[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 98 (Thursday, June 18, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4287-S4290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING VIETNAM VETERANS AND NORTH DAKOTA'S SOLDIERS WHO LOST THEIR
LIVES IN VIETNAM
Ms. HEITKAMP. Mr. President, I rise today to again speak about the
North Dakotans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our
country in the Vietnam war.
Since March, I have had the honor of learning from families about the
lives
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of their sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, and uncles who died during
the Vietnam war.
Before speaking about the 13 of the 198 North Dakota young men who
didn't return home from Vietnam, I want to first talk about Dan
Stenvold of Park River. Dan is a Vietnam veteran who survived the war.
While a student at Sargent Central High School, Dan thought about
joining the military. After graduation, he felt he should grow up
before going to college, and he enlisted in the Army. He was sent to
Vietnam and served three continuous tours of duty there. His records
count that he was in Vietnam for 802 days. After returning home from
Vietnam, Dan enrolled in college at North Dakota State School of
Science in Wahpeton so he could fulfill his dream of playing college
football. The combination of Dan's time in Vietnam and a football knee
injury made Dan feel old, and he left college. He then had a 33-year
career with Polar Communications in Park River.
In 1999, the North Dakota Vietnam Veterans of America voted him as
their State president, and he has served in that position for the last
16 years. For the last 6 years, he has served on the National Board of
Vietnam Veterans of America. The national president asked him to run
for another 2-year term, and I wish Dan well in that upcoming election.
Dan also serves his community as a member of the DAV, AMVETS, VFW,
and the American Legion, and he is currently in his third term as mayor
of the city of Park River in North Dakota.
Dan is proud of his three wonderful children and seven grandchildren.
Agent Orange exposure education is one of his top priorities. He has
seen his own family affected by the side effects of Agent Orange. Dan
is grateful to the North Dakota State Legislature for once again
approving funding for education and outreach related to Agent Orange
exposure.
I thank Dan for his continuing service to our country.
And please, Dan, keep up your good work on behalf of the citizens of
your community and Vietnam veterans all across this country.
Richard ``Rich'' Boehm
Richard ``Rich'' Boehm was born on June 23, 1951. He was from Mandan.
He served in the Army's 198th Infantry Brigade. Rich died on March 26,
1971. He was 19 years old.
Rich was one of six children. All three boys served our country in
the military--Marvin and Clarence in the Army National Guard and Rich
in the Army.
Rich served in Vietnam with Myron Johnson from Mandaree, and they
became very close friends. Rich was engaged, and Myron was going to be
his best man.
Keith Nolan's book ``Sappers in the Wire: The Life and Death of
Firebase Mary Ann'' includes details of the day Rich and Myron died.
Rich and Myron were in a foxhole together, ran for safety, and were
both shot in the back and killed.
Dennis Bollinger was assigned to escort Rich's body home, and his
family knew Rich's family. Dennis continues to serve our State and my
community of Mandan as the current city of Mandan chief of police.
Rich's brother Marvin says he is grateful to Rich's squad leader who
contacted him from Texas and shared memories and photos of Rich during
his time in Vietnam.
Larry Jacobson
Larry Jacobson was from Norma. He was born on March 15, 1949. He
served in the Army's 1st Aviation Brigade. Larry was 21 years old when
he died August 26, 1970.
He was the second of six children and grew up on his family's farm
near Norma. He attended grade school in Norma and high school in
Kenmare. His best friend in high school, Craig Livingston, remembers
Larry as a shy person who never had an enemy.
Larry's older brother remembers the week Larry was killed in Vietnam.
The family had been in Fargo celebrating his sister's graduation from
nursing school. They had planned to host a party at home, too, but when
they arrived home, there were a sergeant and captain waiting for them
to deliver the news of Larry's death.
This year on Memorial Day weekend, a large memorial was dedicated at
the Mouse River Park honoring Renville County veterans. The memorial
includes Larry's photo, images of the soldier's cross, and a helicopter
like the one Larry was riding in when it was shot down and he was
killed.
