Field of Honor 2018
Click on above photos for a larger view
Photos provided by Dawn Shelstad
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Flags were placed in memory of Gail Shelstad (mother of Dawn, Dee Dee, and Dean) and Dean Shelstad (US Army), then in honor of Arland B. Shelstad "Shelly" and his service!
Flags were placed in memory of Gail Shelstad (mother of Dawn, Dee Dee, and Dean) and Dean Shelstad (US Army), then in honor of Arland B. Shelstad "Shelly" and his service!
2018 Memorial Day Parade
Here are a few pictures of the new monuments at the Veteran's Memorial.
Thank you Pati Liffrig for the photo's.
Thank you Pati Liffrig for the photo's.
Click on the above images to see a larger view.
Medal of honor recipient Roy P. Benavidez
This is a vintage video by Drew Losch of Roy Benavidez speaking at the annual Soldier of the Year Awards Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio back in 1991 when Desert Storm was about to take place. Please take a few moments to honor Roy, his service and message to our youth and country. It was a pleasure to meet MSG Benavidez and capture this memorable occasion on video. A true hero in my book. SSG Drew Losch U.S Army (Retired)
- Roy's speech starts at about the Seven (7) minute mark. I tried to have it auto-start there, but there seems to be an issue !
Here is a video as a memorial to Roy about his heroism in Vietnam.
11/11/2017 Happy Veterans Day !
About Veterans Day
Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. Veterans Day was originally called “Armistice Day” when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed this day in November 1919. Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting and “Armistice Day” recognizes the end of World War 1 when hostilities ceased on November 11th at 11 A.M, 1918 (11th hour, of the 11th, of the 11th month).
On May 13th, 1938 Armistice Day was declared a legal holiday each year. A day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace. Originally Armistice Day only honored veterans of World War.
On November 11th, 1947 Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized a “National Veterans Day” parade in Birmingham, Alabama to recognize veterans of all wars.
This celebration led to Congress changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize Veterans of all U.S. wars.
Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
Memorial Day is for remembering and honoring military personnel who dies in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of a wound sustained in battle.
Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who honorably served in the military – in war time or peace time.
Please Check out our new Misc Links Page !
Here is a youtube video that Tim Meyer posted on Facebook. I thought it might be of interest to some. - Tom Stahman
Wolfie the Grunt takes personal 8mm movies of a Combat Assault in Vietnam
I bought a 8mm Yashica movie camera during a stand down from combat. Took movies during the stand down and then decided to hump the camera into the bush on our next mission. I took footage during our airmobile assault. After blocking out Vietnam for 36 years I decided to use my footage to pay tribute to those soldiers that were ambushed and killed on Easter Sunday 4-11-1971. I never expected that video to be seen 1.5 million times and the rest of my videos to be seen 1 million times for a total of 2.5+ million currently.
I bought a 8mm Yashica movie camera during a stand down from combat. Took movies during the stand down and then decided to hump the camera into the bush on our next mission. I took footage during our airmobile assault. After blocking out Vietnam for 36 years I decided to use my footage to pay tribute to those soldiers that were ambushed and killed on Easter Sunday 4-11-1971. I never expected that video to be seen 1.5 million times and the rest of my videos to be seen 1 million times for a total of 2.5+ million currently.
Mazeppa Daze 2017
Photo's by TB Aerial Photography : If anyone would like high definition pictures of the fireworks I took for Mazeppa Daze please send me a message. They would make a great picture to hang on your wall! See the pictures attached with this post so you know what I have available. The high definition picture will include a photo release form, signed by me, and no watermark. The picture(s) will be available via a link I will email you. From there you can download the picture and print it off, in any size, at any print center. There will also be no cost associated if you decide you want some pictures. Thanks! - Trent : Please Contact Trent on his Facebook page.
Memorial Day in Mazeppa
The Honer Guards new van.
Veteran's Day Supper - 2016
Veteran's Memorial - Phase 2 Construction
Mazeppa Daze 2016
Photos by: Dee Dee Stahman, Jake Pablec, Brenda Weich, Tom Stahman
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Article by : BY DAN DOYLE
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The Youngest American KIA In Vietnam
Is Way Younger Than I Thought!
