We have you covered!      We have your back!       Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)       The American Legion (AL)       American Veterans (AMVETs)       The Marine Corp League       We have your back!       We have you covered!       Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes!       God Bless the USA!       Ready on the left?       Ready on the right?       We have your back!       We have your back!       Got it?        We have your back!  

 

Door County Veterans!

Welcome home to "Landing Zone (LZ)"

Liberty Grove, Wisconsin!

Heads up!

For security reasons!

Only Post' members are allowed into zoomed meetings

Zooming Instructions

While all Door County veterans are encourage to attend meetings via "Zoom",  all must first be cleared into the meets by Post' Commanders.

Let's Roll!

Join us in singing: The Star Spangle Banner!

Help us teach the history of "The Pledge of Allegiance" to the next generation.

VFW - Commander guide for conducting a meeting:

VFW - Blank Minute Form:

 

Additional instructions:

  • If you're appointed to take minutes at our monthly meeting, use the blank backside of this form and number your minutes accordingly. Take a snap shot of your minutes and text or email them to your post secretary and commander.

 

  • Call them both so they don't miss your text and/or email.

Thank you for your service!

 

 

"Operation LZ Lambeau"

1244 bikers rode out of LaCross into Landing Zone Lambeau, in memory of the 1244 KIA's from Wisconsin.

Door County bikers rode 5 with the 1244 into LZ Lambeau and 5 out of Door County into LZ Lambeau, in memory of the 5 KIA's from Door County.

Eyes right and page down for a KIA briefing on five of Door County's finest. 

Click here a song for the wall!

      

Their motto?  I've Got Your Back!

Their guard dog road point!.

 
 

Door County Operatins

LZ "Landing Zone" Lambeau was an awesome success!  Go to www.LZLambeau.org for details.

Page down for a tribute to others...

Dan L. Pfister

Sfc. U. S. Army - Medic

Sturgeon Bay,

KIA June 18, 1968

Panel 56W line 26

RIP Bayside Cemetery

Randy W. Wagner

Corporal U.S. Army

Egg Harbor,

KIA 11/27/1968

Panel 38W line 80

RIP Egg Harbor Cemetery

David R. Schaefer

Sergeant U.S. Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA May 1, 1969

Panel 26W line 94

RIP St P&P Institute

Richard E. Perez

Lance Corporal USMC

Washington Island

KIA September 6, 1969

Panel 18W line 49

RIP Island Cemetery

Philip M. Overbeck

1st Lieutenant US Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA June 10, 1970

Panel 09W line 40

RIP Bayside Cemetery

In 'Nam we seldom had a day without rain so riding wet with Rolling Thunder's 1244 or Door County's "Rubber hits the Road" only brought back memories of drying out before moving out! Don't miss our www.youtube.com video shot while our ride paused at Door County's Fallen Heroes Memorial in Sturgeon Bay.
Door County OperatinsOur primary mission was to safely deploy 5 Honor Riders with Rolling Thunder's 1244 riding out of La Crosse to LZ Lambeau while at the same time deploying 5 from KIA gravesites in Door County to LZ Lambeau on Friday, May 21, 2010. The 1244 represent the number of Wisconsin solders killed in action, missing in action, or who were prisoners during the Vietnam War. All Door County riders made it safely to LZ Lambeau. Two of Rolling Thunder's riders went down in the rain on the way to La Crosse suffering only minor injuries. Three went down in the rain during the first deployment sending one to the hospital, and one went down later in the day suffering minor injuries but totaling his bike. The FAA grounded the chopper planning to fly over the 1244. 
Door County OperatinsOur primary mission was to guard the Moving WALL while landing Door County Vietnam vets with KIA family members safely on the ground at LZ Lambeau Saturday May 22, 2010. We all landed safely in-country!

We answered roll-call, signing a parking lot size map of South Vietnam!

 

 

We reconnected with comrades and shared "war stories" and common experiences!

We hugged, saluted, and prayed with "Golden" Mothers!

Golden Mothers are the mothers of solders on the WALL!

Washington Islanders paused from coast to coast on the Island, organized a special service at Door County's Fallen Heroes Memorial, and reflected at the Moving WALL in honor of their fallen USMC Lance Corporal Richard E. Perez. Rick was scheduled to leave for home on September 22  when he was killed by a fragmentation grenade in Quang Nam province on September 6, 1969; sixteen days before he would have safely landed home on the Island. (Pictures by Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel photographer Ron Overdahl) Click here and check out Commander Richard Purinton's blog.

  

    

             

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and    "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

Rolling Thunder escorted the Moving WALL out of town Monday morning, May 24, 2010  

Pioneer 1 packed up and moved out at high noon!

We salute our fellow veterans and applaud Door County residents for their heart warming "welcome home" and shouts of support as our Ride-for-Five wound through Door County on its way to LZ Lambeau. We cried and beamed with pride along the way! We'll never forget your signs, banners, and shouts of encouragement. Almost everyone on our "Ride-for-Five" out of Door County and our ride for 1244 out of La Crosse reported crying as they realized the welcome they knew was there but had never really felt.

I guarantee We'll never forget our welcome home.    Rich Woldt 68 - 70

Door County Operatins   Life Safety had to come first! Our only mission glitch came when the threat of rain forced us to deploy early from Northport. With two bikers, not ours, already down in the rain on their way to La Crosse, another three down in the first wave out of La Crosse, it starting to rain in Green Bay, was sprinkling in Sturgeon Bay, I made the call to deploy the moment the ferry docked in Northport in order to reach at least Sturgeon Bay on dry roads. Staging area #2 deployment went better than expected so we were past Gibraltar High School before students had time to fall out and form a flag line. Note: I posted an apology to the school the moment I realized they hadn't heard our passing sirens.

Our early deployment was entirely for safety reasons. At 4 a.m. I had learned it was pouring rain in La Crosse and two bikers had gone down in the rain on the way to La Crosse, suffering minor injuries. At 5:30 I learned our riders were standing mission ready in the rain. They were OK but had already needed one first aid kit, and had lost one flasher in the rain. at 6:30 I learned three bikers had gone down in the first wave with one taken to the hospital and one bike said to be totaled. Knowing it was already raining in Green Bay and sprinkling in Sturgeon Bay, I made the call to mount-up and move-out the moment the ferry landed at Northport.

THANK YOU OB1!

Vietnam Vets across the state thank NEWBA's President Owen "OB1" Bergwin for his support and dedication throughout the LZ Lambeau planning year.

OB1 rode with Rolling Thunders' 1244 soaked to the bone in the second wave out of La Crosse. He worked in the Rolling Thunders' food stand, attended countless meetings, and stood with us at every turn. Thanks OB1! You're a friend of veterans around the world. Any single women vacationing in Door County would be wise to have you as an escort.

           

 

and THANK YOU Fingers for riding with the 1244 and so much more!

