Spirit of Freedom 2008
On November 10-11 , sixteen 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:
Cedric DeCory - The son of an Air Force Sergeant, Cedric himself joined the Air Force in 1987, serving in Desert Storm before he separated from the military in 1993. He started a career as a Medical Benefits Officer in Boise while serving as a volunteer firefighter for Eagle and a CPR/First Aid instructor for the American Red Cross. In 1999, Cedric joined the Veterans Administration as a Medical Service Assistant and works in the V.A.’s Behavioral Health Department. In addition to his regular work duties, Cedric serves as the Special Emphasis Program Manager for Native American Veterans, the Sweat Lodge Therapy Program Manager/Facilitator and the coordinator for the VISN 20’s Camp Chaparral PTSD training. He serves on the V.A.’s Equal Employment Opportunity committee, National Diversity Subcommittee for Native American Veterans, the Northwest Indian Veterans Association and is a member of the Yakima Warriors Association. Cedric devotes considerable time and resources to veterans, and has become an expert in helping Native American veterans in particular.
John B Dunlap - A 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, John served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He joined the Navy in 1951 and served his country with great distinction earning multiple service and campaign medals, ribbons and citations. Retiring from the military did not end John’s service to his country. He has served fellow veterans for the past 27 years in Post Falls, working through the American Legion, Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, the city and local schools. John provides food and clothing to homeless veterans and provides meals to the families of active duty military members who are deployed. He even provides Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, free of charge, to over 500 people and a special Christmas party for children. John answers the call of faith to feed the hungry, and clothe those who need it in a direct way.
John (Jack) J. Higgins - Jack joined the Navy as an aviator in 1956. He served in Vietnam doing joint special operations duties with the Army, the Air Force and the Vietnamese Air Force. After 26 years in the U.S. Navy as an aviator, numerous war decorations and a Purple Heart, he retired and became an international business consultant. Jack has a heart for veterans, especially those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He is a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Naval Order of the United States and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. After moving to Boise in 1991, Jack became involved in the Community Service Project in conjunction with Walter Jackson to help veterans suffering from PTSD. He has served as a volunteer at the Idaho State Veterans Home since 1994. Jack’s commitment to his fellow veterans is evident in his volunteer efforts. In him, veterans find a friend—someone who can empathize with their experiences and challenges.
Vernon Perkins - A Navy pilot in World War II, Vern completed his active duty service in 1945 and immediately joined the Navy Reserves and remained until 1961. As a civilian, he worked for GMAC for over 30 years. Vern devotes many hours to the Cemetery and to its many visitors. He works at the Visitors’ Center, helps assemble people for funerals, leads the processionals to the Committal Shelter and helps with the scattering of remains in the Scatter Garden. Vern ensures that visitors understand and respect the sacredness of the Cemetery and that the services conform to the standards of respect and equality for all interred. Vern effectively manages different challenges that arise at the cemetery, and he regularly takes visitors and family members on tours of the grounds. Vern works hard to provide outstanding help and comfort to all who visit the Cemetery.
Tom Ressler - Tom joined the Air Force in the beginning of major hostilities during the Vietnam War. He served for five years in Thailand during the war, and went on to spend a total of 31 years in active duty service to his country. He achieved the prestigious rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted rank attainable. During his military service, Tom earned many medals and was awarded the 366th Wing First Sergeant of the Year in 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1992, 12th Air Force First Sergeant of the Year in 1987 and 1989, Idaho Governor’s Active Duty Military Person of the Year in 1991 and the Idaho State Veterans Home Volunteer of the Year in 1993. He has faithfully given his time to the Idaho State Veterans Home for over 20 years. He also volunteers in many other ways, especially on the benefits’ side of veterans affairs—one of the more challenging aspects to veterans services. As a close friend recently observed, Tom is truly a “veteran’s veteran.”
L. Leath Robbins - When Leath was in his early twenties, he joined the Army Air Corps and served as a co-pilot on a B-24 during World War II. Based in Italy, Leath flew over 40 bombing missions to Austria, Romania and northern Italy, targeting oil fields, refineries and aircraft manufacturing and assembly plants. He and his fellow crew members encountered intense German fighter aircraft defense during these raids. One particularly harrowing mission was heralded in the newspaper, in an article entitled “Came in on a Wing and Some Nerve.” After separating from the Army Air Corps in October of 1945, Leath obtained a degree in Optometry from Northern Illinois College. He returned to his hometown of Pocatello in 1948 to set up a practice and raise his family. Leath retired in 1987. He has devoted time to his community over the years by volunteering with the Rotary Club, several local organizations and church groups.
Max L. Stewart - Max joined the Army in 1943, serving in the 10th Mountain Division in the packer artillery. He served throughout the remainder of World War II, leaving the Army in late 1945 as a Sergeant. During his military service, Max earned a number of service medals and ribbons. The year after he separated from the Army, he married Ardith Trotter. Max and Ardith returned to Idaho and lived in Lewiston, then Orofino, and back to Lewiston where he lives today. He worked for Clearwater Light and Power as a lineman and retired in 1981. Max enjoyed hunting, fishing and working outdoors, and was a very accomplished electrician and carpenter. He has lived in the Veterans Home for about a year now. Max served our nation, both in combat and as a strong family man and good citizen.
Jeffrey Sugai-Jeff joined the Air Force immediately following his graduation from high school in 1964. He served until 1969, stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina and then overseas in Vietnam. In 1972, Jeff joined the Air National Guard, was recalled to active duty in 1988, and retired in 2003. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter #22 Albert Jardine in Boise. Jeff serves as a constant resource to veterans young and old, helping them complete paperwork and resolve other benefits’ issues. He represents what is best about our nation’s military members—even after years of active duty service, he continues to connect to veterans, helping them access the care and benefits they have so diligently earned.
