Remembering, honoring those who served

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Frank Lehman, master of ceremonies of the Spencer Veterans Day event salutes. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Things are going OK, relatively speaking here…I see more courage in a day than I could ever have imagined before this. You inspire me to keep on going out here. You've made it so much easier for me to see the big picture as I go through life. That service to God and others is what matters."

This West Point graduate was later killed when his convoy was hit by an explosive device east of Bagdad, Iraq.

(Photo submitted) Spencer's Hy-Vee, along with others across the state, honored America's vets on Veterans Day with a free breakfast for four hours in appreciation of their service to the country. [Click to enlarge]

The following words are from a letter written home by Army Private Timothy G. Robinson of Hoyt Lakes, Minn.

"Remember when we were kids. On Easter the girls would be all dressed up in new hats, pretty dresses…and us boys with new shoes and shirts, and off to church we would go and after come home to look for our Easter baskets. What good times. I only God will bring me back home so that I may marry the girl I love, which will be in March if things go OK. Then I can watch my kids get all dressed up and head for church and live that day over again. Holidays are no different than any other day. Every day is Monday in Vietnam."

Five days after writing this letter, Private Robinson caught his foot on a trip wire, setting off a mine that killed him instantly.

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Local veterans comprise the color guard. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"Now I would like you to take a journey back with me to the summer of 1972 to Udorn Royal Thai AFB, Thailand. In the early morning darkness, the air was still heavy from last night's monsoon rains.

"Captain Pete Cleary and Captain Lenny Lenore had just finished going over the final details for the day's combat mission over southern North Vietnam. Their job as fast FACS (Forward Air Controllers) was to locate enemy targets and direct friendly fighters to destroy them. Nothing about this mission would be planned much differently than any of the many others they had flown together, even though this was Captain Cleary's EOT (End of Tour). flight.

"Pete and Lenny launched into the early morning darkness and within minutes were refueling their F-4 Phantom jet fighter over Ubon, Thailand. After refueling, they would point northeast and cross Laos on their flight into southern North Vietnam. There would take place the so called 'Meat of the Mission.'

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Darrell Tonderum and Gale Igou raise the flag at the Clay County Veterans Memorial site. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"The sun was just poking over the horizon.

"Meanwhile back on the ground at Pete and Lenny's squadron, a young Lieutenant Smith was preparing for the post flight celebration for Pete. A young Thai girl would place a flower lei around Pete's neck, the squadron commander would offer his bon voyage, and all available squadron members would gather around to bid farewell. Pete would be going home.

(Photo submitted) Local veterans took part in a Veterans Day Program at St. Luke Lutheran Home. Glen Pedersen American Legion Post No. 1 members took part in the event. Pictured veterans include: John Knode, Lester McMillen, Bob Stewart, Wayne Peters, Don Torreson, Gene McGaughlin, Irving Merrill, George Fieselmann, Jim Treinen, Scooter Zahrt, Larry Stanislav, LeRoy Spears, Bob Faulkender, Jack St. Peters and Ken Heimgartner. [Click to enlarge]

"As Pete and Lenny's comrades gathered on the flight line to greet them on their return, the word arrived from the base command post that all contact had been lost with Laredo 31 - the mission call sign for Captains Cleary and Lenore. Without so much as a distress call, they were never heard from again.

"Pete's wife would never again feel the closeness and warmth of his embrace. His young children would not have the security of a father to give comfort during childhood's tearful moments. Lenny's philosophies on life would go forever untested.

"Captain Peter Cleary and Captain Leonardo Lenore are still listed as missing in action."

A brief description of what happened in January 1968.

"The crew of the U.S. Navy ship Pueblo was taken prisoner by the North Koreans. Just prior to the North Korean Navy's boarding of the ship, a young Navy seaman frantically transmitted that they were about to be captured. Classified information was hurridly being destroyed. One last message was sent before the radio frequency went dead. 'God Bless America.'"

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) One of the special momuments at the Clay County Veterans Memorial, reminding everyone of the ultimate sacrifice given by some. [Order this photo]