  

THANK YOU Honor Riders!

Vietnam Vets were proud to ride with members of the                     TITAN MC and Door Devil Motorcycle Clubs,

Door County's "Ride for Five" with Rolling Thunder's 1244 was ridden by Owen "OB1" Burgwin for Richard Perez, Eric Peil for Dan Phister, Joe Rockwell for David Schaefer, Karen "Finger" Nicholson for Phil Overbeck, and Michael "Saint Michael" Burgwin for Randy Wagner.

Door County's "Ride for Five" was lead by Emmett VanGorver riding for Randy Wagner, Ken Suess for Dan Phister, Tim Gauthier for Richard Perez, Joe Stich for Dave Schaefer and Frank Mack riding for Phil Overbeck.

.... and with Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard, Warriors' Watch and clubs too many to mention...  

    Rolling Thunder www.rollingthunderwi3.org

Patriot Guard www.patriotguard.org

Warriors' Watch Riders www.warriorswatch.org
     
                

Our perimeter was secure!

 Vietnam vets thank our Door Co. Business Community:

Motor Pool - Fuel & Medical Supply Depots

During "Rubber hits the Road" managers at all refueling depots carried the rank of "Full Bull!"

U.S. Hwy 57

AL Post 527 Tom Kowalski

Staging Area # 2

Ken Gobel - US Navy

Staging Area # 3

BP' Diane Hank & Shell' Lisa Anschutz

Motor Pool:

Viking Grill Owner/CEO

Dan Peterson Commanding

Medical Supply Depot

Bay Pharmacies Inc.

President/CEO

Thomas Voegele Commanding

Medical Supply Depot

Pamida  Pharmacy

President/CEO

Jim Thomas Commanding

 

Vietnam vets send a special THANK YOU to Pioneer Credit Union's CEO Tom Young, Wisconsin credit union chapter leaders, the Wisconsin Credit Union League, and members of the World Council of Credit Unions for their financial council and liquidity management support offered honor riders traveling to LZ Lambeau from across the country and around the world.

Wisconsin Credit Unions resupplied our M.P.C and Green Backs?

 

We enlisted the support of the world credit union movement. FYI: The Door County Community Credit Union, organized in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin is now a branch of the Pioneer Credit Union located two blocks due south of LZ Lambeau. Pioneer CU joined our "Unified" command to mentor our Chiefs of Finance. This helped ensure all internationally recommended internal, audit, and collection control procedures were followed. They also consulted on security and safety with our Planning, Operation, and Logistic Chiefs.

 

Thank you "Lambeau Credit Union" in Tobago, West Indies. We salute them from "Lambeau Field" the home of the World Champion Green Bay Packers! My promise made - is a promise kept!     Rich Woldt  

 

Thank you International Credit Union Risk Managers in Scotland, Ireland, England, Poland, Jamaica, South Korea and beyond... for observing and benchmarking our ability to move a segment of our population out of harms way when faced with a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or pandemic requiring a mass evacuation or the need to segment our population.

 

Veterans once again thank McDonalds and Walmart for the gift cards and their help to field test our mass-evacuation tracking protocols. 

Both honor rides were used to field test "private sector" mass-evacuation protocols that would be used during a natural disaster, pandemic, terrorist attack, or large scale community crisis whose scope overwhelms or whose duration exhausts public sector response assets.   

Sunday:   Operation "Over Door County and Under GOD" was a ecumenical kite flying celebration of our religious traditions and Christian heritage. Five kites bearing the picture and panel patch of our 5 KIAs were launched with a brigade of kites from Hansen's Century Farm across Hwy 42/57 from Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church (11836 Hwy 42) just south of Ellison Bay. 

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and    "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

 

All Door County veteran organizations are in dire need of members. We're finding it increasingly difficult to find vets healthy and able to march in parades or take part in fundraisers and honor guards at funerals.

"Please encourage all vet's to join and support a veteran organization near their home!"

As always, let your voice be heard!

Note: some of these links are old and may not work.

Thank You Senator Ron Johnson for helping to defeat the Coburn' Amendment #564. Considering Tom Coburn is a fellow Republican I think he deserves a trip to the Wisconsin woodshed. We salute the Door County's VFW, American Legion, AMVET Posts and Marine Corp League taking part in "Operation Kill the Coburn' Amendment #564." While we won this skirmish Click here, the budget war and battle with those who consider Jane Fonda someone to admire has just begun. Note AARP's pro Jane Fonda article in their November publication. I'm cancelling my membership, insurance, and support of AARP at the end of my current enrollment.

Click here to contact your State Legislators. Click here to contact the U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to contact the U.S. Senate. And click here to contact your Door County CVSO and join your hometown post.

Action requested!  Contact your U.S. Senators and tell them Senator Tom Coburn's (R-Oklahoma) Amendment #564 to H.R. 2055 is a deal breaker with Vietnam Vets.

FYI: Coburn wants to change the manner in which presumptive disabilities related to Agent Orange exposure are determined. He wants us to again prove the positive connection between exposure to Agent Orange and the 15 presumptive illnesses that have already been recognized by the VA. We need to fight Coburn and his amendment #564 as we fought through Agent Orange to knock out Charlie sympathizers hiding behind their desks in Washington.

We can not allow this amendment to pass. For decades we fought to convince Washington that exposure to Agent Orange was killing our troops. Now that the VA Secretary has the scientific proof we need to guard against guys like Coburn pulling the rug out from under us in an effort to balance their budget. Not on our watch!

Effective 1-1-11... I'll use this and my post website www.VFWPost8337.com to promote "private sector" Homeland Security response protocols taught through my Risk Management Learning Center and RMLC Graduate School. (learn more).  

www.RMLearningCenter.com

   May 2010: Thank You Wisconsin & Door County

for a great...

"Vietnam Veteran' Welcome Home!"

A special thank you to LZ Lambeau organizers and Rolling Thunder!                                                            Rich Woldt Past Commander - Chaplain VFW Post 8337

Note: This site is a Homeland Security R&D site managed by faculty from my Risk Management Learning Center at www.RMLearningCenter.com. Go there for "Rubber-Hits-the-Road", "Boot-on-the-Ground", and "Over Door County - Under God" debriefings, security best practices learned during LZ Lambeau, Incident Command System (ICS) updates, as well as mass-evacuation protocol changes made after LZ Lambeau.

Field Tests: The 1244 and Door County memorial rides were used to field test RMLC' recommended Emergency Operation Center (EOC), Staging Area (SA), as well as mass-evacuation, troop safety, and supply line security protocols recommended during a large scale community crisis such as a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or pandemic.  

Risk Management Learning Center - Veteran Basic Training

Since 9-11-01...this site has been used develop "private sector" emergency response protocols Page down... for highlights of 2010. (learn more).

