Spirit of Freedom 2010

On November 11, 2010, 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 regarding each of the recipients to learn more about their significant contributions to our country and its veterans.

Jimmy R. Berkley, Twin Falls: Jimmy Berkley’s untiring and diligent efforts as an Air Traffic Control Radio Repairman for the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War were commended as enabling air operations at all times under the most adverse weather and combat conditions at the combat base where he was stationed. He was also recognized for “performing the work of two skilled personnel in a cheerful professional manner.”

Following his military service, Jimmy returned to Twin Falls, where he was employed at Amalgamated Sugar Company for thirty-two years. He is an active member in four veterans service groups and a board member for the Twin Falls Veterans Health Commission. He also oversees the maintenance and operation of two local cemeteries, and he is a member of the Magic Valley honor guard, performing Military Rites at veterans’ funerals in the Twin Falls area. Jimmy Berkley continues to carryout outstanding and dedicated service, and he was recently awarded the title of “Marine of the Year” for the Department of Idaho. It is an honor to present Jimmy Berkley with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award for his outstanding service to our nation.

Ronald L. Coryell, Boise: Ron Coryell has an extraordinary giving spirit and strength. Despite battling Parkinson’s disease, he has dedicated hundreds of hours to serving fellow veterans. Ron served in the U.S. Navy from 1973 to 1981, during which time he served on the USS Oriskany, USS Hollister and the USS Henderson. Ron served as a machinery repairman. Ron has dedicated considerable time to working with recreation therapy at the Boise VA Medical Center, where he visits community living center veterans, helps set up programs, works with veterans groups and participates in and assists in community-based programs.

Ron indicates that he volunteers to pay back for the service rendered to him after his motorcycle accident in 2008 that required a six-month stay at the VA Medical Center. Ron tries to visit with people who may not have family or others that stop by. This year, Ron completed a cross-country motorcycle trip to Niagara Falls and back in spite of his previous accident and long recovery. It is an honor to recognize Ron Coryell’s continued exemplary service through the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Gerald Lee Hendrickson, Pocatello: Gerry served in the U.S. Army for twenty years, and his specialties included serving as a Petroleum Storage Specialist, AR Unit Supply Specialist, Inventory Clerk and as an Oil Dispatcher. He served during the Vietnam War, and he spent six months as a door gunner on helicopters and six months as a ground trooper. Gerry earned a number of service and campaign medals throughout his distinguished service that took him all over the world, including Germany, Italy, Korea, Vietnam and Colorado.

Gerry graduated from Fairbury High School in Fairbury, Kansas, where he earned four letters in basketball, joined the military at age nineteen and married at the age of twenty-five. He has four daughters, eleven grandchildren and one great grandson. Gerry was nominated for this award for his service as a Resident Council Member at the Idaho State Veterans Home-Pocatello, his service in Vietnam, and his great attitude toward staff at the home and his fellow veterans. Gerry Hendrickson has dedicated many years of his life to noble service to our nation, and it is an honor to present him with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Homer H. Kling, Lewiston: Ninety-four-year-old Lewiston native, Homer Kling, served in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard as a gunner and guard defending merchant ships during World War II. When the ships were in port, he served on guard duty. On the day Japan surrendered, effectively ending the war, Homer was in San Francisco aboard a U.S. troop ship with approximately 1000 angry servicemen, who were not permitted to leave the ship to join in the celebration as they were destined for Peleliu to provide replacement troops. Homer earned multiple metals for his distinguished service to our nation.

Homer’s hard work continued long after the end of the war. Homer’s work included working as a logger, sharpening saws for Potlatch Corporation, making cedar posts, ranching and selling Shaklee products for thirty-six years. Homer raised four daughters with his late wife, Eva, whom he married in 1946. Homer remarried in 1995, and his late wife Mable Bott had two daughters and a son. Homer Kling’s exemplary service is commendable, and it is an honor to present him with a 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Martimiano “Marty” Salinas, Blackfoot: Marty Salinas served in the U.S. Army in Thailand on the Mekong River as a dump truck driver as part of an engineering company during the Vietnam War, and he has been recognized for his tireless service to veterans. Following his fondness for truck driving, after his military service, Marty worked at a local and long-haul truck driver and as an electrical and commercial refrigeration mechanic. After living in Texas, Marty and his family returned to Idaho, where he was raised as a migrant farm worker. He is an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of American and other veterans groups.

