Spirit of Freedom 2007
Throughout Veterans' Day weekend, fourteen Idahoans were honored for their efforts in military service and volunteering through The Spirit of Freedom: Idaho Veterans Service Award. Please review the short bios on each of the recipients to learn more about how much they have given to our country and its veterans.
Veterans:
Dan N. Arnold, Pocatello. Dan, a World War II combat veteran from Ogden, Utah, fought for our nation in one of the most historical days of World War II. He was assigned to the 526th ORD Tank Maintenance Company that landed at Normandy on D-Day. His tours included Northern France, Ardennes, Normandy, Rhineland and Central Europe. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, multiple service medals and the Bronze Arrowhead. In 1955, Dan and his wife moved their growing family to Idaho Falls. Dan’s wife of 55 years, Beatrice, is his close and constant companion. He says of her, “I have no regrets, other than: the girl I’m married to now – I wish I could have married her sooner.” Dan has lived a life of discipline and hard work and is a devoted family man with four children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of whom he is immensely proud. Dan’s life and character are that of a great American and a great Idahoan.
Stanley Meholchick, Caldwell. Stan has served his country and his fellow citizens in uniform and as a civilian. He spent four years in the Marine Corps which included service in Vietnam. He earned a Vietnamese Service Medal with two stars, a Good Conduct Medal and a Marksmanship Badge for the M-14 rifle, among others. Stan now serves his country as a civilian and other veterans, in particular. Stan helps out at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise and at the VA Medical Center. For the past nine years, Stan has sponsored a special fishing event at his pond. He makes elk chili for the fishermen and has even secured a donation for a modern handicapped restroom. He also invites veterans to come fish throughout the year to give them something a little different to do for an outing. He willingly shares his home, resources and time with fellow veterans in need. Stan served his country on the battlefield and does so at home today.
Robert C. Seal, Idaho Falls. Bob served on Active Duty with the Navy for 24 years, over the course of both the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. His distinguished military career included combat duty during Vietnam on the USS Enterprise. In total, he served aboard the following ships or submarines: the USS Enterprise, the USS Nimitz, and the USS South Carolina. Bob earned multiple medals and awards as a result of his exemplary military service including the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Expert Rifle and Pistol Medals and others. Bob holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Idaho. He is a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. Bob participates in several fraternal and community organizations and is particularly proud to be a Shriner because of the work the organization does for children at their hospitals. Bob and his wife, Glenna, live in Idaho Falls.
Lee C. Tackman, Boise. Lee, who says he hopes to live to be 120, has led an exemplary life over these first 88 years. Lee joined the National Guard in 1940 and was called up the next year. Lee served with the Army during World War II in New Guinea, the Philippines and was on duty as a corpsman in the hospital in Yokohoma, Japan, when doctors saved Japanese General Tojo’s life so he could stand trial. Lee donated a button from General Tojo’s trousers to a display of military artifacts at the Boise VA Medical Center. When obtaining this piece of history, Lee had the foresight to have Japanese maids sign the Japanese flag it was sown into to verify its authenticity in future years. Lee is a survivor—after being tossed overboard in a turbulent ocean, the crew of the ship failed to notice Lee’s absence for 30 minutes. They went back for him and found him, still alive. After the war, Lee couldn’t get the military out of his blood and re-enlisted with the Air Force. Lee has continued his service as a civilian, volunteering for 16 years now at the Boise VA Medical Center as a driver and in Recreation Therapy. He serves as a VA Voluntary Service Committee Deputy Representative for the Disabled American Veterans. Lee is a staunch defender of freedom and an example to us all.
Dennis Wallace, Boise. Dennis, an Operation Enduring Fr eedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, still serves with the Idaho Air National Guard. Over the course of his military service from 1993 in the Gulf with the Army to the conflict today with the Air Force, Dennis has earned a Bronze Star with Valor, Air Force and Army commendation medals with Oak Leaf Cluster, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, multiple campaign medals and the prestigious Purple Heart. For the past decade, Dennis has worked for the State of Idaho Military Division as a Military Policeman and he works part time for Ada County. He is highly-motivated: he obtained a Criminal Justice degree in 1999 from Boise State University and is currently working on an Associates Degree in Autobody and Collision Repair, also from BSU. In his relatively young life thus far, Dennis has displayed extraordinary valor and a commitment to his fellow citizens, both in the military and in his civilian work.
Gerold Wertz, Twin Falls. Gerold has a distinguished and exemplary military career. He first served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1937 to 1940. For three years and one month during World War II, Gerry’s service with the Army took him overseas to the South Pacific, New Guinea, East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago campaigns. During that time, Gerry earned, among others the Bronze Arrowhead, American Defense Service Medal, and the American Campaign Medal. He served in the Army reserves for over 20 years. Upon retirement, Gerry started a 28 ½ year career with the U.S. Postal Service. He did not stop serving his country and the military when he retired. Gerry served as the Commander of the Twin Falls American Legion for a total of eight years, and Commander of the Fifth District for one year. He is a lifetime member of both the Twin Falls American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served as the Twin Falls Post #7 Building Rental Manager for many years. In addition to serving veterans, Gerry served as Board Chairman at the Twin Falls Senior Center and tutored reading students at Lincoln Elementary for ten years. Gerry is a fine example of someone who puts country and community first.