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

Click here to view other LZ Lambeau Videos:

Homeland Security and CU Risk Managers: Click here to upload our mission incident reports. I will file all R&D papers in our RMLC library at www.RMLearningCenter.com  Click here for a Poster for honor riders.   To safely land at LZ Rich Woldt go to www.RichWoldt.com

It's time crat, RDoor County Veteran' Mission Statement:

Under the direction and control of our County Veteran Service Officer, we will recruit all veterans living or working in Door County to join the VFW, American Legion, AMVET, and/or Marine Corp League Post nearest their residence with a special effort to enlist veterans coming off active duty.

Note: All Door County veteran posts are in desperate need of members to support our military honors program at funerals, fundraising for needy vets, scholarship programs, etc. We have an increasing number of veterans coming off active duty suffering with war wounds, PTSD, unemployment, and family stress brought on by multiple deployments. 

We will launch a basic training initiative to ensure all Door County veterans are familiar with Incident Command System and stand mission ready to join a "Unified" command when the scope of a natural disaster or terrorist attack overwhelms, or it's duration exhausts our public sector response asset.

   

Note: Veterans organizations are well position to respond to the hierarchy of victim needs. The ICS is required training for all Wisconsin law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency government. It's used by all Wisconsin' Homeland Security Public-to-Private Partnerships and private sector volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. Go to www.Cops007.com for more information.

 

Thanks to all advocates who joined the fight! The Senate passed S. 210 , the Stolen Valor Act last night. Below is the link to the new alert and a letter you can send to thank your Senators. We were able to get through to all 100 Senate offices!  Kudos!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day! 

http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=62685126

It's time; no it's past time for us to circle our wagons, take up arms and stand mission ready to protect and defend our homeland.  Like all internationally known tourist destinations, Door County affords terrorists their five top target characteristics. 

  1. A high first strike body count to inflict maximum trauma across international boundaries.
  2. Vulnerable mass-evacuation routes providing terrorists secondary targets and strike opportunities. 
  3. Vulnerable communication links and infrastructure assets that if neutralized would isolate Door County.   .
  4. We have in-place mass media assets to neutralize or commandeered and used to their advantage.   
  5. We have limited public sector first-response assets guarding a pre-softened population.

Door County is a sitting target. We need veterans both on active duty and those return from active duty to immediately join a veteran organization nearest their home. Door County veterans need to be constantly briefed on the most current military training and latest military strategies tested in Iraq and Afganistan.

Vote to protect "Medals of Honor" Click here

The origin of the “Battlefield Cross”

 

 

 

The origin of the “Battlefield Cross” dates back to before the Civil War, to a time when fallen soldiers, in the heat of battle, were buried on the battlefield. The fallen soldier’s rifle with bayonet attached would be stuck at the head of the grave and their helmet placed on top to identify the soldier. After the battle was won, their comrades in arms would return and conduct what’s now become the traditional graveside service, to include placing a makeshift headstone and flag to mark the grave, firing a “three-shot” volley over the grave, and starting during the Civil War, the playing of Taps.

The origins of “Taps,” dates back to the Civil War: In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call, Butterfield reworked the bugle call used to signal the end of the day. Not long after, it was played for the first time at a military funeral, for a Union soldier killed in action. The commanding officer (Captain John Tidball) felt, when on the front-lines, it would be safer to sound Taps, than fire off the traditional three-volley salute over the soldier’s grave.

Ø  Prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, originally dubbed the “Drum Taps,” than “The Taps” and then simply “Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers unofficial dubbed it their “Taps.” Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as “Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, “Taps” also has been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals.

Ø  Today at Berkeley Plantation, the historic estate located at Harrison’s Landing, there’s a monument commemorating the origins of “Taps” at the site. Berkeley Plantation also happens to be the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison, the nation’s ninth president.

 

Words to Taps (Note: There ere are no "official" words to Taps below are the most popular.)

Day is done,

Gone the sun,

From the hills,

From the lake,

From the skies.

All is well,

Safely rest,

God is nigh

 

Go to sleep,

Peaceful sleep,

May the soldier

Or sailor,

God keep.

On the land

Or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

 

Love, good night,

Must thou go,

When the day,

And the night

Need Thee so?

All is well.

Speedeth all

To their rest.

 

Fades the light;

And afar

Goeth day,

And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well,

Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and praise,

For our days.

'Neath the sun,

'Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.

 

 Attention Door County students heading for Washington DC to visit The Wall!

Thank you for stopping at the Wall for all of us who've yet to make the trip!        

Whether you make it to the Wall during this trip, or not, isn’t what’s most important. What’s most important, is you travel safe and know, when you take the time to visit any of our nation's war memorials, you're helping us all to heal, from the loss of lives we suffered securing our freedom, defending our homeland, and preserving our liberty for generations yet to come. 

I've put together a short tutorial, that highlights what's being taught to law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and emergency government personnel (EMTs) around the world. It's a short course in what you can do, before you leave Door County, so you're prepared to act, if and when, you're confronted by a sudden and unexpected, life threatening event. You'll learn how to "take command" and lead your fellow students out of harm's way.

You'll learn what to look for, and what to do, and not do, during a mass evacuation, terrorist attack, bomb threat, major fire, or traffic accident. Equally important, you'll learn how to stay connected to your home base in Door County throughout your trip, and how to muster our entire county to your rescue anytime you find yourselves in harm's way.

God Bless!

Richard Woldt - Army, Vietnam 1968 - 1970! 

 

Are you wondering when and how to display our flag?

Click here! or go to:  http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

When the scope of a natural disaster or terrorist attack overwhelms, or it's duration exhausts our public sector response asset.

   

Note: Veterans organizations are well position to respond to the hierarchy of victim needs. The ICS is required training for all Wisconsin law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency government. It's used by all Wisconsin' Homeland Security Public-to-Private Partnerships and private sector volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. Go to www.Cops007.com for more information.

 

Thanks to all advocates who joined the fight! The Senate passed S. 210 , the Stolen Valor Act last night. Below is the link to the new alert and a letter you can send to thank your Senators. We were able to get through to all 100 Senate offices!  Kudos!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day! 

http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=62685126

Flash back to Vietnam Veterans return to LZ (Landing Zone) Lambeau!

Door County Veterans!

Welcome home to "Landing Zone (LZ)"

Liberty Grove, Wisconsin!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89234969984?pwd=Um9tWE5xL0dDTitQT1g3ejBVYTkvdz09

Meeting ID: 892 3496 9984

Passcode: Bubba

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,89234969984#,,,,*201137# US +19292056099,,89234969984#,,,,*201137# US (New York)

 

VFW Post 8337 and American Legion Post 527 are walking point north of the 45th parallel, while VFW Post 3088, AMVET Post 51, the Marine Corp League and the other American Legion posts operating south of the 45th, launch their own Post' Zooming Operations (PZO's) to better serve veterans living within their "Theater of Operation".

