2011 Veterans Guide

Honoring Our VeteransDuty H Respect H pRiDe H FReeDom

n o v e m b e R 1 1 , 2 0 1 1

Our freedom has been secured thanks to the service,sacrifice and courage of our veterans

2 H HONORING OUR VETERANS

W o r l d W a r i i v e t e r a n s

World War I — known at the time as “The Great War” — officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed No-vember 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.

An Act approved May 13, 1938, made November 11th a legal holiday — a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Ar-mistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but eventually the word “Armistice” was replaced with the word “Veterans” to hon-or all veterans.

The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Fed-eral employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays.

In 1978, the annual observance of Veterans Day re-turned to its original date of November 11.

Source: www.va.gov

History of Veterans Day

Cortez JournalHonoring Our Veterans

Publisher ............................................ Suzy Meyer

Advertising Director ............................ Mark Drudge

Section Editor ..................................... Dale Shrull

Layout and Production ....................... Linda McDarby

Cover Design ....................................... Linda McDarby

Reporter ............................................. Dale Shrull

Photography ....................................... Sam Green, Dale Shrull

“United in this determination and with unshakable faith in the cause for which we fight, we will,

with God’s help, go forward to our greatest victory.” — General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1944)

David K. AllenAge: 87

Military Service: U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945

From Dove Creek

Memories: “I was the nose gun-ner and togglier (noncommissioned Bombardier) on a B-24 bomber. We

destroyed Germany’s infrastructure by flying deep into enemy territory and bombing railroad marshalling yards, airports, oil refineries, ammu-nition dumps, military installations, and factories.”

David is a charter member and has a lifetime membership in the Troy Young VFW Post 5181 in Dove Creek.

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Jack MastersAge: 88

Has lived in Cortez for more than a year

Military Service: U.S. Air Force, served from 1942 to 1945 in Far East and South Pa-cific.

Memories: Jack was part of 37 bombing raids over Japan during the war, including one raid where 90 B-24 bombers were dispatched.

He also remembers bomb-ing Iwo Jima. “We had quite a few raids there. It was like a big pyramid that comes out of the sea,” he said about the island.

Jack said that some of the missions were quite harrow-ing. “One time we got hit and had to come home on three engines.”

He said they were given a simple directive if they were ever shot down by the Japa-nese.

“We were told, do not be taken prisoner, you take out as many Japanese as possible with your .45 but leave the last shot for yourself.”

More Veterans Day Coverage: In Today and Sat-urday’s Cortez Journal — stories about the Cortez Honor Guard, a veteran who learned a trade in the military, a soldier who survived a vicious ambush in Vietnam and a man who earned his diploma 51 years after his Navy service.

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Robert “Bob” Knoll, 86, served in the South Pacific during World War II. He was involved in some of the most deadly battles of the war. Fighting the Japanese, Bob says the worst and most horrific times occurred during his time on the famous island of Iwo Jima. Some of the fiercest battles of the entire war raged on this volcanic island.

“Iwo Jima was the worst,” Bob says from his home south of Cortez. “I lost a lot of friends there.”

Bob’s courage and valor were rec-ognized on a number of occasions. His living-room wall has some of the accommodations he received for his service.

As a member of the 4th Marine Division from 1943 to 1945, Bob was awarded at least three Bronze Stars for heroism. He admits that he doesn’t remember how many times he was recognized for heroism and the medals have long been put away.

Bob was wounded several times and still has about a dozen chunks of

shrapnel in his body.“I won’t show you where,” he says

with a chuckle.“Mostly from hand grenades,” he

says about getting wounded. Then he recalls one especially terrifying time.

A Japanese soldier lobbed a hand

grenade into the middle of some U.S. troops, so Bob snatched it and tried to throw it back.

“I grabbed the grenade but I couldn’t get rid of it quick enough.”

It exploded in his hand but he says it didn’t hurt his hand too much. In-stead his eye and shoulder were in-jured. Bob also fought on the island of Saipan, south of Iwo Jima. It was there that Bob remembers one fierce, deadly battle when he killed six Japa-nese soldiers.

