Military

Vietnam- and Korean War-era veterans are increasingly applying for health benefits in McLeod County, according to veterans services officer Jim Lauer.

His 2007 report, issued last week, notes these groups now outnumber World War II veterans seeking benefits. Lauer said World War II vets once represented the majority of people he served. But now that many Vietnam-era soldiers are nearing retirement age, Lauer said, “the Vietnam War vets are by far the majority.”

Master Sgt. Jeffrey Howell of Hutchinson is a 25-year Army veteran, having served in Vietnam, Iraq, Kosovo, Panama and Grenada. He knows even the toughest of soldiers appreciate a simple “thank you” for their service.

“There’s so many of us walking around who never hear that,” Howell said.

State Rep. Ron Shimanski co-sponsored a recent bill allowing county boards to set aside more money for Memorial Day observances. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the bill into law April 17.

Effective July 1, the bill increases the total amount counties can spend on Memorial Day observances from $2,000 to $3,500. The last time the amount was increased was in 1984. It also increases the amount counties can give to individual veterans service clubs — such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars — from $100 to $300.

Ninety-four National Guard soldiers with the Litchfield-based 849th Mobility Augmentation Company will be welcomed home tomorrow (April 30) after a 12-month deployment in Iraq. The ceremony will start at noon at the Litchfield Armory, 525 Gilman Ave. N.

The members of the 849th handled a number of assignments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including:
• establishing security and increasing development of an area of operations covering 33 square kilometers,

About 40 area National Guard soldiers will deploy to the U.S.-Mexico border this weekend for a two-week scheduled annual training exercise.

The soldiers will deploy from three companies, the Willmar-based headquarters of the 682nd Engineering Battalion, the Litchfield-based 849th Engineer Company and the Cambridge-based 850th Engineer Company.

They will support the ongoing Operation Jump Start to secure the border against illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Their mission will include installing anti-vehicle fences and road construction.

“This is a country of immigrants. Where’d you come from?” Michael Medina asked students and staff at Ridgewater College last Friday.

Medina, a Sleepy Eye native, was one of the five men who shared their experiences being Hispanic Americans in the U.S. military last Thursday.

The Veterans Diversity Panel, part of the college’s Multicultural Week, also included Nick Cisneros, Frank Cruz, Manny Aguirre and Ray Rangel. All the men are from the Midwest, mostly Minnesota and Iowa.

Carl MortensonSgt. Carl Mortenson was a devoted father, a proud soldier and fighter to the end, according to his family and friends. Mortenson died Saturday (March 1) at 27, following a 14-month battle with cancer.

“(He was) a friend to everyone,” recalled Greg Mortenson, Carl’s father. “There’s so many text messages on his phone, it’s unbelievable.”

Mortenson served in Iraq with the 682nd National Guard Engineering Unit. He deployed December 2003 and returned January 2005.

An American Legion national commander will visit Hutchinson American Legion Post 96 for the second consecutive year during his tour of Minnesota.

Martin “Marty” Conatser, a member of the Lincoln American Legion Post 102 in DeLand, Ill., will make Hutchinson one of his 16 stops in the state. He will have lunch here at noon Wednesday, Jan. 16. He will visit Stewart Post 125 at 10:30 a.m. Anyone interested in having lunch with the commander should call Post 96 at (320) 587-2665 for meal reservations.