Alvin C. Wutzke, Lewiston. Alvin, a World War II veteran, served our nation for over 23 ½ years on active duty. He retired as a Major in the Army, with many awards to his name including multiple campaign medals, multiple service medals, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
Volunteers
Louis Bednar, Boise. Louis knows the military well, having spent time in World War II in Europe and as a Prisoner of War. He also served as an Army National Guardsman, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class E-7. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Louis attended Panzer College in East Orange, New Jersey, and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Health. That same year, he married Ludmilla Cernak. He then attended New York University School of Education and received a Masters of Art in Physical Education and Health in 1950. Louis and Ludmilla moved to Idaho and he began his Idaho teaching career in the Boise School District in 1953, teaching in Garfield Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School and then Whitney Elementary School until his retirement. Louis is a past and current member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, currently serving as the State Hospital Chairman overseeing the Spokane VA Medical Center, the Salt Lake VA Medical Center, the Walla Walla VA Medical Center and, of course, the Boise VA Medical Center. Louis has accrued almost 7,000 hours of service to Idaho and Northwest veterans, and has served veterans at the Boise VA Medical Center for over 11 years. His volunteer time includes escorting patients to various doctors and clinics, running errands and carrying messages. Louis and Ludmilla have five children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Richard Cirell, Boise. Richard is a model of support and assistance to his fellow veterans. Like many volunteers, Richard served with the Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant while serving in Denver and then Korea from 1968 – 1971. He then worked as a driver for the Navy. Upon arriving in Boise in 1994, Richard came to the Boise VA Medical Center for services and as a volunteer. Richard has over come many obstacles and now drives his fellow veterans to appointments and events. He is a proud father and a very proud grandfather. He staunchly lives up to his conviction that his role is to “be there” for his fellow veterans. His smile, care, reliability and kindness make Richard an outstanding example of service to our Idaho veterans and our country.
Darlene Fullmer, Idaho Falls. Darlene’s humble attitude masks themagnitude of what she has done over the past few years. She dove into veterans activities in 2006 with vigor and absolute commitment. Darlene helped get Idaho Falls Chapter 972 of the Vietnam Veterans of America off the ground. She is serving in her second term as President of the AVVA. Darlene has performed all manner of work in support of veterans in Southeastern Idaho including photographing events, working at the rest stop along I-15, stuffing envelopes, welcoming soldiers home at the airport, color guard, making flag covers, sewing patches, organizing holiday events, taking donations, visiting schools with soldiers to educate our children about the essential role of our military in defending and protecting our freedom, and many other support and advocacy functions on behalf of veterans. Darlene said, “It is my pleasure to help support the veterans in whatever way I can, and I’m glad to do so.” She is an example for all of us.
Raymond L. Gault, Pocatello. Ray has served his country and fellowcitizens in uniform and out. When he retired from the army in 1971 as a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he ended active duty service and picked up on the civilian side, helping veterans. After leaving a remarkable legacy at his local Wisconsin VFW Post Home, Ray moved to Pocatello and became involved with the Pocatello VFW Post 735. He has spent the last 13 years serving veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello and in the local community. He has been involved in a number of events and projects including the Homeless Stand Down, any major events at the Veterans Home, memorial services and outings. He helps with Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and Fleet Reserve Association projects. Ray is the Chairman of Idaho Veterans Assistance League and has been on the Board for over 12 years. Those who work with Ray have said it best: "Ray us a straight-shooter. He is a strong advocate for fairness, and a guardian for the men and women who have served our nation honorably."
Dennis Jablonski, Pocatello. Dennis has used his business to reach out to veterans in Southeastern Idaho. He served in Vietnam with the Air Force as a Staff Sergeant, and, ever since, he has made serving other veterans a priority. Just this past Memorial Day, Dennis crea ted a four foot by eight foot sign, at cost and with only 24 hours of lead time, for the Pocatello Field of Heroes event. In addition, Den nis purchased flag lapel pins to hand out to everyone who signed the sign which, by the end of the weekend event, had names all over it. He con sistently rushes orders that are for veterans and donates signs for most all veterans’ events in Bannock County and the surrounding area. His laugh and willing spirit to serve is well-known; he can be counted on to make events an d projects successful and meaningful. Dennis is a true friend to his fellow Idaho veterans.
Christina Scales, Boise. Christina cares deeply, both about veterans and their families. She has committed herself to ensuring that the Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise has a strong and thriving family support program. In fact, Christina started the very successful Veterans Family Support Group and is very active in the Forever Yours program. The Family Support Program meets twice monthly to address issues facing the veterans living in the Home. Christina also arranges for speakers to come to these meetings, organizes the luncheons and reaches out to spouses of newly-admitted veterans. The Forever Yours program provides the veterans and their spouses with a special dinner on their anniversary. She contributes mightily to the Activities Department and volunteers on Fridays at the Fort Boise Canteen. Christina’s compassion and selflessness make a tremendous difference in the lives of the veterans at the Home and their families.
Lucille Scott, Lewiston. Lucille, devoted wife of the late World War II veteran Cecil Scott, found her veteran volunteer calling when herhusband was admitted to the Idaho State Veterans Home Lewiston in 1994. Thirteen years and 5,529 hours of volunteer service later, Lucille still actively works to support veterans in the Lewiston area. She works with veterans at the home in many ways, from playing Bingo and Pinochle with the residents to helping set up and take down from Bingo, music programs, holiday events and the Veterans Olympics. Lucille takes her service outside the Veterans Home, taking residents out to dinner and shopping. She attends facility outings to help residents when they go to the County Fair, the Lewiston Rodeo Round-up Parade, and make trips to the museum. Lucille’s warm smile, selfless actions and kind words lift the hearts of the residents, helping their days become a bit brighter.
