Vietnam Veteran's Recognition Ceremony
Veterans were honored Sunday at a Vietnam Veteran's Recognition Ceremony in Jewell at the Cavalry Bible Evangelical Free Church. The event was hosted by members of the Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR. Veterans honored were (back row, from left) Bill Hoffer, Beloit, United States Army, 1969-1971; Allan Wanklyn, Jewell, United States Army and Army Reserves, 1970-1991; John Woerner, Jewell, United States Air Force, 1965-1968; David Blackmore, Beloit, United States Navy, 1962-1966; Roy Hoffer, Jewell, United States Army, 1963-1965; Duane Michaud, Jewell, United States Marine Corps,1967-1971; (front row) Leon Boden, Ionia, United States Air Force, 1969-1973; Larry Haskett, Jewell, United States Army, 1966-1968 and John Walker, Beloit, United States Navy, 1966-1970. Photo by Kerma Crouse.
Women representing the Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR hosted a Vietnam Veteran's Recognition Ceremony at the Cavalry Bible Evangelical Free Church in Jewell on Sunday. They were (from left) Bonjour, Formoso, Sherry (Headrick) Koster, Jewell); Kerma (Headrick) Crouse Jewell; Brenda (Judd) Dooley, Jewell; and Jane (Vincent) Pahls, Jewell. Ten veterans were honored at the event. Photo provided by Kerma Crouse.
On Sunday, Jan. 12, the Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR hosted a Vietnam Veteran's Recognition Ceremony at the Calvary Bible Evangelical Free Church in Jewell.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has for some time been encouraging chapters to recognize and thank those veterans who served during the turbulent years of the Vietnam War. At times those veterans did not receive the recognition they deserved when they returned from their military service. Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR has hosted several events to honor these veterans.
Sunday's ceremony began with a welcome given by Kerma Crouse. Pastor Chad Morton of the Calvary Bible Church gave the invocation before Chapter Chaplin, Sierra Bonjour, lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Recognition of veterans followed.
Robert "Bob" Westgate was honored in absentia. Westgate served in the United States Marine Corps, the United States Army Reserves and the Army National Guard from 1962 until 1994. He was a Sargeant First Class at his discharge. Westgate currently lives in Concordia and will be awarded his certificate and pin at a later date. His wife, Sandy Westgate will help with the presentation.
Chapter members Brenda Dooley and Jane Pahls presented information about the pins all the veterans were to receive.
Three veterans had previously received certificates recognizing their service and on Sunday received the DAR's Vietnam Recognition pin. Those veterans were Leon Boden of Ionia, Larry Haskett of Jewell and John Walker of Beloit. Sherry Koster presented the pins.
Boden served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973 earning the rank of Sargeant. His wife, Karen Boden, helped to present his pin. Haskett saw service with the United States Army from 1966 to 1968. He was wounded in combat. At his discharge, his rank was E-4. Haskett's wife, Ruth Haskett, assisted in the presentation. John Walker served as a Seabee with the United States Navy from 1966 until 1970. Walker's rank at discharge was also E-4. Joleen Walker, John's wife, was part of his presentation.
Six veterans received both certificates and pins: David Blackmore of Beloit, Bill Hoffer of Beloit, Roy Hoffer of Jewell, Duane Michaud of Jewell, Allan Wanklyn of Jewell and John Woerner of Jewell. Sherry Koster presented the certificates and pins.
David Blackmore saw service with the United States Navy from 1962 to 1966. His rank was AK-3. His wife, Patti Blackmore, helped with the presentation of his pin. Bill Hoffer served from 1969 to 1971 with the United States Army earning the rank of Specialist 5th Class. Sherry Koster assisted with his pin. Roy Hoffer also served with the United States Army. His service was from 1963 to 1965 and his rank at discharge was PFC. Koster also assisted with his pin.
Duane Michaud was a United States Marine. His service was from 1967 to 1971. Michaud was a Corporal at his discharge. His wife, Marsha Knarr, helped with the pin presentation. Allan Wanklyn's service was with the United States Army and the Army Reserves from 1970 to 1991. He ended his service with the rank of Captain. Sherry Koster place the pin on his lapel. John Woerner served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1968. He earned the rank of Staff Sargeant. Linda Woerner, John's wife, was part of the pin presentation.
After the presentations, Chapter Chaplain Sierra Bonjour lead the group in the Lord's Prayer. The event closed with refreshments and conversation.
Water was provided by the Guarantee State Bank of Jewell.
The Desire Tobey Sears Chapter members taking part in the ceremony were; Sierra Koster Bonjour, Formoso. Kerma Headrick Crouse, Jewell, Brenda Judd Dooley, Jewell, Sherry Headrick Koster, Jewell, Jane Vincent Pahls, Jewell, and Melinda Headrick Rose, Manhattan.
There are other Recognition Ceremonies planned for area communities. If you know of service men or women who served in any branch of the armed forces from 1954 to 1975, please contact Sherry Koster at 785-476-5614 or Kerma Crouse at 620-272-7160.
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