“I was in this cave and it was just me and six (Japanese). I shot and killed all of them. But then I heard someone move and one of them was pulling his rifle up to take a shot at me.”

Bob said he quickly shot the man again.

“I was pretty good with my gun,” he says smiling.

Bob was born in Delta and raised in Silverton, where he did some mining. After the war, he taught math at area high schools.

Memorable times in WWII for Knoll

Bob Knoll

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George FenderAge: 88

Military Service: United States Air Force from 1942 to 1945

He lived in Cortez from 1949 to 1962. Taught junior high and high

school in Cortez for three years. Also worked at KVFC Radio. George now lives in Loveland wife his wife of 66 years Dorothy.

During WWII, George flew 49 mis-sions in the South Pacific and earned seven Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart medal.

Memories: On one mission, his plane was shot down and he and the crew had to bail out.

George said he enjoyed his time in Cortez.

“I loved Cortez, I really hated to leave.”


Roscoe HawksAge: 91

Has lived in Cortez for more than 5 years

Military Service: U.S. Navy Construction Battalions — 60th Seabees; rank: Carpenter Mate 3rd Class

Served from 1942 to 1946 in South Pacific from Australia to Okinawa

Memories: “I am very proud of the accomplish-ments the 60th Seabees contributed to the war ef-fort. The most newsworthy was the airbase we built on Woodlark Island (New Guinea). Thirteen and a half days after landing, the first squadron of fighter planes landed. A record that was never broken. Fif-teen inches of rain fell during the first week. When it wasn’t raining we had to endure Japanese bombing raids. We also built entire bases including roads, jet-ties, tank farms, camps, hospitals, PT boat facilities etc. As the war moved northward, we moved with it. And did it all over again.

What’s a Seabee?: The Seabees have a history of building bases, bulldozing and paving thousands of miles of roadway and airstrips, and accomplishing myriad other construction projects in a wide vari-ety of military theaters dating back to World War II. Their motto was “We build, we fight!”

Joseph KotnyndkAge: 86

Hometown: born in Marion, Mich. Has lived in Cortez since 1991

Military Service: U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946

Joseph served on a Navy ship during Okinawa campaign as an Electrician’s mate; he also worked on the forward port-side 20MM gun during combat.

Memories: “We were there when (a U.S. destroyer) sunk and we took on survivors.”

He also recalls a deadly typhoon with winds of more than 140 mph that hit the South Pacific in the winter of 1944. Several ships were sunk but he said his ship, a Landing Craft Support Large (LCSL), which were also known as the Mighty Midgets, stayed afloat and helped rescue survivors.

Some of his most memorable experi-ences came near the end of the war.

“We were in the Sea of Japan when the first bomb dropped (Hiroshima).”

The second bomb was dropped three days later on Nagasaki.

A few days later, Japan surrendered.“When word of the surrender came

down, you should have seen all the flares and guns being shot off. That was quite a moment.”

Honor Flight: In May of this year, Joseph traveled to Washington D.C. as part of the Honor Flight program.

“We saw all the memorials but the World War II Memorial was the most impressive for me. The Western Slope Honor Flight group was the best orga-nized group. They treated all of us old vets with lots of respect.”

David TotmanAge: 86

Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y.; has lived in Cortez since 1956

Military Service: U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946

Fought in Italy in the Po Valley cam-paign

Memories: “I was well armed and capable but I never shot at anyone,” David says.

“I’m very proud that I served and I’m very fortunate I wasn’t injured or killed.”

He returned to Italy with his wife Mary a few years ago.

“I wasn’t a tourist when I was there before,” he says with a grin.

After the service, David graduated from Syracuse University then came to Cortez where he taught science at Montezuma-Cortez High School for 30 years.

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Four young men from Cor-tez posed for a photograph prior to heading to Denver to join the U.S. Navy in De-cember 1951. Pictured from left are: Jess Lancaster, Dale Walters, Archer Swank and Darrell McComb. Three of the men, Lancaster, Walters and Swank, all ended up on the same ship, the USS Ly-man K. Swenson. The three spent their entire service together. They first were put on a train to San Diego for their Naval training, then it was off to war in the South Pacific.

