the image and likeness ofGod. For the first time inmy Army life I volunteeredfor something I had beenadvised not to do. All of mypast military friends andfamily members had ad-vised against volunteeringfor anything. I volunteeredas a machine gunner withthe 2nd Indianhead Infan-try Division.

Too late, I rememberedour basic training drill in-structor telling us that theaverage life of a machinegunner under attack is

about three minutes. Alongwith that I had not plannedon having to carry thething through knee-deepsnow-covered mountains

and rice paddies at 30, 40and 50 below zero blizzardweather, without propercold weather clothing ordecent food.

The kill-or-be-killed

insanity of war endedfor me when I was evacu-ated off the frontlines onMarch 7,1951. My feet hadbeen frozen and the warwas over for me. I weighedbarely over 100 pounds,skin stretched over bonefrom the extreme coldwithout proper cold weath-er clothing and never get-ting enough to eat. Almosteverything that could betaken and still remainalive had been sucked outof me, on the battlefields ofKorea. I spent most all of

the next year recovering inPercy Jones Army Hospi-tal in Battle Creek.

SEE FRIENDSON V6

Korea Te Forgotten War? not to this veteran

COURTESY PHOTO

Left is a sketch of Leith Cunningham made during his days in the service, right is a recent photo.


6/8

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For all that you are and all that youve given

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Your service and your sacrifce

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We salute ourveterans and soldiers who

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to those who have courageously riskedtheir lives fighting for our freedoms.

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armed forces who served and

made the ultimate sacrifice.

Their courage and dedication

will always be remembered.

Lest we forget.Remembrance Day 2014,

November 11


CONTINUED FROM V5

I come now to a point Iwould like to make. Afterlosing hometown friendsin the Korean War and oth-ers I became acquaintedwithin the service, seeingsome of them shot stonecold dead by my side orothers having to suffer onin pain and agony. Losingarms, legs, eyes, jawbonesand all sorts of other bodyparts and boggled minds. It

causes me grief, pain andsorrow to hear it being re-ported, that we never wonthe war. But is that reallytrue? Lets take a look at theevidence.

The North Korean andthe Chinese war machinewith all of their superiorRussian weapons and over-whelming numbers, werepushed back to the basicplace of their initial inva-sion, where they still re-main today. The North Ko-reans continue to be an op-pressive, military regime

that rules through fear, in-timidation and manipula-tion. Their people live stillin abject poverty through-out the country. Under thedespotic rule of one, not all

that much different thanHitler. Still hellbent uponinvading South Korea andbringing them into thenorthern fold, in his questto conquer, gain land mass,and control the minds andhearts of all of Korea.

But there is one littleproblem, the demilitarizedzone, where our militarystands guard to make sureit never happens. It maybe true that the war hasnever officially ended,

but it should not take amental wizard to figureout and come to a logicalconclusion as to who hasreally won the war. A nightsatellite photograph ofNorth and South Korea forexample, reveals a telltalemessage to the world. Thewhole of South Korea isbeing illuminated withthe lights of industry,commerce and progress,by a nation that is produc-ing and exporting worldclass products of everynature. While the North

remains dark and void ofthe things that democracyhas brought to the South.South Korea has becomeone of our greatest tradingpartners. They are a nation

and a people to be admiredand looked up to for theirperseverance, determina-tion, and dogged workethic. Their athletes bringa measure of excellence tothe Olympics at competi-tion time.

I was in Seoul, Korea,during 1950 and could seenothing but huge piles ofrubble and devastation.Unfit for habitation, thepeople had all been drivenout in front of the invad-

ing armies. Seoul changedhands four times duringthe war. As far as the eyecould see the city hadpretty much been leveled.I dont remember seeinganything higher than athree-story building.

I was amazed in 1988 asthe Olympics were beingheld there and we wereall able to see maybe themost modern city in theworld had risen from theashes of destruction anddevastation. The skylinecovered with skyscrapers,

superhighways, bridgesand commerce. A bustling,city on the move upwardand onward. Another tes-

tament to a people givena free mind in which toachieve, build and go for-ward with.