Carl Woods
Carl Woods was from Bottineau. He was born June 8, 1933. He served as
a Navy pilot. Carl was 32 years old when he died on September 28, 1965.
His father Monte also served our country during World War I, and six
of the eight boys in Carl's family served in the military.
Carl was an honor student in high school and college in Bottineau,
where he made the All-Conference Football team. He then chose to enlist
in the Navy. He served our country as a Navy pilot for over 12 years,
reaching the rank of lieutenant commander.
While serving in the Vietnam war, Carl's plane was hit by an anti-
aircraft missile. Instead of bailing out over North Vietnam, Carl
maneuvered the plane 40 miles to the Tonkin Gulf, where he died after
his parachute failed to open.
The family is grateful to Carl's wingman for sharing with them the
details of Carl's service and extraordinary flight skills the day he
died.
In addition to his brother, Carl left behind his wife Elaine and
three children, Mark, Jennifer, and Kathryn.
Carl is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
This summer, the Bottineau AMVETS Post 25 is going to rename
themselves the Carl J. Woods Memorial Post 25 in honor of Carl's
service and his sacrifice.
Joel Ellington
Joel Ellington was from Rolette. He was born January 21, 1945. He
served in the Navy. Joel was 22 years old when he died on June 26,
1967.
Joel was the oldest of three boys. They were 3 years apart in age. At
Rolette High School, Joel played in the band. Right after high school,
Joel enlisted in the Navy. After serving 2 years, he returned home and
worked in the local grocery store.
Due to the Vietnam war draft, Joel reenlisted in hopes that his
brothers, Dennis and Doyle, would not have to serve in Vietnam. Dennis
said of Joel's reenlistment, ``I think he did that to try to protect
me; he didn't think they'd take two brothers.''
David Haegele
David Haegele was from Napoleon. He was born on September 28, 1948.
He served in the Army's 25th Infantry Division. David died February 28,
1969. He was 20 years old.
He was the fifth of eight children and grew up on his family's dairy
farm. His brother Tim also served our country in the Marines.
David's family said that he was such a kind person and a hard worker.
They remember his jokes and how much he enjoyed playing fun pranks on
people.
David's letters home to his family requested three things he and his
fellow soldiers desired most: Kool-Aid, baked goods, and dry socks.
His mother gave David's niece Veronica a box she filled with David's
things, such as the letters he mailed home from Vietnam and his wallet.
She said that Veronica would know what to do with them. About 3 months
before David's mother passed away at age 95, Veronica finished David's
scrapbook, and his mother thought it was perfect.
Garry Klein
Garry Klein was born November 22, 1947. He served in the Marine
Corps' Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
Garry was 19 years old when he died on May 27, 1967.
He was third from the youngest of nine children. His sister Arlene
said that Garry was an easygoing kid who was lighthearted and never
caused any trouble. She remembers the cartoons he liked to draw.
Garry chose to enlist in the Marines to serve his country. When he
went home during Christmastime on leave, he told Arlene and her
children, ``I won't see you again, but you may see me.''
He died almost exactly 1 year after he graduated from high school.
Randy Lee Hansen
Randy Lee Hansen was born October 23, 1948. He was from South Dakota,
but he was living in Williston when he enlisted. He served in the
Army's 1st Signal Brigade as a field radio repairer. Randy died on
Easter Sunday, April 6, 1969. He was only 20 years old.
[[Page S4289]]
Randy's brothers, Jim and Mike, served our country in the Navy. His
stepbrother, Arthur, also served in the Army.
Randy's brother, Jim, remembers that Randy liked to fish. Jim
believed Randy had some great stories from his time fishing, as many
fishermen do.
While his brothers, step-brothers, step-sister, and mother remained
in South Dakota, Randy attended Williston High School, where his father
was working in Williston as a bricklayer.
In 1966, Randy enlisted in the Army before he graduated from high
school. The product of a service-oriented family, Randy felt it was
important that he serve his country.