Ready for Duty

This photo appeared in the Dolores Star newspaper in 1923. The caption read: Boys Enlist: Three Dolores boys signed applications for enlistment in the air corps of the U.S. Army at Durango this week. They are: Victor Sundquist, Gor-don Smith and RIchard Tibbits. Congratulations, boys. Here’s hoping for you, lots of luck.

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i n m e m o r y

Leonard A HammockU.S. Navy

1943 to 1946Tribute from Lea, Darin, Liv and Brooklyn James

RichardJessup

Richard graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1990. He left shortly after graduation for the Marine Corps.

Richard served in Desert Storm arriv-ing on Christmas day 1990. He completed his service with the Marines in 1994.

RoderickNesmith

Roderick graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1989 and

entered the Marine Corps in Sept. 1989.

In 1990, he served in Desert Storm where he was a helicopter me-chanic. He later served in Somalia.

Rod became a crew chief and while on a training flight was killed when the heli-copter he was traveling in crashed on Feb. 14, 2002.

He left behind a wife, five children, his par-

ents, two brothers and a sister.

Rod was named after his dad’s best friend who was killed in Vietnam.

Russel Aulston

Military Service: U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945, fought in World War II.

Russel fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he was wounded and taken prisoner. He was set free when General Patton’s 44th Divi-sion busted through the steel gates of the prison with its tanks.

Sixty-six years af-ter he was wound-ed, he received medals for his valor. In July of this year, Russel received the Bronze Star, the Purple

Heart and the Prisoner of War medal. Russel passed away on Oct. 15 at the age of 93. Russel Aulston from World War II.

Herbert Fuller McCutcheonWorld War I veteran:

Herbert was born in Tennessee on July 21, 1896 and entered the Army in the fall of 1918. He served in France with the 57th Infan-try. His military service ended in 1919

Herbert moved to Cortez in 1935 and op-erated the Cannon Ball Bus for several years.

Herbert’s family includes his son G.W. Mc-Cutheon of Cortez, granddaughters Debie Schmitt and Gail Barker of Cortez, and deceased grand-sons Mike McCutcheon, who died in 2000, and Tim McCutcheon, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and died in 1983.

Carl Anton Maria Eugene Rollmann

1835-1897, Civil War vet-eran

Born in Germany and five years after arriving in the U.S. he became a U.S. citizen; then in 1861, he en-listed in the 11th Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Calvary. He participated in the engagement of Shiloh, Corinth and Sherman’s ex-pedition to Mississippi and many others.

He served nearly four years and re-enlisted with

the rank of Sgt. Major. In 1864 he was commissioned Quartermaster and First Lieutenant. His service end-ed in 1865. Eugene wrote a chronicle of his regiment throughout the war, which was donated to the Illinois State Historical Library. Several of his hand-drawn maps of the Vicksburg, Miss. still exist.

Eugene is the great grand-father of Joan Rollmann Tozer. She is married to Chester Tozer and they live in McElmo Canyon.

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f a m i l y t r a d i t i o n

The Condons

Andrew Condon Sr.Military Service: U.S.

Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983

Served in Okinawa, JapanHe is from Dolores

Gideon CondonMilitary Service: U.S.

Navy, 2008 to presentServing aboard the USS

Houston submarine in the South Pacific.

He is a 2006 graduate of Dolores High School

Simon Peter Condon

Military Service: U.S. Navy, 2011 to present

Currently in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in Los Angeles

He is a 2011 graduate of Dolores High School Gideon Condon Simon Peter Condon

Andrew Condon Sr.

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The Leonards

Linley L. LeonardAge: 59

Military Service: U.S. Navy from 1973 to 1994; E9 Master Chief Petty Officer

Served in Far East, VietnamFrom Cortez

Memory: Linley said his time during the evacuatiotn of Saigon at the end of the Viet-nam War was a memorable time.

Zada LeonardAge: 54

Military Service: U.S. Navy from 1980 to 1988; E4 Petty Officer Third Class

Served in Philippines, Washington D.C.From Cortez

Memory: Zada said her deployment to the Philippines and serving in San Fran-cisco were some of her most memorable times in the service.