South Korea today is anation with a populationof 50 million people. A full20 percent of the popula-tion lives in the city ofSeoul. A city with a popula-tion of roughly 10 millionpeople, that my friendsis a couple million morethan live in our own NewYork City. Interestingly,

Seouls population densityis almost twice that of NewYork City.

I was in other Koreancities such as Pusan, In-chon, Wonju and others,where the same progresshas since grown and nowthrives as well. The spreadof Communism aroundthe world was stopped deadin its tracks in Korea. Youcan decide for yourselfwho won the war, but forme the question has beensettled. It gives me comfortand an inner peace on this

Veterans Day, to know inthe deepest recesses of mymind and heart that myfriends and comrades did

not die in vain or die fora tie in Korea. Time hasshown that we decisivelydid win the war. The proofis there for all that haveeyes to see with. The SouthKorean people have madeit so.

In the 1994 version ofits annual publication,Service and Casualties inMajor Wars and Conflicts,the Pentagon put KoreanWar battle deaths at 33,652and other deaths mean-

ing deaths in the war zonefrom illness, accidents andother non-battle causes at3,262. That yields a totalof 36,914. Around 8,000men were never recovered,whose bodies remain inKorean soil. One suchyoung man, Sgt. DavidFeriend of Fife Lake, losthis life at the Chosin Reser-voir battle, a kid that wentto our school. These braveand courageous youngmen and women went andserved in a country theyhad never heard of before

and for a people they didnot know, to keep a nationfree and prevent them fromfalling into the grasp of op-

pressing communism. Thegrateful, thankful nationof South Korea, has rap-idly through the pages oftime, risen from the ashesof destruction to that ofunparalleled growth anddevelopment, as a testimo-ny and a memorial to thoselost lives.

South Korea has shownitself to be ever gratefuland thankful for Americanservicemen and womenwhom have served their

nation. They put out freepublications to veteransto prove where their heartis in this. Among otherthings as I understand itat this point in time, theywill bring any veteran ofthe Korean War that wouldlike to return for a visitto Korea, by paying for allfood and lodging and halfof the plane fare, or travelexpense. On this VeteransDay of remembrance, letus acknowledge and paytribute to, the many whogave some, and the some

that gave all. Remember-ing as we do, that it is Godwho is in control of allthings, and all of the time.

Friends did not die for a tie in Korea

BY JEFF BRODDLE

CADILLAC NEWS

It was on a Nov. 11 thatEugene Wilson, now 82, wasone of a number of men am-bushed during the KoreanWar. Although today we knowNov. 11 as Veterans Day, it was

still known as Armistice Day a remembrance of the endof World War I, when Wilsonwas serving in Korea in 1950.It wouldnt be until 1954 thatthe date was expanded to in-clude all veterans and becomeknown as Veterans Day.

Wilson, who lives in Cadil-lac, was 18 when he was sentto Korea.

He had joined the National

Guard as part of the MilitaryPolice. Wilson said he wasdischarged when he told themhe wanted to join the Army.

Wilson joined the famed10th Mountain Division andwent to Camp Carson in Colo-rado for specialized training,including skiing and moun-

tain climbing.To tell you the truth, Iwasnt that good of a skier,Wilson said.

Wilson recalled he was toldhe would be going to Berlinwhen he was shipped over-seas, and the war betweenNorth Korea and South Koreahad not yet begun.

Wilson got off the shipat Pusan. He was sleeping

among a pile of backpackswhen someone woke him upand told him he was now aWolfhound, or part of the27th Wolfhound Regiment ofthe 25th Division of the U.S.Army.

He was given a .50 calibermachine gun and the job of

holding the line against theenemy. Wilson didnt get toknow very many of his col-leagues, he said, because theywere continuously beingcarried off the line. Manywere South Koreans, includ-ing a helper who assisted incarrying Wilsons ammuni-tion.

SEE SHOOTINGBEGAN ON V7

Korean War veteran remembers Armistice Day ambushJEFF BRODDLE |

CADILLAC NEWS

Eugene Wilson,82, of Cadillacserved in the10th MountainDivision, butbecame a

Wolfhoundwhen he joinedthe battle inthe KoreanWar. Wilsonwas travel-ing in a Jeepwhen he waswounded inan ambush onNov. 11, 1950.

