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You've landed at Landing Zone (LZ) Liberty Grove
A Landing Zone for veterans
living on
Wisconsin's Door County
Peninsula!
"You're
half-way to the North Pole
along the 45th parallel"
Stand for the
"Star Spangle Banner"
Flag Etiquette
Recite:
"The Pledge of Allegiance"
Military Assistance Program (MAP)
Order of the Day:
Read the message from our State Commander (Al Lipphardt)
Than
Click here
to place a link to our web site on your
computer desk-top and smart phone
That'll allow you zoom into our
meetings from anywhere in the world!
Eyes RIGHT ---- Heads UP! Join a VFW' post
close to your
home
If you live and/or work in Door County,
Click here and join us at Post
8337.
Our theater of operation is on the
peninsula, north of the
45th parallel
Open borders and
sanctuary cities have brought us to the brink of
WW3!
Kim Jong Un to Yoon "We will not hastate to use nukes in
response to an attack"
Kim Jong-un's anger explodes: the United States has crossed
the line (msn.com)
Russia Issues New Nuclear Warning to US at UN: 'Suicide
Venture' (msn.com)
We're sitting targets
for the next terrorist attack!
"VFW Post 8337 is now holding "In-person"
and internet-zoomed meetings so you can zoom-in
from anywhere in the world.
Click here
for your Zooming Instructions
Door County veterans Killed in Action
Door County Veterans KIA in
Vietnam
Clicking on their "panel" will
take you to the wall in Washington
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Dan L. Pfister
Sfc. U. S. Army - Medic
Sturgeon Bay,
KIA June 18, 1968
Panel 56W line 26 RIP Bayside
Cemetery |
Randy W. Wagner
Corporal U.S. Army
Egg Harbor,
KIA 11/27/1968
Panel 38W line 80 RIP Egg Harbor
Cemetery |
David R. Schaefer
Sergeant U.S. Army
Sturgeon Bay
KIA May 1, 1969
Panel 26W line 94 RIP St P&P
Institute |
Richard E. Perez
Lance Corporal USMC
Washington Island
KIA September 6, 1969
Panel 18W line 49
RIP Island Cemetery |
Philip M. Overbeck
1st Lieutenant US Army
Sturgeon Bay
KIA June 10, 1970
Panel 09W line 40
RIP Bayside Cemetery |
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Past
Commander -
"Carl T"
Carl T.
Carlson
Viet Nam 68
- 69
Past Sr.
Vice
Commander
Bruce
"Bubba"
Hanson
Vietnam 68 - 70
"Public to
Private Partnerships" |
We're building "Public
to Private Partnerships"
between county' veteran
organizations - Fire and
Police departments across
the country. |
Boots on the Ground |
We deploying "boots on the
ground" in Door County from the
southern county line
to Washington Island. |
Road Guarding #101 |
When the "Rubber hits
the road", bike clubs across
Wisconsin stand mission
ready to act as road-guards
during any large scale,
life-threatening mass evacuation. |
The Final Salute
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We're recruiting and
training "Honor
Guards" to post the colors
and give the Final Salute"
at veteran funerals in Door
County north of the 45th
parralel. |
We will never forget! |
We're gearing up to
place flags on off veteran
grave sites in Door County,
north of the 45th parallel. |
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Let's Roll! |
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VFW
Post 8337 - Headquarter Command
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Boots on the Ground
Stop!
I
launched this site
back in 2001, just
after the 9-11-01
attack on the New
York World Trade
Center. Much below
this point is dated
material, so read it
as if you where
there. God Bless
"Full speed ahead
and damn the
torpedoes." |
Eyes right and page
down for a KIA
briefing on five of
Door County's
finest.
Click here a song
for the wall!
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Their motto?
I've Got Your Back! |
Their guard dog road
point!.
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LZ
"Landing Zone" Lambeau
was an awesome success!
Go to
www.LZLambeau.org
for details.