Noah LeonardAge: 28

Military Service: U.S. Navy, 2009 to Pres-ent

From Cortez

Memory: Noah said he’s especially proud of following the Leonard Navy tra-dition of his mother and father, and his grandfather, who served in World War II.


The Garcia Family

Alex GarciaAge: 80

Military Service: U.S. Navy, 1950 to 1953

Hometown: Durango native, has lived in Cortez since 1977

Alex is one of five brothers who were in the military. Their father, Si-mon Ben Garcia served in World War I.

Ben Garcia, the oldest, served in the Air Force in World War II and Korea; Alex Garcia was in the Navy and served in Korea; Johnny Gar-

cia served in Vietnam while he was in the Army; Billy Garcia and Larry Garcia were both in the Air Force and served in Vietnam.

Larry and Alex are the only living brothers. Larry lives in Alaska.

Alex went to Fort Lewis College on a baseball scholarship as a catcher and had a tryout with the New York Giants.

Memories: While in the service, Ben was on a supply ship that picked up supplies at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and dropped them off at all the is-lands along the way to Japan.

He also did some deep sea diving where he broke his left ear drum, and he still can’t hear out of the ear.

Robert & Darla Sanders

Robert SandersAge: 64

Military Service: U.S. Air Force, Chief Master SergeantLives in MancosServed for 30 years; served in Vietnam for three tours. Also served in Guam, Thai-

land, Okinawa, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Africa, Italy. France, German and a number of Air Force bases during his active and temporary duty.

Darla SandersAge: 53

Military Service: U.S. Air Force, Chief Master SergeantLives in MancosServed in Korea, England, Guam, Saudi Arabia and a number of Air Force bases

during her active and temporary duty.

Bobby and Eva Jones

Have lived in Cortez since 1973Eva, 92, served with the Army Nurse

Corps from 1942 to 1946She was stationed in England, France

and Fort Bliss, Texas“There were a few tense moments,” Eva

said about her time overseas.She was in England during the D-Day in-

vasion and then in early May 1945, she was in France when the German army surren-dered.

There was quite a celebration, she said.Bobby, 93, first joined the National

Guard in Durango in 1937. He shipped out

in November 1943 and spent 18 months in the South Pacific in places like Australia and New Guinea.

“I remember once it rained 30 inches in 24 hours when I was in New Guinea,” he said.

Bobby served with the 106th Field Bat-talion.

Bobby served with the National Guard from 1937 to 1945; then he joined again in 1949 and served until he retired in 1967.

“I enjoyed the National Guard all the way through,” he said.

Bobby and Eva first met before the war in Durango and were married on Feb. 7, 1948.

Eva retired from nursing in 1984.

Linley Leonard

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Richard TibbitsFred Tibbits

Gary Tibbits

The Tibbits Men

Fred Leroy Tibbits Fred enlisted in the Army and served

in World War I.He received a Purple Heart after be-

ing wounded in the battle of Chateau-Thierry.

Richard Joe Tibbits Richard enlisted in the Army Air

Corps on his 18th birthday.He achieved the rank of Technical

Sergeant and was stationed in England during World War II where he served as typist to General James Doolittle of the famous Doolittle Raid.

Gary Leroy Tibbits Gary enlisted in the Air Force after

graduation from high school in 1965. He was an aircraft maintenance spe-

cialist and served in Vietnam.

A new memorial is set to be dedicated 11 a.m. at the Cortez Cemetery, located on U.S. Highway 160 on the east end of town.

Those wishing to participate in the parade can pick up entry forms at the Cortez Journal, the Cortez Recreation Center or by e-mailing [email protected]. The theme of this year’s parade is “patriotism on parade.”

The Veterans Day Parade is set to com-mence at 1 p.m., starting at the Montezuma County Senior Center, 103 N. Chestnut St., and proceeding east down Montezuma Avenue and north on North Harrison to the American Legion Hall, where a reception, refreshments, veterans recognitions and a performance by the Mesa Howlers singing group are sched-uled to follow after the parade.

Lastly, a veterans dance is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Mancos Veterans of Foreign Wars/Opera House near the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Mesa Street in Mancos.

The public is invited, and veterans needing a ride can call 565-8151.