Lets PutOur Hands

Together forOur Veterans

For their service and their sacrifice, we

salute Americas brave veterans.

Thank you for your dedication tothis great country and our values

as a nation.

Your courage and convictionmake us proud to be Americans.

SalutingOur Veterans!

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7/8

Time may hide the sadness,

Smiles may hide the tears,

But memories last forever,

Despite the passing years.

In memory of William Warren Sr. 1918-2000

(231) 775-85117193 E. 34 Rd. (Boon), Cadillac

Mon-Thur 9-6, Fri 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-3

Our thanks toall those who have

served in ournations armed forces.

~ Ron Neal, Veteran

716 S. Chestnu t St.Reed City

231-832-55012nd Generation Owned!

Your Hometown Spartan Grocery Store

VETERANS

OUR

THANK

fortheircourage

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forgivingusthe

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veintheland

oftheFREEand

thehomeoftheB

RAVE.

460 Pearl Street, Cadillac, Michigan 49601

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611 Sunnyside DriveCadillac, MI

231-775-0564

We salute those who have served.

A Salute ToOur BraveVeterans!

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www.bcbcpa.com e-mail: [email protected]

220 Hughston St., McBain231-825-2990

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would like to honor our veterans:

Harold Bird - Navy, VietnamBud Bos - Army WWII

Clarence Clements - Air Force

Ralph Cross - Navy

Russell Cutler - Army

Fred Feikema - Army, Korean

John Harris - Navy

Margaret Mosher - Army

Lloyd Robinson - Army

Vasco Souto - Air Force

Lawrence Wierda - Navy

Jerry Yonkman - Marines

Thank you for your service to our nation.We salute you!

Autumnwoodof McBain

In war, there areno unwoundedsoldiers.

~ Jose NaroskyThank YouVeterans &

Soldiers1714 N. Mitchell St., Cadillac

231-775-8891

Only they know the true cost of freedom.We sincerely thank all our

veterans & soldiers.

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231-775-6500

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They wouldnt be possible without our men

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We recognize the many sacrifices madeby our men and women in uniform

both today and throughout our nationshistory. We honor their courage and

dedication, and we thank them for theircontribution to our country.


CONTINUED FROM V6

At night, the front line all

but shut down, Wilson re-

membered. He was told to

pull the heavy block from

his gun and bring it back

to camp with him at night,

but would leave the rest of

the gun in position.

His time in combat was

over the day Wilson and

some men in two Jeeps

headed out to retrieve

a Jeep that had broken

through the ice into a river.

Wilson rode perched on

the spare tire attached to

the back of the lead ve-

hicle.

The soldiers were travel-

ing down a well-used two-

track when they came to

a spot where another road

branched off. There were in

a valley. A hut stood nearby.

The Jeeps stopped as a

second lieutenant spoke

on the field telephone to

headquarters, getting more

information about which

way to go.

Wilson noticed two men

running down the hill to-

ward the hut.

Those are our men,

said the lieutenant.

As the men drew close

to the hut, the shooting

began.

At some point, Wilson

was hit, and was shot

through a kidney and lung.

According to an account

of the incident, someone

ran out of a village and

apparently dropped an in-

cendiary device into one of

the Jeeps.

Easy Company was

called in to assist and en-

gaged in a fire fight with an

estimated 150 well-armed

and equipped enemy

troops. L Company suf-

fered six men killed and 12

wounded, and lost the two

Jeeps. Wilson himself was

from I Company. There

were 42 enemy killed,

while six were captured

and an unknown number

wounded.

Wilson recuperated from

his wounds at an Indiana

hospital. Later, he was sent

to Pennsylvania to train

recruits.

As the men drew close to the hut, the shooting began

BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

BOON Gerald Michell

grew up on a farm and

graduated from Marion

High School in 1942. In

1944, he volunteered toserve in the U.S. Navy dur-

ing World War II.

I knew we were fighting

for our freedom, he said.

I knew that, everyone

knew that.

Trained as an artillery

gunner, he was assigned to

the 40,000 ton battleship,

the USS South Dakota and

oined the crew for the

ships second war time

deployment to the South

Pacific.

