Birth of America event to be hosted this Sunday by Midwest Veterans of America will feature variety of special honorings
Midwest Veterans of America will be hosting a Birth of America celebration event this Sunday, July 6 at the Sweeney Shelter near the Allamakee County Freedom Rock in the Waukon City Park. The free event will begin at 11 a.m. and will honor more than 30 area Veterans with a cook-out meal followed by an awards presentation that will feature some special awards.
Among the special recognition will be the honoring of the five “most veteran” Veterans still living in Allamakee County. Those “most veteran” Veterans being honored for their service and their longevity on Earth will include:
• Osmund Quandahl, Waukon
• Gladwin Anderson, Waukon
• James B. Klenske, Waukon
• Cyril Larkin, Waukon
• Emmett Larkin, Waukon.
Also being specially recognized will be two Allamakee County Veterans whose death occurred during their service to their country. That specially honored pair includes:
• Major Jennie Armstrong of Waukon, who served in the U.S. Army from 2001-2024
• 1st Lieutenant Mark Dreier of Postville, who served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1969.
The general public is invited to attend the event, and those attending are asked to bring a salad or dessert to pass. The City Meat Market in New Albin is providing the meat for the cook-out. Those who have further questions or who are interested in donating to the event may call 563-568-5275.
Veterans who were nominated by local residents for honoring at this Sunday’s event include the following (as reported by Midwest Veterans of America):
* Gladwin Anderson of Waukon, U.S. Army (1954-1956)
* Ronald Dehning of Postville, U.S. Army (1970-1971)
* David Ebeling of Waukon, U.S. Navy (1977-1983)
* Erik T. Grohmann of Lansing, U.S. Marines (1999-2003)
* Dale Harris of Rochester, MN, U.S. Army (1956-1958)
* Bradley D. Hawbaker of Swisher, U.S. Army (1987-1990)
* Alan Heitman of New Albin, U.S. Army (1972-1973)
* Ron Henning of Harpers Ferry, U.S. Army (1967-1995)
* Catherine Herman of Waukon, National Air Force (1988-2009)
* Thomas J. Hodina of Waukon, U.S. Navy (1967-1971), U.S. Navy Reserves (1971-1973)
* Charles Holten of Spring Grove, MN, U.S. Army Reserves (1969-1975)
* Debbie Hundley of Waukon, U.S. Navy (2002-2003)
* Jim Johnson of Monona, U.S. Marines (1980-1984)
* Dayton Jones of Harpers Ferry, U.S. Air Force (1955-1959)
* Larry Jones of Harpers Ferry, U.S. Navy (1974-1978), Wisconsin National Guard (1979-1989)
* James B. Klenske of Waukon, U.S. Army (1953-1955)
* Bruce Leibold of Decorah, U.S. Navy (1973-1977)
* Troy McKee of Lansing, U.S. Army (2005-2009)
* William F. Reinhardt of Waukon, U.S. Army (1970-1971)
* Specialist 5 John J. Sweeney of Waukon, U.S. Army Reserves (1969-1975)
* Arthur Thorson of Stevens Point, WI, U.S. Army (1963-1986)
* Loren Timmerman of Monona, U.S. Army (1984-1987)
* Wayne Topel of Waukon, U.S. Air Force (1961-1964)
* Matt Vickers of Dewitt, U.S. Army (1971-1973)
* Robert W. Walters of Dorchester, U.S. Army (1968-1971)
* Damon Weber of Luana, Iowa National Guard (2022-Current)
* Jim Winkie of Waukon, U.S. Army (1954-1956)