Marty is described as always being the first to volunteer for projects that are specifically designated to benefit veterans and consistently offers fresh ideas. Marty enjoys greeting returning servicemen and servicewomen at the Idaho Falls airport, and he has been there many early mornings and late evenings to greet returning heroes. Marty also has an outstanding partner, his wife Yolanda, who participates in the events with him and ensures that he is able to get to the events. On Memorial Day, the two of them organized and conducted veterans remembrance services at the Blackfoot Cemetery. Marty has a very charitable spirit. Despite the considerable time he devotes to fellow veterans, Marty indicates that he wishes he could do more. He said he wants to do it, and it makes him feel useful. Marty and Yolanda truly strengthen our community, and I am honored to present Marty with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Gina Stamper, Boise: Gina Stamper’s unyielding service started young. She enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at the age of seventeen, requiring her mother’s signature. Gina served stateside during the Gulf War. While serving in communications for search and rescue missions at Air Station Port Angeles Washington, her outstanding handling of a particularly tragic search and rescue case, in which civilian lives were saved and three of her guardsman colleagues perished, earned her a Cost Guard Commandant’s Letter of Commendation medal. Her persistence, discipline and professionalism, despite considerable obstacles, were cited in the commendation.

For nearly ten years, Gina has worked as a Veterans Service Officer for the Idaho Division of Veterans Service, and she is known for her willingness to go the extra mile for her clients. Gina is the Idaho State Veterans Home – Boise service officer, and she works to ensure that the residents receive their earned benefits. Gina also serves as the State’s Women Veterans Coordinator and spearheaded Idaho’s first women veterans conference in 2008. Gina’s twelve-year-old son, Brandon, is her pride and joy. Gina’s parents also live in Boise, and her brother and sister-in-law live in Nampa. Gina’s exemplary service warrants recognition, and it is an honor to present Gina Stamper with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

William R. Stevens, Sandpoint: William Steven left for Marine Corps Boot Camp right out of high school and served in the Marines for twenty years, including serving on the USS Oriskany and in Da Nang during the Vietnam War. William provided exemplary service to our nation earning numerous achievement, service and campaign medals, ribbons and awards. His military career took him all over the nation and the world, including Arizona, California, Hawaii, North Carolina, Minnesota, Virginia, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. However, he returned to the place of his birth, Sandpoint.

For eighteen years, William operated an electronic repair business, Sound Systems, while also working as an electronic technician with Radio Shack. He also worked in the logging business and worked for Crew Shuttle Service transporting crews for the Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad and the barge crews on the Columbia River. This year, William remarried his first wife, Jerri, and has four children, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. William is very active with many veterans service organizations, including his service as Commander of the American Legion Post 15 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2453 along with being American Legion Commander, Department of Idaho.

Cynthia Tatro, Boise: Cindy Tatro has a long, family history of service to our nation. Her grandfather served in World War I, and her father served in World War II. There were seven boys with military service in her father’s family. She feels that working with veterans is her chance to give back for the rest of her family and those that she knows.

Cindy served stateside in the U.S. Army Women’s Army Corps during the Vietnam War, and she served in Korea for two years. Throughout her service, she served in medical units. Cindy has been the Activity Coordinator at the Idaho State Veterans Home for several years, where she has developed outstanding programs for veterans. Cindy has two children and two grandchildren, and she devotes many hours of her time to helping serve veterans, both in and out of the State Veterans Home. She has been recognized for being effective in ensuring that each veteran receives the programs and activities they enjoy. She has also organized many meaningful programs for volunteer participation. I am proud to honor Cindy with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award for her sustained service to our nation and veterans.

Georgia Bowen, Lewiston: Georgia Bowen of Lewiston has dedicated more than 2800 hours over the last seven years to volunteering at the Idaho State Veterans Home. Georgia does a variety of volunteer duties, such as working in the canteen, baking and helping with outings and holiday events. She is always willing to assist wherever needed. Georgia’s husband, who served in the U.S. Army, lived in the Idaho State Veterans Home for almost four years, and two of Georgia’s five children have served in the military. Georgia says that what she enjoys most about volunteering at the home are the veterans. She says, “We’re helping them, but they in turn help us.” She recognizes how much the veterans enjoy having people around.

In addition to volunteering at the State Veterans Home, Georgia has committed substantial time to volunteering through the Elks. She has received many volunteer recognitions from the Elks for her service, and she has been active with the Lewiston Blood Center for six years. Georgia Bowen’s tireless efforts on behalf of veterans are admirable, and I am proud to honor Georgia with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Mary Ahlin Jones, Boise: Mary Ahlin Jones of Boise has been volunteering at the Idaho State Veterans Home, working on various projects, for more than ten years, and she has been described as always doing whatever she can to make the veterans feel welcome. Lately, she has been assisting veterans with weekly card game parties. Mary is able to calm the most anxious card players by letting them know that while some veterans take the game very seriously, it is just a game to be enjoyed.

Mary also volunteers at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Elks’ Rehabilitation Hospital. With her late husband, Vern, Mary raised three daughters. Mary has continued a rich and varied life, enjoying her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her beloved dogs. She also enjoys music, and she plays the accordion, harmonica and organ. Mary has a remarkable warm personality and love for our nation’s veterans. It is an honor to present Mary with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award for her outstanding service to our veterans.

Ron Katko, Boise: Ron Katko has devoted extensive time to volunteering through the Boise VA Medical Center. Ron’s volunteer projects include providing a monthly Bingo program. He also assists with special events, including holiday programs and a “Welcome Home Veterans” project.