For more information, call Linley Leonard at 560-4350.

Elks hosts free Veterans Day lunchThe Cortez Elks Lodge 1789 will host a free

luncheon for all active military, veterans, and their spouses from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Cortez Elk’s Lodge, 2100 N. Do-

lores Road. We at the lodge would like to thank all mili-

tary and veterans for their service to our coun-try.

For questions, contact Dennis at 882-2614.

Free meal at Denny’sOn Friday, Nov. 11 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at

the Cortez Denny’s, diners with a valid military ID card will receive a free Grand Slam, bever-age not included. Featuring two eggs, two bacon strips, two sausage links and two fluffy buttermilk pancakes, Denny’s world-famous Grand Slam is a hearty and delicious meal fit for America’s finest.

Financial assistanceThe Disabled American Veterans, in con-

junction with the VA Clinic, has been able to secure a small grant for the purpose of provid-ing financial assistance for all veterans, both disabled and nonrated.

The grant money may be used to pay for travel expenses to and from VA medical facili-ties, for medications, or even to offset the cost of food, rent, or utilities. If you are a veteran and need any form of financial assistance, contact the DAV and we will do our best to assist you.

Direct your calls to Dale R. Wilson, treasurer for DAV Dunger Smith Chapter 44, at 882-4531.

Veterans Day Briefs

We cherish our freedom...Thank You Veterans

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Three Generations of Military Service

Leroy Underwood (Father)Military Service: U.S. Army from 1942

to 1945 in World War II. Third Army Medical Unit 182.

Served in European theatre, including England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Germany and fought in the Bat-tle of the Bulge.

Gary Underwood (Son) Military Service: U.S. Navy from 1968

to 1972. Petty Officer, 3rd Class. Naval submarine training

Assigned to on-shore active duty dur-ing the Vietnam War and duty aboard the USS Coral Sea.

Gary graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1966 and follow-ing his military service received a bach-elor’s degree from Fort Lewis College.

Dwayne Bond (Grandson)Military Service: U.S. Navy from 1988

to 1992. Active duty at Norfolk, Virginia on USS Trenton (LPD-14). Boatswain’s Mate Petty Officer 3rd class, and 3” 50 caliber Gun Mount Operator (LSO).

Service included Operation Eastern Exit (Mogadishu, Somalia). Served on the USS Guam, the USS Trenton, the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Air Force AC-130s and Navy SEALs successfully evacuated 281 diplomats off the coast of Somalia, Africa. Operation Desert Shield (1990), Operation Desert Storm (1991) Persian Gulf off the coast of Ku-wait. Three 6-month Mediterranean Sea operations.

Dwayne graduated from Montezu-ma-Cortez High School in 1988 and fol-lowing his military service received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado.


Pearley Tozer

Eugene W. Tozer

Chester Tozer

The Tozer Brothers

Pearley TozerThe oldest Tozer brother, Pearley, served in World War II and was a mine sweep-

er in North Africa, then went to Italy with the 10th Mountain Division with the U.S. Army. He was wounded at least three times.

Eugene W. TozerEugene, the middle brother, served in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Hawaii

on an aircraft carrier. He was discharged in 1945.

Chester TozerChester served in Korea from 1952 to 1954 with the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine

Division. The Tozer brothers were all born and raised in McElmo Canyon. Chester is the only surviving brother.

Chester Tozer poemWritten while he was serving in Korea

“Korea”

Out across the Pacific, Korea was the spot.Where we were doomed to spend our time in the land that God forgot.We were the United States Marines.Earning our measly pay, guarding people with mil-lions for a couple of bucks a day.No one knew we were living. No one gave a damn. At home we were forgotten. We belong to Uncle Sam.We swore, we fought and froze. It was more than a man could stand.We weren’t supposed to be convicts, just defenders of our land.Living with our memories, thinking of our gals.Hoping while we were gone, they wouldn’t marry our pals.If we should manage to get to heaven. To Saint Peter we will say,We will guard the streets of heaven and protect the personnel.You can’t send us down below Sir, we’ve already spent our time in Hell.