When you hear the words “the youngest American Killed In Action in the Vietnam War,” you might think 17 or 18 years of age. There were many who were of that age who fought in Vietnam. But you would be wrong. Today, I want to tell you a story about a very unique Marine indeed; an uncommon Marine. It is hard to believe, but PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old when he was killed in action during an extremely intense battle in An Hoa, Quang Nam Province on June 7, 1969.
SAD BEGINNINGS
The character of this young man was already evident in his early teens. When he was 12 years old he was living with his mother in Goldsboro, North Carolina. She died suddenly and he and his younger sister, Gloria, had to move up to Brooklyn to live with their dad and his new wife. Neither the streets of Brooklyn, nor the local schools offered him what he was looking for in life.
Bullock, like many boys of his age, was enamored with the military, especially the Marines. He was 14 years old when he appeared at a Marine Corps recruiting station in Brooklyn with his “doctored” birth certificate. He had somehow changed the dates on the certificate indicating that he had been born on Dec. 21, 1949. His actual birth date, though, was, Dec. 21, 1953. How he was able to get away with it is a matter for another article maybe, but the fact is that he did.
BOOTCAMP
Bullock was a big kid already, and strong. He looked older than he really was. He was accepted and sworn in to the Marine Corps and went to boot camp on September 18, 1968. He was still only 14 years old.
Boot camp was difficult for him. He almost washed out due to the fact that his 14-year-old body, though strong, had not yet developed the stamina that a few more years would have given him. He would fall behind on the long runs and would often have to be helped by fellow recruits. Some in his recruit platoon thought he was a bit slow but the fact is that, though he was smart, he was still just a naive 14-year-old boy. Yet, he was a meticulous Marine. He worked harder than most and always wanted to do well in everything. He was able to get through boot camp successfully and six months later he received orders to Vietnam. He was assigned to Fox Co., 2nd Bn., 5th Marine Regiment.
VIETNAM
His unit was stationed at An Hoa in Quang Nam Province in June of 1969. On the night of June 7, North Vietnamese army units attacked their position with heavy mortar and small arms fire.
During the intense battle, Bullock immediately recognized that the ammunition supplies were being rapidly depleted. He began carrying the needed ammo to his brother Marines. His commanding officer, Capt. Robert Kingrey, wrote of his actions to his family after he had been killed, saying in part, “he constantly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to keep the Company supplied with the ammunition needed to hold off the attack…He was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy small arms fire and died instantly at approximately 1:50 a.m.”
Many of his brothers fell that night as well. Of the 45 who were engaged by the enemy that night, only 20 walked away. When Kingrey wrote that painful letter to the Bullock family, neither he nor any of Bullock’s fellow Marines knew that he was only 15 years old.
Dan Bullock’s life was short, but it was packed with nobility. Though far too young, he would prove himself to be a man, a man made of sturdier stuff than most. As a Marine in Vietnam, he would willingly sacrifice his life for the good of his brothers in the fierce environment of battle. He was buried quietly in his hometown of Goldsboro, NC, in a simple and unadorned grave. When Sally Jessy Raphael, an 80s talk show host, found this out, she purchased a proper headstone which now adorns his grave.
PFC Bullock’s real age would not be revealed until a local news reporter went to his father’s house to interview him for a story about his son. It was only then that his real age was discovered.
Yes, we are duty-bound to remember PFC Dan Bullock, not just because of his unusual age, but because his story is consistent with the heroic deeds of countless of his Marine Corps brothers. He died a hero of uncompromising Marine Corps faithfulness. He died selflessly serving his country at an age when most of his peers were too self-absorbed to see beyond the momentary pleasures of life. Though he would never have imagined it, he became a part of the Marine Corps’ —and the nation’s— history, not just because of his age, but because of his heroism. That is why he must be remembered.
The Veterans Site remembers you, PFC Dan Bullock. We honor your memory with a mixture of sadness and pride. Despite your age, you were a man among men.
SEMPER FI, GOOD MARINE! OOORAH!
Memorial Day !
"Operation Overlord"
Operation Overlord was the code-name given to the Allied invasion of France scheduled for June 1944. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings (Operation Neptune, commonly known as D-Day). A 1,200-plane airborne assault preceded anamphibious assault involving more than 5,000 vessels. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on 6 June, and more than two million Allied troops were in France by the end of August.
Click Here for more... "Operation Overlord"
Operation Overlord was the code-name given to the Allied invasion of France scheduled for June 1944. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings (Operation Neptune, commonly known as D-Day). A 1,200-plane airborne assault preceded anamphibious assault involving more than 5,000 vessels. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on 6 June, and more than two million Allied troops were in France by the end of August.