Ron not only provides tireless service to veterans, he also volunteers through a number of other organizations. Ron is the head usher at the Holy Apostle Catholic Church, where he establishes schedules for eighty-six ushers. Through the Knights of Columbus, Ron coordinates a blood drive with the Red Cross, and he has served as commander of the honor guard for eight years. Ron’s diligent service to veterans and the community as a whole is extraordinary. It is an honor to present Ron with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Gardener “Bud” Keyt, Boise: World War II Veteran Bud Keyt has devoted 6300 hours of his time over nineteen years to serving veterans as a volunteer at the Boise VA Medical Center, where he was honored for his dedicated service through being recognized as Volunteer of the Month. Bud volunteers twice weekly in escort and messenger service, and he also helps with special events, such as National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans. He has served as a receptionist for the Red Cross blood drives. Bud indicates that he is a volunteer because he enjoys it. He says that all the walking is good for him, and he gets to help people at the same time. He especially enjoys hearing fellow World War II veterans’ stories.

During his military service, Bud signed up to serve in aircraft mechanics in the U.S. Navy, but he ended up instructing Aviation Ordnance. Bud attended aircraft gunnery school, and he taught aircraft recognition and free mount gunnery for 30-50 caliber machine guns. After a change of orders, Bud went to Aircraft Turret School, and he taught aircraft turret operation with particular attention to the Avenger torpedo bomber. Following his service, Bud returned to California, married his high school sweetheart and resumed his career with the National Cash Register Company. He worked his way up through the company to field division in Twin Falls and then Boise. Bud was widowed in 1967, eventually remarried and has seven children and numerous grandchildren. Bud Keyt has demonstrated outstanding military and volunteer service, and it is a privilege to honor him through the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Garrett “Gary” Randel Jr., Boise: Colonel Gary Randel Jr. served in the U.S. Marine Corps for forty-one years. He is very active with the Marine Corps League, and he served as Commandant for the Treasure Valley Detachment of the Marine Corps League for two years. He also served as Chairman of the Veterans Day Parade Committee for the Greater Boise area for four years.

Colonel Randel has had diverse and interesting military and civilian careers. As an enlisted Marine, his service included serving as a barracks guard, a troop leader and a drill instructor. He also served in several infantry battalions, including service as a rifle squad leader in Vietnam. As a commissioned officers, Colonel Randel served in a variety of positions including recruit training series commander, infantry battalion adjutant, a corrections officer, an infantry battalion operations officer, recruiting district enlisted recruiting operations officer, Deputy Chief, Operations Division, Combined Forces Command, Korea; Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations, Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic; and Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans and Policy, II Marine Expeditionary Force. At the time of his retirement, Colonel Randel was the Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Recruit Depot and Eastern Recruiting Region, Paris Island, SC. Colonel Randel received many medals and awards for his military service, including a Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps, Colonel Randel worked as a real estate agent in Boise and as a project manager with DynaCorp International in Kabul, Afghanistan and Iraq, overseeing different security related contracts with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense. He was also a project manager for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program for DynCorp International in Ft. Worth, Texas. Colonel Randel married his wife, Sharon, in 1969, and they have two children and two grandchildren. Gary Randel has devoted many years of service to our nation, and it is an honor to present him with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.

Ronald Tapia, Pocatello: Inspired by the service of his friend, Harry Grey, who fought in World War I, and his father, who was part of the invasion of Normandy in World War II, Ron Tapia wanted to fight in the Vietnam War and see the world. Despite her fears, Ron’s mother signed the necessary papers enabling Ron to leave school and join the Marine Corps at the age of seventeen. Ron’s first duty station was in Okinawa, Japan. When Ron checked into his unit, he asked to be sent to Vietnam. Despite his requests, he was not sent to Vietnam. He was next sent to California, where he met his wife Teresa, and then he was sent back to Japan.

After six years of service in the Marine Corps, Ron’s occupations included working in maintenance of mobile office buildings, owning a mobile lubrication and minor maintenance business and working as an employment coordinator. In 1992, Ron accepted his dream job as a Veterans Representative for the Idaho Department of Employment, renamed the Department of Labor. Ron has also dedicated considerable time to volunteering, including serving as a Homeless Stand Down Committee member, Toys for Tots volunteer, Channel 12 Community Access TV Host for Veterans Update for more than eight years, Vice Chairman of the Southeast Idaho Veterans Memorial Committee and much more. Ron indicates that throughout working and volunteering with veterans he has learned the many needs of veterans, including jobs, training, veteran’s benefits, education, food, shelter, support, counseling and camaraderie, and he has also learned that veterans take care of veterans. His goal is to be involved with the organizations, agencies and individuals that can meet these needs. Ron Tapia’s extensive service to veterans is commendable, and it is a privilege to present Ron with the 2010 Spirit of Freedom Award.