Dwayne Bond

Leroy Underwood

Gary Underwood

Dale Wilson, right, poses for a photo with his daughter Leeah and her husband Brodie Hoyer. Dale is holding a frame of medals that Brodie received from three tours in Iraq and Afghani-stan. Brodie is still serving in the U.S. Army.

The Wilsons

Dale R. WilsonAge: 64

Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps from 1965 top 1969

Served in Vietnam

Hometown: Stillwater, Minn; has lived in Dolores since 1999

Memory: “Scuba school in Hawaii was one of the most fun and interest-ing things I’ve ever done.”

Leeah R. (Wilson) Hoyer

Age: 30Military Service: U.S. Army from

1999 to 2006Served at West Point, N.Y., German,

Iraq and Kuwait

Hometown: Dickinson, N.D.; has lived on and off in Dolores since 2006

Her father is Dale Wilson

Memory: “My time spent in Kuwait.”

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c u r r e n t l y s e r v i n g

Clinton J. CriddleAge: 22

Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps since Oct. 2008

Preparing to return to Afghanistan for his second tour.

Moved to Cortez in 1999. Clinton’s fa-ther is Ray Criddle of Cortez.

Katie (Drudge) ZornesSenior AirmenU.S. Air ForceKatie is currently serving in GuamHer father is Mark Drudge of Cortez

Harry L. Nolan 2007 Montezuma-Cortez High School

graduateMilitary Service: U.S. Army from 2007

to presentHarry spent two years in Germany

and is now stationed at Fort Drum, New York. He recently returned from serving a year in Afghanistan in Kandahar.

He returned home safely to his fam-ily in September 2011. He has served 4 years of a 5 year enlistment.

“I am thankful that I have received the opportunity to serve my country and help keep it free,” Harry said.

Harry’s family, all of Cortez, includes his mother Deborah Kennell, broth-er Kyle Kennell, wife Ashley Colcord, grandparents Sherman and Diane Ken-nell, and his step-father is Michael Ken-nell.

PFC Cassandra Jordan of Cortez

and PFC Joseph “J” Kane of Atlanta

The U.S. Army veterans are currently serving in Afghanistan.

The pair have been in the service for a year and a half. Their home base is Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Ricardo GustamantesAge: 38

Military Service: U.S. Army, Combat Battalion Engineer, three tours in Iraq; 1990 to present

While serving in Iraq, Ricardo has been awarded the Bronze Star and Pur-ple Heart

He is from Cortez

Sgt. Michael R. RivasAge: 28

Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps, 2004 to present.

Michael’s family includes his mother Dolores Rivas Armenta (deceased), sis-ter Bianca Rivas of Cortez, daughter Natalya Sturgeon of Santa Cruz, Calf., grandparents Fabiloa Rivas of Cortez and the late Chris Rivas of Cortez; aunts Bernadette Archuleta, Libby Rivas and Lily Rivas of Cortez; uncles Robert Rivas of Aztec, N.M. and Glen Rivas of Cortez.

Memory: He said his special memory of his service was his last patrol in Af-ghanistan.

The SkinnersBergen L. Skinner (Baker)

Age: 32Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps,

1997 to present Served in Iraq, 2002 to 2006, 2008 to

2009Rank: Gunnery Sergeant

Michael C. SkinnerAge: 29

Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps, 2001 to present

Served in Iraq in 2006Rank: Staff Sergeant Bergen and Michael have been mar-

ried for three years and currently live in Washington, D.C.

Nathan ZornesStaff Sergeant U.S. Air Force

Currently serving in Guam

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Saluting all our military and

their sacrifices on Veterans Day

and always!

Paul (Latty) Burcher

Age: 79Military Service: U.S.

Army, 1951 to 1955; served in Korea and Germany.

Hometown: Quaker City, Ohio; has lived in Cortez since 1954

Memories: “I was really

surprised at the way the people looked when I got to Korea. I learned that they had been starved for years under Japanese rule.

Paul said he installed communication cable near the front lines and was shot at a few times. “They weren’t very good shots,” he said with a chuckle.