Page down for a
tribute to others... |
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Dan L. Pfister
Sfc. U. S. Army - Medic
Sturgeon Bay,
KIA June 18, 1968
Panel 56W line 26 RIP Bayside
Cemetery |
Randy W. Wagner
Corporal U.S. Army
Egg Harbor,
KIA 11/27/1968
Panel 38W line 80 RIP Egg Harbor
Cemetery |
David R. Schaefer
Sergeant U.S. Army
Sturgeon Bay
KIA May 1, 1969
Panel 26W line 94 RIP St P&P
Institute |
Richard E. Perez
Lance Corporal USMC
Washington Island
KIA September 6, 1969
Panel 18W line 49
RIP Island Cemetery |
Philip M. Overbeck
1st Lieutenant US Army
Sturgeon Bay
KIA June 10, 1970
Panel 09W line 40
RIP Bayside Cemetery |
In 'Nam we seldom had a day without rain so riding wet
with Rolling Thunder's 1244 or Door County's "Rubber
hits the Road" only brought back memories of drying out
before moving out! Don't miss our
www.youtube.com
video shot while our ride paused at Door County's Fallen
Heroes Memorial in Sturgeon Bay. |
"When the
rubber hits
the road"
Our
primary
mission was
to safely
deploy 5
Honor Riders
with Rolling
Thunder's
1244 riding
out of La
Crosse to LZ
Lambeau
while at the
same time
deploying 5
from KIA
gravesites
in Door
County to LZ
Lambeau on
Friday, May
21, 2010.
The 1244
represent
the number
of Wisconsin
solders
killed in
action,
missing in
action, or
who were
prisoners
during the
Vietnam War.
All Door
County
riders made
it safely to
LZ Lambeau.
Two of
Rolling
Thunder's
riders went
down in the
rain on the
way to La
Crosse
suffering
only minor
injuries.
Three went
down in the
rain during
the first
deployment
sending one
to the
hospital,
and one went
down later
in the day
suffering
minor
injuries but
totaling his
bike. The
FAA grounded
the chopper
planning to
fly over the
1244.
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Our
primary
mission was
to guard the
Moving WALL
while
landing Door
County
Vietnam vets
with KIA
family
members
safely on
the ground
at LZ
Lambeau
Saturday May
22, 2010.
We all
landed
safely
in-country!
We answered
roll-call,
signing a
parking lot
size map of
South
Vietnam!
We
reconnected
with
comrades and
shared "war
stories" and
common
experiences!
We hugged,
saluted, and
prayed with
"Golden"
Mothers!
Golden
Mothers are
the mothers
of solders
on the WALL!
Click here and view
"Door County
Veterans' Welcome Home"
and
"Over Door
County - Under God"
videos! |
Rolling
Thunder
escorted the
Moving WALL
out of town
Monday
morning, May
24, 2010
Pioneer 1
packed up
and moved
out at high
noon!
We salute
our fellow
veterans and
applaud Door
County
residents
for their
heart
warming
"welcome
home" and
shouts of
support as
our
Ride-for-Five
wound
through Door
County on
its way to
LZ Lambeau.
We cried and
beamed with
pride along
the way!
We'll never
forget your
signs,
banners, and
shouts of
encouragement.
Almost
everyone on
our
"Ride-for-Five"
out of Door
County and
our ride for
1244 out of
La Crosse
reported
crying as
they
realized the
welcome they
knew was
there but
had never
really felt.
I guarantee
We'll never
forget our
welcome
home.
Rich Woldt
68 - 70 |
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THANK YOU OB1!
Vietnam Vets across the state thank
NEWBA's President Owen "OB1" Bergwin for
his support and dedication throughout
the LZ Lambeau planning year.
OB1 rode
with Rolling Thunders' 1244 soaked to
the bone in the second wave out of La
Crosse. He worked in the Rolling
Thunders' food stand, attended countless
meetings, and stood with us at every
turn. Thanks OB1! You're a friend of
veterans around the world. Any single
women vacationing in Door County would
be wise to have you as an escort. |
THANK YOU
Honor
Riders!
