By Curt Hendel
Veterans Writer
In May of 2014, a project was started between the Nobles County Review, Argonne Post 32 in Adrian, and myself. This project became a monthly Veteran’s Page that was printed consistently for over three years. What started as a small idea certainly gained footing and left a nice impression in our communities.
Since that first one, we have printed over forty of these Veteran’s Pages. The page has covered complete families that served their country in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The lion’s share of these veterans have been from World War II until today, but all eras have been represented. The eldest was a member of the Wolf family that was a Civil War Veteran. We have also found many veterans of World War I in our ranks.
Service to the United States has been the backbone of our nation and the tremendous opportunities and freedoms that we hold dear. No matter if you volunteer or are drafted, honorable service is to be commended and appreciated. The Veteran’s Page has been dedicated to telling the stories of all who raised their right hand and swore to defend their nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
Unfortunately this project is looking like it is in the final phases. We have missed several editions over the last eight months and we always agreed that when that time happened we would be willing to let the project end. I do have several profiles that I am waiting on to run, as I do not have enough for a page, but it has become hard to stay consistent.
When the Veteran’s Page does end the profiles will not just disappear in to history. They will all be compiled into book form and will serve as a historical volume of military history of Western Nobles County. If you have yet to get information in to us, please consider doing it. The story of you or your family member deserves to stand with all of the others that have served honorably.
As this project winds down, I want to thank each and every one of you who allowed me to learn just a bit about you and your family’s history. It has been an absolute honor to be trusted with this personal information and to be allowed to tell your story. I hope that those of you that have yet to jump in decide to make that choice, every one deserves just a bit of recognition for their part in defense of our country.