It is our stated "Mission Objective", to build the troop strength in each and ever Door County' veteran organization. Experience has taught us, the closer a  veterans lives to the Landing Zone near their home, the more active they'll be and the quicker they'll be able to respond to the needs of their fellow veterans living within their Theater of Operation.

For example: We encourage veterans, living north of the 45th parallel to join VFW Post 8337 and those living south of the 45th parallel to join VFW Post 3088. Keep monitoring the Door County' veteran' organization of your choice, so you'll be able to jump on-board the moment they come on-line.

FYI: VFW Post 8337 and AL Post 527 will be setting up Landing Zone "LZ Billerbeck Field" at Gibraltar High School, with a stated mission to conduct basic Risk Management' training in: Crime Prevention though Environmental Design (CPTED), how to mobilize Public to Private Partnerships (PPP'), how to command SWAT maneuvers during an Active Shooting Event (ASE), how to handle bomb threats and conduct bomb-threat evacuations, how to update and integrate defendable zones in schools, churches, financial institutions throughout the private sector. and how to get the most out of your investment in surveillance systems and armed security guards.

 

 

VFW Post 8337 meets at the Liberty Grove Town Hall the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7 PM

VFW Post 8337 member will find their ZOOM invitation (ID and Password) in their monthly newsletter.

* We zoom our meeting between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

* We assemble between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

* Post 8337 family members are encouraged to attend in person and/or via zoom.

* Veterans are reminded to wear their cover!

* All Zoom video's should be on during the meeting and all microphones should be "muted", during the meeting.

All Door County veterans on active duty are encouraged to join the post closest to their home. 

The Chaplain's "Good of the Order" will be at 7:30 sharp.

Go to: www.zoom.com and upload their "free" app on your smart phone, computer and tablet. 

 

 

A message to VFW members, who live, work or are retired in Door County.

There are two VFW posts in Door County:

VFW Post 8337, supports veterans living north of the 45th parallel, to and including Washington Island!

 VFW Post 3088 support veterans living south of the 45th parallel to the county line.

Billy Weiss American Legion Post 527 - Thomas Kowalski Commanding tom@garrowoil.com (Zoom)

 

Below is a list of contacts and meeting times of some of the Veteran Organizations.

VFW Post 3088 – 2nd Thursday of ea. Month – 744 Delaware St., Sturgeon Bay, WI

CDR Joe Knaapen -  (920)493-2183 – joewk47@yahoo.com

QM Bill Graf - (920)743-7688 – billnmarygraf@charter.net

AL Post 402 – 1st Thursday of ea. Month – 1254 Main St., Washington Island, WI

CDR Dick Purinton – (920)535-0046 – richard@wisferry.com

Adj Charles Grandy – (920)535-0334 – chas.grandy@gmail.com

AMVETS Post 51 – 4th Tuesday of ea. Month – Leatham Smith Lodge

CDR Bill Forry – (920)559-8019 – chiefsqtrs@yahoo.com

Robert Gamble – (920)559-9458 – rgam1r222@gmail.com

AL Post 72 – 2nd Tuesday of ea. Month – 692 Tacoma Beach Rd., Sturgeon Bay, WI

Door County Veteran Service Officer (CVS)

CDR Deb Logerquist – (920)823-2109 – spaulsdoor@aol.com

Veteran Service Office 2nd in Command

Nathan M. LeClair

421 Nebraska St.

Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

Toll-Free: 888-743-1844 x2225

Phone: 920-746-2225

Fax: 920-746-2519

Email: nleclair@co.door.wi.us

United States Navy Veteran

Veteran organizations with members living on the Door County Peninsula:

Vietnam Veterans of America Wisconsin State Council

Navy Seabees Island 14 Meets in Manitowoc

1611 South 17th Street Manitowoc, WI 54220

 Navy Seabee Veterans of America / National Headquarters.

 

 

VFW Post 8337 News Letters: May 2022

Agenda for the Door County Veterans Service Council.

VFW Post 8337 Quarterly Report to CVSO April 12, 2022

 

Landing Zone (LZ)  45

"At the Heart of the Peninsula"

Mission Statement:

We will set up a 24/7 zooming network, to monitor the "Good of the Order" needs of all Door County veterans, no matter where they're serving around the world.

We will build the troop strength in all Door County veteran organizations. We will locate, lockdown and safely land Door County' veterans, with family and friends, as close as possible to the Door County' based veteran organization of their choice. 

We will work with High Schools within our respective "Theater of Operation" to support students planning to enlist, students on active duty, with a special operation focused on veterans returning from active duty.     

We will provide "Basic" and "Advanced Individual Training (AIT)" focused on:

Conducting "Search and Rescue" operations, when a child goes missing on the Door County peninsula. Conducting "Mass evacuations", during a natural disaster or terrorist attack on the Door County peninsula. Conducting "School/Building evacuations, during a bomb threat. Creating "Defendable Zones" in our schools and business community. "Responding to "Active Shooter Events (ASE)" on the Door County peninsula and "Responding to a chemical/biological attack on the Door County peninsula.  

 

Door County veteran organizations need your support.

Please click here to learn more about veteran services in Door County!

Update: Our current Door County Veterans Service Officer is: Beth Wartella.

Her office address is: 421 Nebraska Street, Sturgeon Bay, Wi. 54235

Her Contact # are: Toll-Free 888-743-1844 x 2226 and 920-746-2226 Fax # 920-746-2519

Her email is: bwartella@co.door.wi.us

Our Door County Veteran Posts need your support - Join today!

Call our County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) at: 920-746-2225

Richard Woldt – Past Commander VFW Post 8337 Liberty Grove, Wisconsin

Now is the time for "all veterans" to stand and fight. It's an easy mission to join. All veterans need to do is email Door Country Veterans Service Officer, or call her at 920-746-2225 for a briefing they'll never regret.

There is little doubt, if we don't aggressively recruit new members for all Door County veteran organizations, we're eventually going to lose our ability to stand our post, safeguard veteran benefits already promised, and support our troops returning to civilian life. With battles yet to be won, boarders yet to be secured, and veterans yet to be backed, now's not the time to let down our guard. 

Allow me to suggest: Families, go together and purchase a life time membership in one of our three VFW posts for your solder returning from combat. For your marine; purchase a life time membership in our Marine Corp Detachment. And don't forget those who qualify to belong to AMVET post 51 or one of our four American Legion posts. If you want to know when and where Door County Veteran organizations meet: Click here

Go to our Door County Veteran Service Officer to learn more about how to join the post of your choice!