In July 1945, Michells

ship was ordered to bom-

bard the coast of Japan

as the Allies prepared to

invade Japan.

By this time, the war

was over in Europe. The

Germans surrendered in

late April and early May.

But the Japanese refused

to surrender and fierce

battles were waging in the

Pacific.

The battleships USS

South Dakota, USS Mas-

sachusetts and the USS

Indiana, along with heavy

cruisers and destroyers,

were ordered to begin the

first heavy surface ship

bombardment of Japans

main island.

No one in their right

mind would have expected

that we could approach

this close to the shoreline

of Japan without quick re-

taliation, stated Michell.

We were surprised that

we werent attacked by ka-

mikaze planes.

The bombardment con-

sisted of three separate

attacks.

After the third, they were

given orders to stop.

SEE GOINGHOME ON PAGE V8

COURTESY

Jerry Michell was stationed on the 40,000-ton battle ship, USS South Dakota, during World War II. Theship was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered aboard the USS Missouri.

A witness to Japanese surrender

PHOTO COURTESY OF JERRY MICHELL

Jerry Michell is shown left with fellow U.S. Navy recruits duringWorld War II.


8/8

For their courage, hard work and dedication

to their country, we salute the men and

women of our Armed Forces past andpresent. It is because of their sacrifice that

America remains the land of the free, and

we thank them for protecting our citizens

and our country.

Wishing all of our veterans and soldiers a

very happy Veterans Day.

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Remembering thosewho gave their lives

for our freedom

Veterans DayNov. 11, 2014

Make The

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Carol

Coe-VokesPresident

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We recognize the many sacrifices made by ourmen and women in uniform both today andthroughout our nations history. We honortheir courage and conribution to our country.

Thank You, Veterans.

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This Veterans Day, we honor and givethanks to all veterans who served and

sacriced to ensure our freedom.

Remembering Those Who Served

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Kent Altman

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Ken KochJohn Leveque

Sincerest thanksto all of our servicemen and women, both past and present,

who have given their all in defense of our great nation.

We salute your valor & dedication!

Cadillac Elks Lodge 680

SALUTES

VETERANSAs long as there are Veterans,

the Benevolent and Protective Orderof Elks will never forget them.

November 11 2014

CONTINUED FROM V7

We were setting out to

sea to refuel and get more

ammo and we got word that

they dropped the atomic

bomb and the war was

over. Then we went into

Tokyo Bay. We could see

the shore but we couldnt

see any people, it was fairly

bombed out.

Two months later, on

Sept. 2, 1945, Michell took

his artillery position on

the left side of the ship to

witness history. His ship,

the USS South Dakota, had

been linked to the USS Mis-

souri by a walk way. It was

on the USS Missouri that

General Douglas MacAr-

thur accepted the Japanese

Imperial Governments for-

mal surrender aboard the

battleship USS Missouri.

We didnt take part in

the ceremony, Michell re-

called. But I was up in my

gun point where I could see

all the Japanese dignitaries

in their tall black hats go-

ing onto the Missouri. We

were all happy that the war

was over and that we would

soon be going home.

Eighteen days after the

surrender, Michells ship

left Tokyo Bay. However,Michell was transferred

to the USS Springfield to

complete his tour of sea

duty. They cruised Japan

and made a stop in Shang-

hai before heading to its

home port at Long Beach,

California.

Michell was welcomed

home by his high school

sweetheart, Rosie, whom

he had married on his first

leave from the military.The couple moved to the

Detroit area, where Michell

worked driving a semi-

truck for 30 years while

they raised seven children.

In 1988, the couple returned

to northern Michigan

where he drove a school

bus. Rosie died in 2013

and Michell lives with his

daughter and son-in-law.

We had a wonderful

life together, he said. Wesquare danced all over the

country.

Going home soon

NATIONAL ARCHIVES

U.S. Navy carrier planes fly in formation over the USS Missouri, the site of the formal surrender ofthe Japanese Imperial government on Sept. 2, 1945. Boons Jerry Michell was aboard the USS SouthDakota at the time in Tokyo Bay.


Jerry Michell shows off his mouse pad featuring his wedding picture with his wife Rosie, nowdeceased. The couple was married 68 years.

Documents

Veteran's Section 2014