Vietnam Vets
were proud
to ride with
members of
the
TITAN MC and
Door Devil
Motorcycle
Clubs,
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Door County's "Ride for
Five" with Rolling
Thunder's 1244 was
ridden by Owen "OB1" Burgwin for Richard
Perez, Eric Peil for Dan Phister, Joe
Rockwell for David Schaefer, Karen
"Finger" Nicholson for Phil Overbeck,
and Michael "Saint Michael" Burgwin for
Randy Wagner.
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Door County's "Ride for Five"
was lead by Emmett VanGorver riding
for Randy Wagner, Ken Suess for Dan
Phister, Tim Gauthier for Richard Perez,
Joe Stich for Dave Schaefer and Frank
Mack riding for Phil Overbeck. |
.... and with Rolling
Thunder, Patriot Guard, Warriors' Watch and
clubs too many to mention...
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Vietnam vets thank
our Door Co.
Business Community:
Motor Pool - Fuel &
Medical Supply Depots
During "Rubber hits the Road" managers
at all refueling depots carried the rank
of "Full Bull!"
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U.S. Hwy 57
AL Post 527 Tom Kowalski |
Staging Area # 2
Ken Gobel - US Navy
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Staging Area # 3
BP' Diane Hank & Shell' Lisa Anschutz |
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Motor Pool:
Viking Grill Owner/CEO
Dan Peterson Commanding |
Medical Supply Depot
Bay Pharmacies Inc.
President/CEO
Thomas Voegele Commanding |
Medical Supply Depot
Pamida Pharmacy
President/CEO
Jim Thomas Commanding |
Vietnam vets send a special THANK YOU to
Pioneer Credit Union's CEO Tom Young,
Wisconsin credit union chapter leaders,
the Wisconsin Credit Union League, and
members of the World Council of Credit
Unions for their financial council and
liquidity management support offered
honor riders traveling to LZ Lambeau
from across the country and around the
world.
Wisconsin Credit Unions
resupplied
our
M.P.C
and Green Backs?
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We
enlisted the support of the
world credit union movement.
FYI: The Door County
Community Credit Union,
organized in Egg Harbor,
Wisconsin is now a branch of
the Pioneer Credit Union
located two blocks due south
of LZ Lambeau. Pioneer CU
joined our "Unified" command
to mentor our Chiefs of
Finance. This helped ensure
all internationally
recommended internal, audit,
and collection control
procedures were followed.
They also consulted on
security and safety with our
Planning, Operation, and
Logistic Chiefs.
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Thank you
"Lambeau Credit Union"
in
Tobago, West Indies. We
salute them from "Lambeau
Field" the home of the World
Champion Green Bay Packers!
My promise made - is a
promise kept!
Rich Woldt
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Thank you
International
Credit Union
Risk Managers in
Scotland,
Ireland,
England, Poland,
Jamaica, South
Korea and
beyond...
for observing
and benchmarking
our ability to
move a segment
of our
population out
of harms way
when faced with
a natural
disaster,
terrorist
attack, or
pandemic
requiring a mass
evacuation or
the need to
segment our
population.
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The origin of the “Battlefield Cross”
The origin of the “Battlefield Cross” dates
back to before the Civil War, to a time when
fallen soldiers, in the heat of battle, were
buried on the battlefield.
The fallen soldier’s
rifle with bayonet attached
would be stuck at the head of the grave and
their helmet placed on top to identify the
soldier. After the battle was won, their
comrades in arms would return and conduct
what’s now become the traditional graveside
service, to include placing a makeshift
headstone and flag to mark the grave, firing
a “three-shot” volley over the grave, and
starting during the Civil War, the playing
of Taps.
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VFW -
Blank Minute Form:
If you're appointed to take minutes copy
this "blank" minute form, fill it out on
forward it to your post' secretary,
who'll transcribe it and print copies
for the Commander at the next monthly
meeting. It's acceptable, to email
minutes to your commander but "Only" to
the commander. Call or text the
commander to alert him/her the minutes
have been sent. Always, keep a copy
until the minutes have been read and
approved at the next meeting.
