Engelhardt returns to his alma mater for Veterans Day salute; eight receive Quilts of Valor

In observance of Veterans Day, the Postville High School Student Council hosted the 42nd Annual Veterans Day Program last Thursday in the high school gym.

The program began with patriotic selections by the high school band under the direction of Shauna Marie Johnsen.  The Color Guard, members of the local American Legion Post, presented the flags, followed by the National Anthem.

High school students Lakken Cox, Emma Heins and Diego Nunez explained the meaning of Veterans Day. The band played “A Salute to America’s Finest” as veterans were asked to stand when their ‘official’ song was played.

Kevin Engelhardt, PHS 1985

The speaker, Kevin Engelhardt, who graduated from Postville High School in 1985, and is currently a corrections officer in Pennsylvania, thanked all veterans and expressed how honored he felt to be able to pay tribute to local veterans in his hometown.

He said, “I am proud to call Postville home and am thankful for the people here. I was honored to serve our country in the Marines.”

He added, “I followed in my dad’s footsteps as a Marine and it meant a lot to me to be able to spend time in some of the same places where he served. My time in the Marines was very special and it was an honor to serve.”

Vocal selections included “O America” by the high school chorus; “Thank a Vet” by the fifth and sixth grade; “This is My Country” by the second, third and fourth grades and “Thank You to Our Veterans by the kindergarten and first graders. The vocal music director is April Kruckman.

Cindy Berns explained the  Quilts of Valor program. As she read information about each of the eight recipients, several of the women who make the quilts presented them to the following veterans:

Roger Engelhardt was a corporal E-4 who served four years in the Marine Corps. He spent two years in the Far East at various duty stations, and two years in the states at various duty stations. He was awarded rifle and pistol shooting awards. His quilt was made by Betty Foels and quilted by Shirley Harwood.

Burnell Sander was an Army Private First Class. He served from 1954-1956 during the Korean War/Conflict. He was in Korea and Japan. He was “Special Category Army Reassigned  with Air Force” (SARAF) in Korea. He worked in supply. His quilt was made by Madonna Stumme and quilted by Shirley Harwood.

Harlan White was a SP4 in the Army during the Vietnam era, from 1961-1964. He was three years active and three years inactive standby. He was stationed in Augsburg and Munich Germany. He received the Good Conduct Medal, US Army Medal, 724 Ordinance Medal. He was in the 24th Infantry Division. His quilt was made by Jane Blumhagen and quilted by Shirley Harwood.

Robert Wedo was a PFC in the army from 1956-1957. He was stationed in Panama He was in the Quarter Master Corps. His quilt was made by Barb Gericke and quilted by Sue Lynch.

Calvin Foels was in the Navy from 1966-1970 during the Vietnam war. He trained in Aviation  Ordinance. He served aboard the USS America CVA66. He did tours in the Mediterranean and Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam . He received a service medal with a bronze star and a Navy Unit Commendation Medal. His quilt was made by Rita Anderson and quilted by Shirley Harwood.

Burnell Koth served in he Navy from 1963-1967 in the Vietnam War. He was on the USS Boxer Lph-4. He was an Engine man 3rd Class. He received a Navy Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and a National Defense Service Medal. His quilt was made by Cindy Berns and quilted by Sue Lynch.

Terry McNally enlisted in the army in the summer of 1972. He was a truck and tank mechanic with the First Infantry Division. Areas of service included West Germany, France, and Panama. He was discharged in the summer of 1975. That same summer he joined the National Guard and later the Army Reserves. He had peace time deployments to West Germany, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala. He served a total of 24 years. He received sharp shooter awards for a M-16 Rifle and M-60 Machine Gun, good driver award for wheel vehicles, Good Conduct Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, Humanitarian Award Medal. He received ribbons for two deployments to Europe during peace time and for four deployments  to Central America during peace time. His quilt was made by his wife, Kaylene McNally and quilted by Sue Lynch. It was presented by his wife, Kaylene and daughters, Melissa and Mandi.

Kevin Engelhardt was a Corporal E-4 who served four years in the Marines during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He was in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. He received a Certificate of Commendation, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal. He was an advance party driver and made sure their perimeter was safe before bringing in the rest of the unit. His quilt was made by Linda Hughes and quilted by Linda Monroe.

To conclude the program, Postville junior Drew Lubka led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Colors were retired and those in attendance reassembled outside for the Salute to the Dead and the playing of Taps which was played Nick Jacobs and Travis Fish.