Fred Johnson
Fred Johnson was born on November 3, 1939. He grew up in Watford City
and Leeds. He served in the Army's 1st Cavalry Division. Fred was 27
years old when he died on January 20, 1967.
Fred's wife's name was Jacqueline, and they had one son and three
daughters. Their oldest child, Richard, said that Fred loved to hunt
and fish. Fred's dad was a game warden and Fred would go to work with
his dad sometimes. They would bring home injured animals and nurse them
back to health. Among the most memorable animals were a white owl, a
baby skunk that behaved like a pet cat, and a raccoon that he kept for
6 years.
After high school, Fred joined the Army. He served for 7 years before
he was killed in action in Vietnam on his second tour of duty.
Fred's son, Richard, remembers going fishing with his dad often and
fishing together the week before Fred left for Vietnam on his second
tour of duty.
Fred's brother, Robert, said he took Fred to the airport before he
returned to Vietnam the last time. Fred was scared and didn't know if
he would be back again.
Fred died shortly thereafter when his vehicle hit a landmine.
Lyle Johannes
Lyle Johannes was born June 25, 1949, and spent his high school years
in Kulm. He served in the Army as a radio operator. Lyle died January
29, 1970. He was 20 years old.
Lyle was the oldest of four children. His youngest sister, Sally,
said that Lyle was a happy person who didn't get rattled by anything.
He loved a good joke and had lots of friends. Sally said, ``You'd never
want to turn your back on him because you never knew what he might
do!'' He was a daredevil who loved motorcycles, had a number of
Hondas--and crashes--over the years. He spent a lot of time hanging
over the engine of a car. He would buy old cars and fix them up. He
also worked on the cars of elderly women who lived in town. After high
school, he attended a technical college in Denver for mechanics.
Lyle was glad to be in the Army serving in Vietnam. He kind of
``adopted'' a young Vietnamese boy. The boy really liked blue jeans and
a turtleneck sweater, so Lyle asked his mom to send them for him. She
said she sent them as well as other things, but for packing material
she put popcorn in Lyle's packages. When the packages arrived, the
soldiers would eat the stale popcorn because they were so happy to have
something from home.
Lyle was accidentally killed by friendly fire. Since his death, the
family occasionally finds items someone leaves on Lyle's grave.
Lyle had shipped cashmere sweaters home for the family as Christmas
presents in late 1969. The package arrived after his funeral in January
of 1970.
Eric Nadeau
Eric Nadeau was born November 12, 1948. He was from Grand Forks and
was a member of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa. He served in the
Army's 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles. Eric died May 26,
1969, just days before his tour of duty was scheduled to end. He was 20
years old.
He was the eldest child of his family and had three sisters. Eric's
sisters remember how much he loved hunting game in the Turtle Mountains
before he enlisted in the Army, and they think that is part of the
reason why he joined the Armed Forces.
Everyone liked Eric. He had a circle of friends he grew up with, and
if he was ever in town on break from the service, Eric and his best
friend Dale were inseparable. Wherever Dale was, one could find Eric,
and vice versa.
His sister remembers a time when Eric came home and surprised their
mother. She and her mother were playing bingo in the local church
basement. When he walked into the room, everything stopped, and
everyone stood up and sang the National Anthem. Eric's mother was
shocked and thrilled.
Eric died when his company was outnumbered and overrun. He jumped
back in to save his crew members, and did save some, but was killed in
the process. Eric's sister thinks of Eric not only as her brother but
her hero.
Fred Jansonius
Fred Jansonius was born June 23, 1948. He was from Jamestown. He
served in the Army's 9th Infantry Division. Fred died February 2, 1968.
He was only 19 years old.
He was the oldest of four children. His sister, Claire, said that
Fred was a gentle soul and that his younger siblings looked up to him.
In high school, Fred was a good student and enjoyed photography, golf,
and tennis. After graduation, he attended Drake University and studied
journalism.