VFW Post #8337 Liberty Grove, WI VFW Post #3088 Sturgeon Bay, WI  Marine Corp League Sturgeon Bay, WI  Disabled American Veterans (Post...
American Legion Posts #527  Sister Bay, WI            American Legion Posts #72  Sturgeon Bay, WI       American Legion Posts #372 Maplewood, WI          American Legion Posts #402 Washington Island, WI
Army Navy Air Force Marines Coast Guard National Guard DAV

Stop!

I launched this site back in 2001, just after the 9-11-01 attack on the New York World Trade Center. Much below this point is dated material, so read it as if you where there. God Bless "Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes."

Eyes right and page down for a KIA briefing on five of Door County's finest. 

Click here a song for the wall!

      

Their motto?  I've Got Your Back!

Their guard dog road point!.

 

 

Door County Operatins

LZ "Landing Zone" Lambeau was an awesome success!  Go to www.LZLambeau.org for details.

Page down for a tribute to others...

Dan L. Pfister

Sfc. U. S. Army - Medic

Sturgeon Bay,

KIA June 18, 1968

Panel 56W line 26

RIP Bayside Cemetery

Randy W. Wagner

Corporal U.S. Army

Egg Harbor,

KIA 11/27/1968

Panel 38W line 80

RIP Egg Harbor Cemetery

David R. Schaefer

Sergeant U.S. Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA May 1, 1969

Panel 26W line 94

RIP St P&P Institute

Richard E. Perez

Lance Corporal USMC

Washington Island

KIA September 6, 1969

Panel 18W line 49

RIP Island Cemetery

Philip M. Overbeck

1st Lieutenant US Army

Sturgeon Bay

KIA June 10, 1970

Panel 09W line 40

RIP Bayside Cemetery

In 'Nam we seldom had a day without rain so riding wet with Rolling Thunder's 1244 or Door County's "Rubber hits the Road" only brought back memories of drying out before moving out! Don't miss our www.youtube.com video shot while our ride paused at Door County's Fallen Heroes Memorial in Sturgeon Bay.
Door County OperatinsOur primary mission was to safely deploy 5 Honor Riders with Rolling Thunder's 1244 riding out of La Crosse to LZ Lambeau while at the same time deploying 5 from KIA gravesites in Door County to LZ Lambeau on Friday, May 21, 2010. The 1244 represent the number of Wisconsin solders killed in action, missing in action, or who were prisoners during the Vietnam War. All Door County riders made it safely to LZ Lambeau. Two of Rolling Thunder's riders went down in the rain on the way to La Crosse suffering only minor injuries. Three went down in the rain during the first deployment sending one to the hospital, and one went down later in the day suffering minor injuries but totaling his bike. The FAA grounded the chopper planning to fly over the 1244. 
Door County OperatinsOur primary mission was to guard the Moving WALL while landing Door County Vietnam vets with KIA family members safely on the ground at LZ Lambeau Saturday May 22, 2010. We all landed safely in-country!

We answered roll-call, signing a parking lot size map of South Vietnam!

 

 

We reconnected with comrades and shared "war stories" and common experiences!

We hugged, saluted, and prayed with "Golden" Mothers!

Golden Mothers are the mothers of solders on the WALL!

Washington Islanders paused from coast to coast on the Island, organized a special service at Door County's Fallen Heroes Memorial, and reflected at the Moving WALL in honor of their fallen USMC Lance Corporal Richard E. Perez. Rick was scheduled to leave for home on September 22  when he was killed by a fragmentation grenade in Quang Nam province on September 6, 1969; sixteen days before he would have safely landed home on the Island. (Pictures by Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel photographer Ron Overdahl) Click here and check out Commander Richard Purinton's blog.

  

    

             

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and    "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

Rolling Thunder escorted the Moving WALL out of town Monday morning, May 24, 2010  

Pioneer 1 packed up and moved out at high noon!

We salute our fellow veterans and applaud Door County residents for their heart warming "welcome home" and shouts of support as our Ride-for-Five wound through Door County on its way to LZ Lambeau. We cried and beamed with pride along the way! We'll never forget your signs, banners, and shouts of encouragement. Almost everyone on our "Ride-for-Five" out of Door County and our ride for 1244 out of La Crosse reported crying as they realized the welcome they knew was there but had never really felt.

I guarantee We'll never forget our welcome home.    Rich Woldt 68 - 70

Door County Operatins   Life Safety had to come first! Our only mission glitch came when the threat of rain forced us to deploy early from Northport. With two bikers, not ours, already down in the rain on their way to La Crosse, another three down in the first wave out of La Crosse, it starting to rain in Green Bay, was sprinkling in Sturgeon Bay, I made the call to deploy the moment the ferry docked in Northport in order to reach at least Sturgeon Bay on dry roads. Staging area #2 deployment went better than expected so we were past Gibraltar High School before students had time to fall out and form a flag line. Note: I posted an apology to the school the moment I realized they hadn't heard our passing sirens.

Our early deployment was entirely for safety reasons. At 4 a.m. I had learned it was pouring rain in La Crosse and two bikers had gone down in the rain on the way to La Crosse, suffering minor injuries. At 5:30 I learned our riders were standing mission ready in the rain. They were OK but had already needed one first aid kit, and had lost one flasher in the rain. at 6:30 I learned three bikers had gone down in the first wave with one taken to the hospital and one bike said to be totaled. Knowing it was already raining in Green Bay and sprinkling in Sturgeon Bay, I made the call to mount-up and move-out the moment the ferry landed at Northport.

THANK YOU OB1!

Vietnam Vets across the state thank NEWBA's President Owen "OB1" Bergwin for his support and dedication throughout the LZ Lambeau planning year.

OB1 rode with Rolling Thunders' 1244 soaked to the bone in the second wave out of La Crosse. He worked in the Rolling Thunders' food stand, attended countless meetings, and stood with us at every turn. Thanks OB1! You're a friend of veterans around the world. Any single women vacationing in Door County would be wise to have you as an escort.

           

 

and THANK YOU Fingers for riding with the 1244 and so much more!

  

THANK YOU Honor Riders!

Vietnam Vets were proud to ride with members of the                     TITAN MC and Door Devil Motorcycle Clubs,

Door County's "Ride for Five" with Rolling Thunder's 1244 was ridden by Owen "OB1" Burgwin for Richard Perez, Eric Peil for Dan Phister, Joe Rockwell for David Schaefer, Karen "Finger" Nicholson for Phil Overbeck, and Michael "Saint Michael" Burgwin for Randy Wagner.

Door County's "Ride for Five" was lead by Emmett VanGorver riding for Randy Wagner, Ken Suess for Dan Phister, Tim Gauthier for Richard Perez, Joe Stich for Dave Schaefer and Frank Mack riding for Phil Overbeck.

.... and with Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard, Warriors' Watch and clubs too many to mention...  

    Rolling Thunder www.rollingthunderwi3.org

Patriot Guard www.patriotguard.org

Warriors' Watch Riders www.warriorswatch.org
     
                

Our perimeter was secure!