Note:
Each entry is numbered to allow you to
number and expand your minutes on the
blank back side of this form! Please
make sure you sign and date the form
before forwarding it to the commander. |
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News Letters for VFW Post 8337 |
September 2024
We passed our
inspection with almost flying
colors, noting our post continues to
struggle with recruiting younger
member, qualified to join the VFW.
Following is a copy of the minutes
from our August meeting:
VFW Post 8337
Meeting DATE: September 3, 2024
1)
Meeting called to order at: 7
P.M.
2)
Opening pray was said
followed by The Pledge of
Allegiance!
3)
Adjutant called the roll:
Commander, Quartermaster, Trustee, 2
members present, one Zoomed in
during the meeting. Total of 6 plus
on guest (Bruce Sorenson conducted
our annual audit). We passed with
flying colors.
4)
Reading and approval of the
minutes from August 6, 2024
meeting.
5)
Quartermaster report (receipts and
disbursements):
We received $50 from Huehns Funeral
Home, $42 from our member (Jeff
Bastar) to pay a $42 bill for our PO
Box. $200 bill for two laptops
purchased by our quartermaster. One
lap top goes to our Chaplain and the
other to our new Post Commander. All
read and approved!
6)
Reading of the bills:
Covered in the quartermaster report.
7)
Reading of communications.
There were no communications to
read.
8)
Report of all committees:
We again talked about our plans to
recruit new members, working with
the Liberty Grove fire department,
Gibraltar schools, The DC Farm for
Vets, AL Post 527, The American
Legion Riders, Scouting groups in
northern Door, etc.
9)
We had the Prayer to the
National Home
at 7:45 p.m.
10)
Unfinished “Old” business:
We discussed our game plan for
growing the post to a point all post
officers can be replaced by younger
veterans in our filed of membership.
We also talked about what has to be
done, if and when, we decide to
“fold-the-post”. All member need to
be involved, to include receiving a
written notice allowing them time to
respond.
11)
New Business:
After receiving a report from
________________________________________________________________________
12)
Good of the Order: Bruce
Sorenson gave his “Inspection
Report” and offered suggestions
going forward.
He emphasized, whatever we do, we
have to inform our entire membership
and give them enough time to voice
their opinion and cast their vote.
We have two options. We can either
just “fold-the-post” or merge our
entire post, to include our
membership into VFW Post 3088 in
Sturgeon Bay.
a.
Both options include the
following:
i.
We surrender our charter,
turn over our flags to the State VFW
and return our guns to the Army.
b.
We liquidate
both our general fund (Checking
account) and our “Relief Account”.
c.
We sell our physical assets,
to include selling or donating our
food trailer and grill along with
all associated equipment.
13)
We had closing ceremony and
closing prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10.
14)
Next meeting will be on
October 1st at the
Liberty Grove Town hall.
Respectively submitted by: Richard
Woldt
Drawing went to: We discontinued the
drawing until further notice.
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August 2024
We
continue to debate our struggle to
recruit younger members.
Following is a copy of your minutes
from our meeting August 6, 2024
meeting:
VFW Post 8337 Minute History 2023 –
2024
VFW Post 8337
Meeting DATE: August 6, 2024
1)
Meeting called to order at: 7
P.M.
2)
We Zoomed our meeting as both
Commander and Quartermaster were out
of town.
3)
Opening pray was said
followed by The Pledge of
Allegiance!
4)
Adjutant called the roll:
Quorum
6, to include Commander,
Quartermaster, 2 Trustees and 2
members.
5)
Reading and approval of the
minutes from July 2, 2024 meeting.
6)
Quartermaster report
(receipts and disbursements): Read
and approved:
7)
Reading of the bills: We had
no bills.
8)
Reading of communications. We
had no communications.
9)
Report of all committees:
We discussed getting the trailer off
our balance sheet. The proposal to
involve the Al Johnson family has
fallen through, as we’ve not heard
back. We discussed the downside of
going that route. At this time we’ll
look for an alternative such as
donating the trailer to the Liberty
Grove fire department. Chaplain will
develop a plan and discuss it with
Sister Bay/Liberty Grove’ fire
chief.