One of his Drake professors told Fred's class, ``To be a good
journalist, you really need to see the world.'' Fred's draft number was
high, but he was deferred for being in college. So he quit college and
traveled to New York City to see part of the world while waiting to be
drafted.
Claire shared some of Fred's letters he wrote home to his family,
which revealed a talent for writing and the wisdom of someone who had
definitely seen his share of the world in his 19 years. Many of his
letters included vivid descriptions of Fred's experiences in Vietnam,
so you could imagine Fred sleeping in a cemetery, using a bag of
grenades for a pillow or his fellow soldiers drinking Coca-Colas and
using their imaginations to create their own entertainment.
After Fred was killed in Vietnam, his casket arrived in Jamestown on
the train. The same conductor who drove the train the day Fred left to
go to basic training was driving the train that delivered Fred's body
back to Jamestown.
About a year ago, one of Fred's officers, Lee Moorman, was traveling
the United States visiting the graves of the soldiers he knew in
Vietnam. Lee told Fred's family that Fred liked to read and was well
liked by everyone.
Gregory Krueger
Gregory Krueger was born March 1, 1949. He was from Garrison. He
served in the Army's 173rd Airborne Division. Gregory died July 17,
1970. He was 21 years old.
He was the oldest of three boys. His brother, Stephen, said that
Gregory was hard-working, responsible, and well-liked by everyone who
knew him.
Stephen remembers that Gregory loved everything to do with the farm.
He had fond memories of working with Gregory, hauling many bales of hay
on Saturdays. Their brother, Fred, continues to farm that family farm
today.
Gregory had a special relationship with a nearby farmer who trusted
him at a young age to run his farm equipment and to help on the farm.
Gregory hoped to eventually take over the neighbor's farm after
completing his service in Vietnam.
The Heritage Park in Garrison is currently in the process of adding a
stone memorial in memory of Gregory's service and his family's
sacrifice.
Richard Hovland
Richard Hovland was from Williston, and he was born August 12, 1946.
He served in the Army's 20th Engineer Brigade. Richard was 21 years old
when he died on January 31, 1968.
He was one of four children and his family and friends called him
Ricky.
Growing up, Richard was active in the Boy Scouts. He played baseball
and sang in the choir. His sister, Deanne, remembers his beautiful
voice and him singing country music in their living room with his
friend, Charles Hanson.
Deanne thought she and her brother were the coolest when he would
drop her off at school in his Chevy Impala. She looked up to Richard
very much. When he left for Vietnam, she was in junior high and was in
awe about what he was going to do.
Deanne said Richard was a fun-loving and family-oriented man who was
especially kind and good with their brother, Duane, who had Down
Syndrome. Richard always mentioned Duane in his letters he sent home
from Vietnam.
After completing his service in Vietnam, Richard had plans to go to
college
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and become a farmer. Deanne has drawings that Richard made of the
farmhouse he wanted to build on the land he was picking out in the
Williston area. His parents Arlene and Oscar often said Richard wanted
to farm and loved the land so much that he didn't realize his true
calling was becoming an architect.
These are just some of the stories of North Dakotans who sacrificed
their lives on behalf of our country in Vietnam.
I have to say that every time I do this, I wonder who would they be
today. Would they be standing here instead of me? But I do know the men
and women in uniform who serve our country continue to serve when they
take off the uniform. I also know our country suffers a great loss any
time we lose a young man or a young woman in service of our country.
That loss must be remembered, it must be respected, and we can never
forget.
In this anniversary and commemoration of the Vietnam war, it is so
important that we spend our time talking about the sacrifices our
country and our servicemen gave in Vietnam and continue to give through
the ravages of Agent Orange--the issue Dan worked so hard on. They
continue to suffer the post-traumatic stress that was part of that
service, and they continue to overrepresent in the homeless populations
and populations of people who continue to be troubled from the
experiences they suffered in Vietnam.
So today we celebrate these lives and we think about who they might
have been. We offer a very humble and grateful thank-you to all of the
family members who have helped us with these memorials but who have
experienced this loss in a way we will never understand.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sasse). The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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