Joe T. GhereAge: 65

Military Service: U.S. Ma-rine Corps. from 1965-1969; National Guard 1975-1986; Army 1986-1996

Served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967

Lived in Durango from 1986 to 1996; has lived in Cortez since 1996

Joe entered the Marines in June 1965 at the age of 18 and was in Vietnam in February 1966.

Memories: Joe says he re-members a battle when the VietCong overran their posi-

tion and several U.S. soldiers were killed.

One thing he remembers was how a Marine volunteered for duty.

“(An officer said) you guys just volunteered to man the howitzer battalion. That’s how you volunteered.”

Joe says he still has back trouble and his hearing was forever effective from working around and handling heavy artillery shells of up to 204 pounds. The Marines would unload them by hand, pack-ing the shells off trucks on their shoulders.

Ben KingAge: 73

Has lived in Cortez since 2004Military service: U.S. Navy, hospital corps-

man, from 1956 to 1960Pictured with his wife Jeanette. The older

photo was taken on their wedding day on Aug. 18, 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Jess LancasterAge: 78

Hometown: Pleasant View native now lives in Wickenburg, Ariz.

Military Service: U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. Made three trips to Korea

There were four men (Lancaster, Dale Walters, Archer Swank and Darrell McComb) from Cortez that joined the Navy at the same time and three ended up on the same ship (all but Mc-Comb).

Memories: He was on the USS Lyman K. Swenson and it was used to draw fire from the North Korean troops so they could get their location to return fire.

“We saw some tough duty. We would go in close to draw the fire and then the destroy-er would spot that location.”

He also remembers a frightening time when they would set anchor.

“We’d anchor up river and North Koreans would float down on inner tubes to try and get on board our ship, so we had to stand guard with shotguns.”

Michael LaveyAge: 68

Lives in CortezHometown: North

Tonawanda, N.Y., a small rural community between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Military Service: U.S. Navy, two years and four years inac-tive reserve

Michael was 19 during the Cuban Missile Crisis and worked as an Electronics Technician, Radar.

In mid-October 1962 Mi-chael’s ship, the USS Francis Marion, an amphibious attack transport, left Norfolk, Va. in the company of the various other ships of the Amphibious Squadron 12. Michael’s ship stopped in Morehead City, N.C. to pick up its comple-ment of U.S. Marines from Camp Lejeune.

Memories: “We were on a routine training mission to the

Caribbean Sea, we were told. A few days later, President Kennedy announced that there would be a naval block-ade of Cuba because Soviet missiles had been installed there. Our ship was part of this blockade.”

Michael says he remembers a very tense and stressful time during the blockage.

“I remembered that we picked up many Soviet sub-marine radar signals on our gear. I found out later that some Soviet subs had armed their nuclear missiles, ready to fire. Our Air Force had also armed their nuclear bombs about the same time. One of our U2 surveillance planes was shot down over Cuba. Things got very tense. We were at the brink of a nuclear war! The Soviets backed down, be-gan to disassemble the mis-siles and ship them back to Russia. We all breathed a big sigh of relief.”

Dan McCuistion

Age: 61Has lived in Cortez

since 1983Military Service:

U.S. Army, 1969 to 1971; served in Viet-nam

Memories: “There was once when this Frenchman left his plantation (in Viet-nam) and he had an Olympic-sized swim-ming pool and he said we could use it.”

Dan says he still has some difficult memo-ries of his time in Viet-nam and doesn’t like talking about it. When he returned, Vietnam veterans were not em-braced.

“I felt shunned for a lot of years. But I’m very proud of my mili-tary service.”

Senovio GustamantesAge: 73

U.S. Army, 1959 to 19624th Infantry Division, buck ser-

geantHe is from Cortez

Chuck Thompson

Age: 62Has lived in Cortez

since 1985

Military Service: U.S. Army, 1969 to 1971; served in Viet-nam and was wound-ed on May 21, 1970.

Memories: “When I was in it was a very unpopular war. A lot of us served because we were called to serve. I’ve always been proud of my service, proud of what I’ve done and proud to have served my country. It’s very pleasing that people have accepted us more now.”

Abe SaundersAge: 72

Military Service: U.S Navy from 1951 to 1955

Served in the Korean War; served on the USS Brush destroyer.