10)
We had the Prayer to the
National Home at
___________________________________.
11)
Unfinished “Old” business:
Quartermaster continues to study and
learn. Doing the best he can at 79
years old.
12)
New Business:
We we’re told to expect an
inspection conducted by Bruce
Sorensen at our September 3, 2024
meeting. Quartermaster with be
prepared. Asks all trustees to be
present at that meeting as we need
signatures.
13)
Good of the Order:
We discussed holding our meeting at
the Mink River Basin. Quartermaster
will talk to the owners of the Mink
River Basin to make sure there is a
separate room we could use and there
would be not additional charge.
14)
We had closing ceremony and
closing prayer. Meeting adjourned at
_______________
_____________________________________________________________.
15)
Next meeting will be on
September 3 at the Liberty Grove
Town Hall:
_____________________________________________
Respectively submitted by: Richard
Woldt
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The
Star Spangle Banner!
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Rich Woldt
&
Lee Patza
Saigon Vietnam
1968 - 1970
Cousins: Both Vietnam Vets, proud
members of VFW Post 8337 standing mission
ready to fight for our freedom and independence.
HQ Military
Assistance Command Vietnam (MACVn)
January 11,
1969
"Door
County had 5 solders killed in action during the
Vietnam War"
Randy Wagner,
Lee Patza and I left Egg Harbor about the same
time. Lee landed in Vietnam March 23, 1968,
Randy on September 11, 1968 and I landed on
November 10, 1968. Randy was killed by a
demolition bomb on November 11, 1968 the day
after I landed at Long Bien Ben Hue.
David Schaefer,
son of Roy and Helen (Rohr) Schaefer, Sturgeon
Bay, landed in the Mekong Delta as part of the
Ninth Infantry Division on March 1, 1969 and was
killed 61 days later on May 1, 1969; leaving
three brothers; Steve, Rick and Mark and
paternal grandmother, Nellie Schaefer behind. I
remember hanging out with David at his family's
Shell Station on Jefferson where he spent many
hours working on his '62Corvair.
Sergeant
Schaefer was awarded several medals posthumously
for valor in combat. The Silver Star with 1st
Oak Leaf Cluster. The first was for picking up
an armed Vietcong grenade from beneath a wounded
soldier and hurling it away, where it exploded
shortly thereafter. The second was for
courageously leading an attack against a
Vietcong bunker where he took machine gun fire
that cost him his life. Also awarded were the
Bronze Star and Bronze Star first Oak Leaf
Cluster for meritorious achievement while
participating in sustained aerial flight in
support of combat forces and the Purple Heart.
Rick Perez,
Washington Island, was scheduled to leave
for home on September 22 (we called it
"DEROS" to "CONUS" or "Date Expected to Return
from Overseas to Continental United States"). He
was killed by a fragmentation grenade in Quang
Nam province on September 6, 1969; sixteen days
before he would have safely landed at home on
the Island.
Dan Pfister,
born in
Jacksonport, had been in the Army since 1955. He
was the oldest and first Door County vet to be
killed in Vietnam. Dan and I were attached
to the same MACVn command. We called him a
"Brown Boot" because once you're in Nam for over
a week you're boots are red-brown from the mud
in the rivers. Dan was a medic on an operation
out of Binh Thuan when he was first listed as
MIA but than the same day (June 18, 1968), his
body was recovered and he was official reported
as Killed in Action.
Philip Overbeck,
Son of Henry and
Thea, brother of William and Charles and Michael
and Margi and Elizabeth and Jennifer; a 1965
graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School, was the
fifth and last Door County vet to be Killed in
Action on June 10. 1970. Phil was a paratrooper
serving with the 173 Airborne Brigade, Company
B-4, 503 Infantry when he was killed by an
explosive device while on an operation out of
Binh Dinh. Phil's brothers William and
Charles are both Vietnam vets.
Lee landed
safely back in the U.S. February 9, 1969. I was
scheduled to go home November 10, 1968 but
extended my tour to get the --- who killed
Randy. I landed back in the U.S. January 10,
1970.