 Vietnam vets thank our Door Co. Business Community:

Motor Pool - Fuel & Medical Supply Depots

During "Rubber hits the Road" managers at all refueling depots carried the rank of "Full Bull!"

U.S. Hwy 57

AL Post 527 Tom Kowalski

Staging Area # 2

Ken Gobel - US Navy

Staging Area # 3

BP' Diane Hank & Shell' Lisa Anschutz

Motor Pool:

Viking Grill Owner/CEO

Dan Peterson Commanding

Medical Supply Depot

Bay Pharmacies Inc.

President/CEO

Thomas Voegele Commanding

Medical Supply Depot

Pamida  Pharmacy

President/CEO

Jim Thomas Commanding

 

Vietnam vets send a special THANK YOU to Pioneer Credit Union's CEO Tom Young, Wisconsin credit union chapter leaders, the Wisconsin Credit Union League, and members of the World Council of Credit Unions for their financial council and liquidity management support offered honor riders traveling to LZ Lambeau from across the country and around the world.

Wisconsin Credit Unions resupplied our M.P.C and Green Backs?

 

We enlisted the support of the world credit union movement. FYI: The Door County Community Credit Union, organized in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin is now a branch of the Pioneer Credit Union located two blocks due south of LZ Lambeau. Pioneer CU joined our "Unified" command to mentor our Chiefs of Finance. This helped ensure all internationally recommended internal, audit, and collection control procedures were followed. They also consulted on security and safety with our Planning, Operation, and Logistic Chiefs.

 

Thank you "Lambeau Credit Union" in Tobago, West Indies. We salute them from "Lambeau Field" the home of the World Champion Green Bay Packers! My promise made - is a promise kept!     Rich Woldt  

 

Thank you International Credit Union Risk Managers in Scotland, Ireland, England, Poland, Jamaica, South Korea and beyond... for observing and benchmarking our ability to move a segment of our population out of harms way when faced with a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or pandemic requiring a mass evacuation or the need to segment our population.

 

Veterans once again thank McDonalds and Walmart for the gift cards and their help to field test our mass-evacuation tracking protocols. 

Both honor rides were used to field test "private sector" mass-evacuation protocols that would be used during a natural disaster, pandemic, terrorist attack, or large scale community crisis whose scope overwhelms or whose duration exhausts public sector response assets.   

Sunday:   Operation "Over Door County and Under GOD" was a ecumenical kite flying celebration of our religious traditions and Christian heritage. Five kites bearing the picture and panel patch of our 5 KIAs were launched with a brigade of kites from Hansen's Century Farm across Hwy 42/57 from Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church (11836 Hwy 42) just south of Ellison Bay. 

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and    "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

 

All Door County veteran organizations are in dire need of members. We're finding it increasingly difficult to find vets healthy and able to march in parades or take part in fundraisers and honor guards at funerals.

"Please encourage all vet's to join and support a veteran organization near their home!"

As always, let your voice be heard!

Note: some of these links are old and may not work.

Thank You Senator Ron Johnson for helping to defeat the Coburn' Amendment #564. Considering Tom Coburn is a fellow Republican I think he deserves a trip to the Wisconsin woodshed. We salute the Door County's VFW, American Legion, AMVET Posts and Marine Corp League taking part in "Operation Kill the Coburn' Amendment #564." While we won this skirmish Click here, the budget war and battle with those who consider Jane Fonda someone to admire has just begun. Note AARP's pro Jane Fonda article in their November publication. I'm cancelling my membership, insurance, and support of AARP at the end of my current enrollment.

Click here to contact your State Legislators. Click here to contact the U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to contact the U.S. Senate. And click here to contact your Door County CVSO and join your hometown post.

Action requested!  Contact your U.S. Senators and tell them Senator Tom Coburn's (R-Oklahoma) Amendment #564 to H.R. 2055 is a deal breaker with Vietnam Vets.

FYI: Coburn wants to change the manner in which presumptive disabilities related to Agent Orange exposure are determined. He wants us to again prove the positive connection between exposure to Agent Orange and the 15 presumptive illnesses that have already been recognized by the VA. We need to fight Coburn and his amendment #564 as we fought through Agent Orange to knock out Charlie sympathizers hiding behind their desks in Washington.

We can not allow this amendment to pass. For decades we fought to convince Washington that exposure to Agent Orange was killing our troops. Now that the VA Secretary has the scientific proof we need to guard against guys like Coburn pulling the rug out from under us in an effort to balance their budget. Not on our watch!

Effective 1-1-11... I'll use this and my post website www.VFWPost8337.com to promote "private sector" Homeland Security response protocols taught through my Risk Management Learning Center and RMLC Graduate School. (learn more).  

www.RMLearningCenter.com

   May 2010: Thank You Wisconsin & Door County

for a great...

"Vietnam Veteran' Welcome Home!"

A special thank you to LZ Lambeau organizers and Rolling Thunder!                                                            Rich Woldt Past Commander - Chaplain VFW Post 8337

Note: This site is a Homeland Security R&D site managed by faculty from my Risk Management Learning Center at www.RMLearningCenter.com. Go there for "Rubber-Hits-the-Road", "Boot-on-the-Ground", and "Over Door County - Under God" debriefings, security best practices learned during LZ Lambeau, Incident Command System (ICS) updates, as well as mass-evacuation protocol changes made after LZ Lambeau.

Field Tests: The 1244 and Door County memorial rides were used to field test RMLC' recommended Emergency Operation Center (EOC), Staging Area (SA), as well as mass-evacuation, troop safety, and supply line security protocols recommended during a large scale community crisis such as a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or pandemic.  

Risk Management Learning Center - Veteran Basic Training

Since 9-11-01...this site has been used develop "private sector" emergency response protocols Page down... for highlights of 2010. (learn more).

Click here and view  "Door County Veterans' Welcome Home" and "Over Door County - Under God" videos!

Click here to view other LZ Lambeau Videos:

Homeland Security and CU Risk Managers: Click here to upload our mission incident reports. I will file all R&D papers in our RMLC library at www.RMLearningCenter.com  Click here for a Poster for honor riders.   To safely land at LZ Rich Woldt go to www.RichWoldt.com

It's time crat, RDoor County Veteran' Mission Statement:

Under the direction and control of our County Veteran Service Officer, we will recruit all veterans living or working in Door County to join the VFW, American Legion, AMVET, and/or Marine Corp League Post nearest their residence with a special effort to enlist veterans coming off active duty.

Note: All Door County veteran posts are in desperate need of members to support our military honors program at funerals, fundraising for needy vets, scholarship programs, etc. We have an increasing number of veterans coming off active duty suffering with war wounds, PTSD, unemployment, and family stress brought on by multiple deployments. 

