by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Local Vietnam War veterans were honored during an event Saturday, March 25 at the National Guard Armory in Thief River Falls.
“Our country, our families and our children owe a debt of gratitude to you,” said Robert Buresh with Knights of Columbus Council 4619.
Vietnam War veterans were honored with certificates commemorating their service. In addition, they were encouraged to seek veterans assistance for which they may be eligible. They and their families were also provided lunch.
In 2008, the National Defense Authorization Act empowered the secretary of defense to conduct a program on behalf of the nation that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. By presidential proclamations on May 25, 2012 and Nov. 20, 2017, the commemoration extends from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025. March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Honored veterans served in any capacity from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.
“All were called to serve and all were seen in the same way by the country that could not separate the war from the warrior,” Buresh said.
More than 11,000 organizations across the country are holding events to recognize Vietnam veterans. The Knights of Columbus Council 4619, American Legion Post 117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2793 and Disabled American Veterans hosted the local event, which featured guest speaker Dan Stenvold.
Stenvold, an Army crew chief, served three tours and 402 days in the jungle. He spent his 19th, 20th and 21st birthdays in Vietnam. The Park River, N.D., resident serves on the national board of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
During one particular battle in which they were almost overrun by an estimated 1,500 North Vietnamese, Stenvold made a promise. “I made a deal with God, the great Lord, that if he let me live through that, I would help every veteran I could for as long as I could,” he said. “I feel like I’ve just about fulfilled my promise.”
Stenvold urged the veterans and their families to seek veterans assistance for which they may be eligible. He referred to assistance for exposure to Agent Orange, to cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or to obtain eyeglasses or hearing aids. Stenvold encouraged them to contact their veterans service officers. He noted that Vietnam veterans may feel like they don’t deserve assistance, but they earned it.
Stenvold was one of 42 million people who have served during a time of war since the birth of the United States. Of that number, 58,726 lost their lives during the Vietnam War and their names are now inscribed on the Vietnam War Memorial. Their average age is 23, according to Buresh. More than 350,000 Americans were wounded during the Vietnam War and many tens of thousands were disabled. A total of 1,587 are still considered missing in action.
The true cost of war is intangible. Buresh said, “It is not measured in dollars and cents, but in lives, neighbors, friends, family who come home with seen and unseen scars that need mending and extensive care, or do not come home at all.”
The honored Vietnam War veterans included John Anderson, Elroy Aune, Michael Baumann, Earl Berg, Wayne Berglund, James Bernat, Richard Blazek, Francis Brda, Jim Butler, Lee Carriere, David Christinson, Thomas Conway, Larry Dakken, James Erickson, Ken Froschheiser, Eugene Fulden, Edward Gronewold, Daniel Harris, Robert Helgeland.
Jon Hirst, Carl Hugg, Wayne Jacobson, James Jirava, Larry Kaiser, Jerel Kilen, Joseph Kilen, Gerald Kostrzewski, Mark Kujava, Philip Kuznia, David Larson, James Larson, Kent LeMoine, Donovan Loeslie, Kenneth Mathews, Donald Mattson, Dennis McCullough, Jack McDonald, James McDonald, Allen Melbye, Lalyn Monsrud, Marvin Neste, Warren Olson, Rodney Paulson, Douglas Pomplun, Adrian Pulczinski, Timothy Radniecki.
Roger Ryba, James Rystad, Jerome Schindler, Wallace Sjaaheim, Wayne Smith, Edward Solvig, Dan Stenvold, Steve Stone, Julian Stusynski, Joseph Tulibaski, LeRoy Vigen, Larry Young and James Yutrzenka.
The families of the following deceased Vietnam War veterans were also honored: Gail Boice, Dale Davis, Lou Efta, Ken Fort, Milo Holmstad, Duane Kotrba, Eddy Lien and Thomas Miller.