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Door County' Veteran
Operations
Would not have been possible
without the hard work and support of so many over the past year.
Following are just a few critical liaisons.
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From Door County's Veteran Service Office |
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From Iraq |
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From 1st Sergeant Thomas Blohowiak and his 372 Engineer Company... |
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and VFW District 8 Commander Steve Conto |
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with the 372 Engineer Co. (VERT) |
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The line at the WALL ran through LZ Lambeau. |
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Panel Patches by: Woody West |
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From Wisconsin National Guard and
Emergency Management |
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From Wisconsin Department of Homeland Security |
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From leaders of the World Credit Union Movement |
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From Lambeau Credit Union in Tobago |
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From Door County's Sheriff and our local and State Emergency
Management |
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From bikers across the State |
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From front-line firefighters |
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From LZ Lambeau planners and organizers |
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From fellow bikers across the US |
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From Northeast Wisconsin Bikers Association
Members |
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From Door County Motorcycle Clubs |
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From local radio stations |
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From my fellow VFW Post 8337 members |
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From the Door
Devils of Door County! |
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They're covering
our back! |
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Door Devil rider
Emmitt's sister-in-law was engaged to
Randy when he deployed to Nam. Randy was
killed the day after I landed in
country. |
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LZ Lambeau vets
will be flying Vietnam era aircraft! |
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We'll be building
ramps for the wall the week before! |
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Flyovers were friendly! |
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We're bonded through
generations of military service |
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We'll never be caught
off guard again! |
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Choppers provided LZ
Lambeau air cover! |
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Door
County Honor Riders answered roll-call well trained, properly
equipped, and mission ready to roll! |
Disclaimer:
As Nixon would say, I want it made it "perfectly clear"
that operations launched from this site are by one old
Vietnam Vet who's only interested in putting back
together the lives of his comrades who've been wounded
too often by politicians more interested in their
re-election than standing up for the Christian
principals on which our country has been built.
If my lack of tact or unconventional tactics offend you,
I apologize. It is precisely because of my passion at
times that I must clearly state so there can be no
misunderstanding; "I do not in any way, shape, form, or
fashion represent any veteran post of which I'm a
member, nor do I represent any credit union or credit
union affiliate for whom I've been privileged to work"
If you or any of your associates chose to follow any of
my recommendations or adopt any of my protocols, you do
it at your own risk. Now that that has been said, Let us
proceed full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes!
Rich Woldt -
Proud Army Strong Vietnam Vet |
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As each
deployment started
so it closed with a prayer to our
"Eternal God!"
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Prayer: Eternal God!
Written by: Pastor Roger Falk
AMVET Post 51
Prayed Graveside: 0600 Hours May 21, 2010
Eternal
God, Supreme Commander of us all, Lord of the
far-flung battle line, to whom all ranks of life
report, we bow before you with reverent hearts
and in sublime faith, knowing that you lead us
on in death as you do in life.
Once again
you ordered servants of our country to lay down
their arms and dwell forever with the unnumbered
multitude. Mindful of service nobly done, you
have called them to everlasting rest. You have
sealed their lips. You have called them to
eternal peace.
Hear now the
sorrows of those who mourn. Touch their tired
hearts with healing. Protect them with your holy
care. Keep clean and bright in memory the
splendid flame that now has flickered out!
Shelter us with your divine compassion. Join us
with those whose daily lives are an offering to
duty and their native land. Inspire us by their
example that we may die worthy of like service.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who gave
his life as a sacrifice for all mankind. Amen.
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For once I have to
come to
President
Obama's defense. He
doesn't deserve the
heat he's taking
over the change in
funeral protocol
that replaces "On
behalf of the
President" with "On
behalf of the
"Secretary of
Defense"
Click here and
you make the call.
But I will not cut
him any slack for
his apology to
Afghanistan's
President Karzai
when our troops
unintentionally
burned copies of the
Koran.
Click here
for an apology
that's more to my
liking. |
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