Robert B Taylor- Robert graduated from high school in 1954 in Glenns Ferry. He immediately joined the Marines and served in Japan, California and Texas and in Operation Starlight, the first offensive operation of the Vietnam War. Robert continued his honorable and prestigious service to our country with two full tours in Vietnam, including one when he was wounded. Robert was honorable discharged after 16 years of service and became a truck driver and heavy equipment operator in the Idaho Falls region. He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Robert served his country with distinction, integrity and honor. He remains happily married and lovingly devoted to, in his words, his “soul mate for 38 years,” LaDonna.
Volunteers
Fran King - Fran is a person with a very special gift: a heart to serve people who suffer some of the most terrible aging diseases—those of the mind. Fran devotes much of her time to patients in the Secure Care Unit at the Idaho State Veterans Home—those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. She provides familiarity and calm in what is often the confusing and sometimes frightening world of these diseases. In addition, Fran reaches out to veterans through the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, the annual Stand Down for homeless and financially-struggling veterans, and her weekly work at the Idaho Military History Museum. Fran has a heart for service and a compassion for veterans in particular. Her presence offers those who are suffering healing, peace and quietude. Her gifts of time and energy cannot be valued in any worldly terms.
Juanita Kudronowicz - A native Idahoan, Juanita completed high school in Lapwai and graduated in 1952. She married Ambrose Kudronowicz in 1955 and spent the next decade moving across the country as an Air Force spouse. They had six children during this time, and Juanita became her children’s biggest sports fan, a self-described “Professional Bench Warmer.” She spent 28 years working as an Occupational Health Nurse at Potlatch, retiring in 1996. Juanita belonged to the Women of the Moose and held a number of offices including Senior Regent. She joined the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served in all the State Chairs. In order to advocate for the needs of all seniors, Juanita joined the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in 2000. Since that time, she has volunteered in over 40 activities. Juanita is a tremendous comforter and friend to veterans, the elderly, children and others in need and is a role model for all of us.
H. Norris Lynch (Posthumous Award) - Like many recipients of the Spirit of Freedom Volunteer award, Norris served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Mary Lou Connors in 1952 and worked for Mountain Bell for 29 years, retiring in 1982. Norris had a distinguished history of service to veterans. He was named “Idaho Statesman Distinguished Citizen” in 1991 and received the State of Idaho Military Division Distinguished Service Medal in 2007. He served with the Sons of the American Revolution Old Fort Boise Chapter and with the Boise Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Executive Committee. He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association and the American Legion John Regan Post #2. Norris was known throughout his community as a man with a helping heart and a lifelong commitment to serving others. He served his country well and was an outstanding friend to veterans and those in need.
Linda Mims - As the young daughter of a World War II disabled Navy Veteran, Linda would visit with patients at VA Medical Centers in Florida and then, as she grew older, in California and Idaho. She joined the Army in 1978. While stationed at Fort McClellan in Alabama, Linda was named “Female Soldier of the Year for Meddac.” When Linda completed her active duty military service and returned to Idaho, she made it a priority to visit disabled veterans in their homes, nursing homes and care centers as well as at the West Valley Medical Center and the Boise V.A. Medical Center. Linda is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and serves at the Idaho State Veterans Home, and the Boise VA Medical Center. The veterans and their families in the Treasure Valley, young and old, have been and continue to be truly blessed by Linda’s incredible commitment, sacrifice and heart for service.
Delbert A. Norman - Delbert joined the Navy in 1941 and served with the Military Sea Transport Service. During his years of service during World War II, he served aboard a number of Navy vessels including the USS Catalpa, the USS Peter H. Burnett, and the USS Missoula. He earned a number of service and campaign medals during the war. For many years, Delbert has been an active volunteer for veterans in the Blackfoot area. He has devoted many hours, his talents, energy and resources to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), the American Legion and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. Delbert served on the Blackfoot Honor Guard at veterans’ funerals and memorial services. Now a resident of the Veterans’ Home, Delbert began volunteering there when it opened in 1992. He supported fundraisers, and numerous special programs designed to enhance the quality of life of those living in the Home. And, although he lives at the Home, he still participates as best he can in the activities of the Blackfoot Elks, VFW and American Legion.
Chester Kenneth Smith, Jr - Ken served a tour of duty during World War II with the U.S. Navy. Upon completion of his military service, Ken returned to Idaho, married and began a 30 year career with Mountain Bell Telephone Company. In 2007, Ken began volunteering at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery assisting at the Visitors’ Center, helping assemble people for funerals, leading the processional to the Committal Shelter and carefully ensuring that all honors and respect are maintained throughout the services. Ken treats family and friends who visit the cemetery with extra care. Many visitors don’t know that Ken does this despite the fact that he is a double amputee. His daughter, Sandy, once told a reporter, “You'd never know it to look at him. He took care of Mom when she was dying, and he still lives at home and takes care of himself. He's as independent - and patriotic - as anyone I've ever known." Ken understands the importance of a dignified resting place and the honor and reverence of the Cemetery.
LaDonna Taylor - Always a supporter of the military and with a special place in her heart for Vietnam Veterans, LaDonna joined the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA). LaDonna has made it her goal to establish a complementary Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America in Idaho Falls—the first one in the State of Idaho. She serves as the state representative to AVVA and is the Vice President of the new AVVA local chapter. LaDonna also reaches out to veterans through her work with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving as Treasurer of the Rigby post. She has committed her time and heart to improving the lives of veterans from all wars, setting a wonderful example for others. Her leadership has made the difference in many ways for veterans and their families in Eastern Idaho.