Click Here for more... "Operation Overlord"
One of the last remaining veterans who survived the USS Arizona attack at Pearl Harbor has died.
Clarendon “Clare” Hetrick passed away last week in Las Vegas, Fox 25 reported. He was 92 years old.
Hetrick was surrounded by family at the time of his passing. Select the link to see more.
Clarendon Hetrick Passes
Veteran's Day at The International Event Center 11/11/15
Here are a few photo's of the Veteran's Memorial in
recognition of National POW/MIA Day Sep 18.
recognition of National POW/MIA Day Sep 18.
Mazeppa Daze - 2015
Photo's Courtesy of Pati Liffrig, Brenda Wiech. Joe Weber, Tom Stahman and other Facebook friends. :)
Robert Tri sitting on bench dedicated to Vincent Tri at the Veteran's Memorial.
Receiving and installing the new memorial benches
Memorial Day - 2015
Front Row L-R:
Robert Tri, Ivan Frank, Martin Meerkins, Frank Irwin, Eugene Hofius, Virgil Luhmann, Mike Nord, Tom Lemmerman, Vern Dose, Mike Meyer, Butch Wobschall, Roger Hofschulte, Tom Friedrich, Gary Hager
2nd Row L-R:
Tom Schimek, Dale Goranson, Bruce Kinlund, Carey Jones, Ray Goranson, Wes Voeltz, Ken Markson
3rd Row L-R: Jeff Josselyn, Larry Van De Walker, Jerry Siems, Leroy Goranson, Richard Weber
Robert Tri, Ivan Frank, Martin Meerkins, Frank Irwin, Eugene Hofius, Virgil Luhmann, Mike Nord, Tom Lemmerman, Vern Dose, Mike Meyer, Butch Wobschall, Roger Hofschulte, Tom Friedrich, Gary Hager
2nd Row L-R:
Tom Schimek, Dale Goranson, Bruce Kinlund, Carey Jones, Ray Goranson, Wes Voeltz, Ken Markson
3rd Row L-R: Jeff Josselyn, Larry Van De Walker, Jerry Siems, Leroy Goranson, Richard Weber
5/23/2015 - The Veteran's Memorial Dedication
To see KAAL TV 6 news and video, click here. - TV 6
More pictures from the Memorial's Dedication
5/2/2015 - Work Continues on the Veteran's Memorial
Tribute to the Vietnam Veterans
Mazeppa Veteran's Memorial !
Photo's from Larry and Sheree Van De Walker
For Memorial Plaques, Plates, and Statues
Below is the Veteran's Memorial Plaque information Pamphlet
Please click on image to show a larger image
Please click on image to show a larger image
I won't back down - Johnny Cash
A tribute to all veteran's and service people everywhere !
Honor at last for Roy P. Benevidez - Tango Mike Mike - (That Mean Mexican) submitted by J.Larry Van De Walker
The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial |
Trace Adkins - "Arlington"
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To See "Our" Wall of Honor use this Link
The purpose of the Mazeppa Veterans Honor Guard is to give to all military veterans
their last salute and farewell to arms. It is an honor and privilege to provide this service
to our fellow veterans and their families. We have the utmost respect for all military veterans of the United States. We are proud of our Veterans and give this service to those, who have earned and given us so much. We Salute them always, along with our Flag and our great Nation.
their last salute and farewell to arms. It is an honor and privilege to provide this service
to our fellow veterans and their families. We have the utmost respect for all military veterans of the United States. We are proud of our Veterans and give this service to those, who have earned and given us so much. We Salute them always, along with our Flag and our great Nation.
Mission Statement
"The primary mission of the Mazeppa Veterans Honor Guard is to provide full military funeral honors for active duty members, retirees and veterans who served honorably in any branch of the American Armed Forces. We also provide honors and ceremonies for civilian programs, parades and celebrations."
"The primary mission of the Mazeppa Veterans Honor Guard is to provide full military funeral honors for active duty members, retirees and veterans who served honorably in any branch of the American Armed Forces. We also provide honors and ceremonies for civilian programs, parades and celebrations."
A special thanks goes out to Commander Jack Hoskinson and Richard Gawith of the American Veterans Honor Guard for allowing us to use items from their website !