We will launch a basic training initiative to ensure all Door County veterans are familiar with Incident Command System and stand mission ready to join a "Unified" command when the scope of a natural disaster or terrorist attack overwhelms, or it's duration exhausts our public sector response asset.

   

Note: Veterans organizations are well position to respond to the hierarchy of victim needs. The ICS is required training for all Wisconsin law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency government. It's used by all Wisconsin' Homeland Security Public-to-Private Partnerships and private sector volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. Go to www.Cops007.com for more information.

 

Thanks to all advocates who joined the fight! The Senate passed S. 210 , the Stolen Valor Act last night. Below is the link to the new alert and a letter you can send to thank your Senators. We were able to get through to all 100 Senate offices!  Kudos!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day! 

http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=62685126

It's time; no it's past time for us to circle our wagons, take up arms and stand mission ready to protect and defend our homeland.  Like all internationally known tourist destinations, Door County affords terrorists their five top target characteristics. 

  1. A high first strike body count to inflict maximum trauma across international boundaries.
  2. Vulnerable mass-evacuation routes providing terrorists secondary targets and strike opportunities. 
  3. Vulnerable communication links and infrastructure assets that if neutralized would isolate Door County.   .
  4. We have in-place mass media assets to neutralize or commandeered and used to their advantage.   
  5. We have limited public sector first-response assets guarding a pre-softened population.

Door County is a sitting target. We need veterans both on active duty and those return from active duty to immediately join a veteran organization nearest their home. Door County veterans need to be constantly briefed on the most current military training and latest military strategies tested in Iraq and Afganistan.

Vote to protect "Medals of Honor" Click here

The origin of the “Battlefield Cross”

 

 

 

The origin of the “Battlefield Cross” dates back to before the Civil War, to a time when fallen soldiers, in the heat of battle, were buried on the battlefield. The fallen soldier’s rifle with bayonet attached would be stuck at the head of the grave and their helmet placed on top to identify the soldier. After the battle was won, their comrades in arms would return and conduct what’s now become the traditional graveside service, to include placing a makeshift headstone and flag to mark the grave, firing a “three-shot” volley over the grave, and starting during the Civil War, the playing of Taps.

The origins of “Taps,” dates back to the Civil War: In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call, Butterfield reworked the bugle call used to signal the end of the day. Not long after, it was played for the first time at a military funeral, for a Union soldier killed in action. The commanding officer (Captain John Tidball) felt, when on the front-lines, it would be safer to sound Taps, than fire off the traditional three-volley salute over the soldier’s grave.

Ø  Prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, originally dubbed the “Drum Taps,” than “The Taps” and then simply “Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers unofficial dubbed it their “Taps.” Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as “Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, “Taps” also has been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals.

Ø  Today at Berkeley Plantation, the historic estate located at Harrison’s Landing, there’s a monument commemorating the origins of “Taps” at the site. Berkeley Plantation also happens to be the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and William Henry Harrison, the nation’s ninth president.

 

Words to Taps (Note: There ere are no "official" words to Taps below are the most popular.)

Day is done,

Gone the sun,

From the hills,

From the lake,

From the skies.

All is well,

Safely rest,

God is nigh

 

Go to sleep,

Peaceful sleep,

May the soldier

Or sailor,

God keep.

On the land

Or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

 

Love, good night,

Must thou go,

When the day,

And the night

Need Thee so?

All is well.

Speedeth all

To their rest.

 

Fades the light;

And afar

Goeth day,

And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well,

Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and praise,

For our days.

'Neath the sun,

'Neath the stars,

'Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.

 

 Attention Door County students heading for Washington DC to visit The Wall!

Thank you for stopping at the Wall for all of us who've yet to make the trip!        

Whether you make it to the Wall during this trip, or not, isn’t what’s most important. What’s most important, is you travel safe and know, when you take the time to visit any of our nation's war memorials, you're helping us all to heal, from the loss of lives we suffered securing our freedom, defending our homeland, and preserving our liberty for generations yet to come. 

I've put together a short tutorial, that highlights what's being taught to law enforcement officers, fire fighters, and emergency government personnel (EMTs) around the world. It's a short course in what you can do, before you leave Door County, so you're prepared to act, if and when, you're confronted by a sudden and unexpected, life threatening event. You'll learn how to "take command" and lead your fellow students out of harm's way.

You'll learn what to look for, and what to do, and not do, during a mass evacuation, terrorist attack, bomb threat, major fire, or traffic accident. Equally important, you'll learn how to stay connected to your home base in Door County throughout your trip, and how to muster our entire county to your rescue anytime you find yourselves in harm's way.

God Bless!

Richard Woldt - Army, Vietnam 1968 - 1970! 

 

Are you wondering when and how to display our flag?

Click here! or go to:  http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf

When the scope of a natural disaster or terrorist attack overwhelms, or it's duration exhausts our public sector response asset.

   

Note: Veterans organizations are well position to respond to the hierarchy of victim needs. The ICS is required training for all Wisconsin law enforcement, fire fighters, and emergency government. It's used by all Wisconsin' Homeland Security Public-to-Private Partnerships and private sector volunteer organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. Go to www.Cops007.com for more information.

 

Thanks to all advocates who joined the fight! The Senate passed S. 210 , the Stolen Valor Act last night. Below is the link to the new alert and a letter you can send to thank your Senators. We were able to get through to all 100 Senate offices!  Kudos!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day! 

http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=62685126

Flash back to Vietnam Veterans return to LZ (Landing Zone) Lambeau!

Door County Veterans!

Welcome home to "Landing Zone (LZ)"

Liberty Grove, Wisconsin!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89234969984?pwd=Um9tWE5xL0dDTitQT1g3ejBVYTkvdz09

Meeting ID: 892 3496 9984

Passcode: Bubba

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,89234969984#,,,,*201137# US +19292056099,,89234969984#,,,,*201137# US (New York)

 

VFW Post 8337 and American Legion Post 527 are walking point north of the 45th parallel, while VFW Post 3088, AMVET Post 51, the Marine Corp League and the other American Legion posts operating south of the 45th, launch their own Post' Zooming Operations (PZO's) to better serve veterans living within their "Theater of Operation".

It is our stated "Mission Objective", to build the troop strength in each and ever Door County' veteran organization. Experience has taught us, the closer a  veterans lives to the Landing Zone near their home, the more active they'll be and the quicker they'll be able to respond to the needs of their fellow veterans living within their Theater of Operation.

For example: We encourage veterans, living north of the 45th parallel to join VFW Post 8337 and those living south of the 45th parallel to join VFW Post 3088. Keep monitoring the Door County' veteran' organization of your choice, so you'll be able to jump on-board the moment they come on-line.

FYI: VFW Post 8337 and AL Post 527 will be setting up Landing Zone "LZ Billerbeck Field" at Gibraltar High School, with a stated mission to conduct basic Risk Management' training in: Crime Prevention though Environmental Design (CPTED), how to mobilize Public to Private Partnerships (PPP'), how to command SWAT maneuvers during an Active Shooting Event (ASE), how to handle bomb threats and conduct bomb-threat evacuations, how to update and integrate defendable zones in schools, churches, financial institutions throughout the private sector. and how to get the most out of your investment in surveillance systems and armed security guards.

 The Star Spangle Banner!

Rich Woldt & Lee Patza

Saigon Vietnam 1968 - 1970

Cousins: Although we on opposite ends of the political spectrum, we're both "American" Vietnam Vets, proud members of VFW Post 8337, and stand mission ready to fight for our freedom and defend our homeland!

HQ Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACVn)

January 11, 1969

"Door County had 5 solders killed in action during the Vietnam War"

Randy Wagner, Lee Patza and I left Egg Harbor about the same time. Lee landed in Vietnam March 23, 1968, Randy on September 11, 1968 and I landed on November 10, 1968. Randy was killed by a demolition bomb on November 11, 1968 the day after I landed at Long Bien Ben Hue.

David Schaefer, son of Roy and Helen (Rohr) Schaefer, Sturgeon Bay, landed in the Mekong Delta as part of the Ninth Infantry Division on March 1, 1969 and was killed 61 days later on May 1, 1969; leaving three brothers; Steve, Rick and Mark and paternal grandmother, Nellie Schaefer behind. I remember hanging out with David at his family's Shell Station on Jefferson where he spent many hours working on his '62Corvair. 

Sergeant Schaefer was awarded several medals posthumously for valor in combat. The Silver Star with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster. The first was for picking up an armed Vietcong grenade from beneath a wounded soldier and hurling it away, where it exploded shortly thereafter. The second was for courageously leading an attack against a Vietcong bunker where he took machine gun fire that cost him his life. Also awarded were the Bronze Star and Bronze Star first Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat forces and the Purple Heart.    

Rick Perez, Washington Island,  was scheduled to leave for home on September 22  (we called it  "DEROS" to "CONUS" or "Date Expected to Return from Overseas to Continental United States"). He was killed by a fragmentation grenade in Quang Nam province on September 6, 1969; sixteen days before he would have safely landed at home on the Island.   

Dan Pfister, born in Jacksonport, had been in the Army since 1955. He was the oldest and first Door County vet to be killed in Vietnam.  Dan and I were attached to the same MACVn command.  We called him a "Brown Boot" because once you're in Nam for over a week you're boots are red-brown from the mud in the rivers. Dan was a medic on an operation out of Binh Thuan when he was first listed as  MIA but than the same day (June 18, 1968), his body was recovered and he was official reported as Killed in Action.

Philip Overbeck, Son of Henry and Thea, brother of William and Charles and Michael and Margi and Elizabeth and Jennifer; a 1965 graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School, was the fifth and last Door County vet to be Killed in Action on June 10. 1970. Phil was a paratrooper serving with the 173 Airborne Brigade, Company B-4, 503 Infantry when he was killed by an explosive device while on an operation out of Binh Dinh.  Phil's brothers William and Charles are both Vietnam vets. 

Lee landed safely back in the U.S. February 9, 1969. I was scheduled to go home November 10, 1968 but extended my tour to get the --- who killed Randy. I landed back in the U.S. January 10, 1970.

 

Door County' Veteran Operations

Would not have been possible without the hard work and support of so many over the past year. Following are just a few critical liaisons.

From Door County's Veteran Service Office
From Iraq
From 1st Sergeant Thomas Blohowiak and his 372 Engineer Company...
and VFW District 8 Commander Steve Conto
with the 372 Engineer Co. (VERT)
The line at the WALL ran through LZ Lambeau.
Panel Patches by: Woody West
From Wisconsin National Guard and             Emergency Management
From Wisconsin Department of Homeland Security
From leaders of the World Credit Union Movement

From Lambeau Credit Union in Tobago

From Door County's Sheriff and our local and State Emergency Management
From bikers across the State
From front-line firefighters
From LZ Lambeau planners and organizers

From fellow bikers across the US

From Northeast Wisconsin Bikers Association Members

From Door County Motorcycle Clubs
From local radio stations
From my fellow VFW Post 8337 members

From the Door Devils of Door County!

They're covering our back!

Door Devil rider Emmitt's sister-in-law was engaged to Randy when he deployed to Nam. Randy was killed the day after I landed in country.

LZ Lambeau vets will be flying Vietnam era aircraft!

We'll be building ramps for the wall the week before!

Flyovers were friendly!

We're bonded through generations of military service

We'll never be caught off guard again!
Choppers provided LZ Lambeau air cover!
Door County Honor Riders answered roll-call well trained, properly equipped, and mission ready to roll!
Disclaimer: As Nixon would say, I want it made it "perfectly clear" that operations launched from this site are by one old Vietnam Vet who's only interested in putting back together the lives of his comrades who've been wounded too often by politicians more interested in their re-election than standing up for the Christian principals on which our country has been built. 

If my lack of tact or unconventional tactics offend you, I apologize. It is precisely because of my passion at times that I must clearly state so there can be no misunderstanding; "I do not in any way, shape, form, or fashion represent any veteran post of which I'm a member, nor do I represent any credit union or credit union affiliate for whom I've been privileged to work"  If you or any of your associates chose to follow any of my recommendations or adopt any of my protocols, you do it at your own risk. Now that that has been said, Let us proceed full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes!

Rich Woldt - Proud Army Strong Vietnam Vet

 

 

As each deployment started so it closed with a prayer to our "Eternal God!" 

 

Prayer: Eternal God!

Written by: Pastor Roger Falk

AMVET Post 51

Prayed Graveside:  0600 Hours May 21, 2010

Eternal God, Supreme Commander of us all, Lord of the far-flung battle line, to whom all ranks of life report, we bow before you with reverent hearts and in sublime faith, knowing that you lead us on in death as you do in life.

Once again you ordered servants of our country to lay down their arms and dwell forever with the unnumbered multitude. Mindful of service nobly done, you have called them to everlasting rest. You have sealed their lips. You have called them to eternal peace.

Hear now the sorrows of those who mourn. Touch their tired hearts with healing. Protect them with your holy care. Keep clean and bright in memory the splendid flame that now has flickered out!  Shelter us with your divine compassion. Join us with those whose daily lives are an offering to duty and their native land. Inspire us by their example that we may die worthy of like service. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who gave his life as a sacrifice for all mankind. Amen.

 

For once I have to come to President Obama's defense. He doesn't deserve the heat he's taking over the change in funeral protocol that replaces "On behalf of the President" with "On behalf of the  "Secretary of Defense" Click here and you make the call.

But I will not cut him any slack for his apology to Afghanistan's President Karzai when our troops unintentionally burned copies of the Koran.

Click here for an apology that's more to my liking.