Lives in MancosMemories: He says Korea

was one of the coldest plac-es he’s ever been.

He also remembers his ship being attacked.

“I was a gunner’s mate. The forward No. 1 gun-mount was hit. I was right under it, where the am-munition was kept. None were killed, but one man’s leg was torn off above the knees, another’s face was hit by shrapnel.”

Abe Saunders, second from the right, performed with a band on the USS Brush during the Korean War.

Authur Wayne Searcy

Age: 69Cahone native

Military Service: U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962

Served in Korea

Special Memory: Dur-ing basic training, he re-members once that he was busy doing some-thing else and didn’t eat right away. And he missed his chance.

“When you go to the mess hall, to eat, you better eat, because you only have so much time.”

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RustyZickefoose

U.S. Navy, 20 yearsChief Petty OfficerServed In Vietnam

from 1969 to 1970 as a hospital corpsman

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Rebecca SpratteAge: 45

Military Service: U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 1988

She joined when she was 17 and was stationed at Hol-loman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

She is the granddaughter of Frances and Luke Lan-caster of Cortez.

Don SwankAge: 64

Cortez area native

Military Service: U.S. Navy, 1965 to 1970; served in Vietnam and was injured in 1970. The at-tack left him 14 injuries and end-ed his military career. Don’s twin brother was killed in Vietnam.

Memories: “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I learned a lot and learned to appreciate what we have here at home.”

Louie SzaboAge: 60Has lived in Cortez since

1971

Military Service: U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973, then until 1977 with the active re-serves. He served overseas in Germany with the 6th Battal-ion 4th Infantry Division.

Louie is especially proud of a Certificate of Apprecia-tion he received following his Army service signed by Pres-ident Richard Nixon, Com-mander in Chief.

Memories: “It made me a better person, it gave me

confidence,” he said about his service. “I was the kid with the thick-rimmed glass-es. I was the kid that got sand kicked in my face. Then I was the guy who kicked the sand.”

Robert Carl Tucker

U.S. Marine Corps, 1953 to 1961

Corporal 3rd Battalion 5th Marines 1st Marine Division

Wayne NolanAge: 62

Military Service: U.S. Air Force from 1968 to 1971; served in Vietnam

Memories: Wayne said get-ting letters from home and cookies from his older sister was always a special time, since that was the first time he’d been very far from home. A couple of memories that weren’t too special for Wayne were the huge rice beetles that were bigger than his thumb and would crawl on his chest at night. He was also disap-pointed by the way many of the Vietnam veterans were treat-ed when they returned from the war. He said they were kept in the dark about what was happening on the homefront when he was in Vietnam.

Dale WaltersAge: 79

Military Service: Joined the National Guard at Durango in 1949; U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955

Was assigned to the USS Lyman, K. Swenson for three years and eight months

Served three six-month tours in Korea.Dale currently lives in Grand Junction.

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Robert “Bert” ValenciaAge: 57

Military Service: Colorado Army National Guard

Years of Service: 1973 to 1997; Served in Desert Storm

Hometown: Ignaci; has lived in Cor-tez since 1992

Memories: Robert says one of his fondest memories was from the Cortez Guard’s deactivation ceremony of the 928th Medical Company in June 1997.

Sandi ValenciaAge: 53

Military Service: Colorado Army National Guard

Years of Service: 1978 to 2000; Served in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm

Hometown: Mancos; has lived in Cortez since 1992

Memories: Sandi was riding in a convoy in Saudi Arabia when a vehicle came up on the shoulder and slowed down. A man was shouting and wav-ing something in his hand. Sandi says her feared dropped when she saw him smiling. He was waving a small book on Islam. “He wanted me to know that his religion is not bad, but just like other religions can be manipulated to repre-sent whatever a follower wants it to be. (He said) He’s proud of being a Muslim and wanted me to understand that not all of them are corrupt.”

Colorado Army National GuardCitizen Soldiers of Cortez

Sandi and Robert Valencia both served in the Colorado Army National Guard for more than 20 years. They’ve been married for 19 years.

Robert Valencia poses for a photo in Korea in 1989.

Members of the Colorado Army National Guard, 928 Medical Company photographed on God and Country Day in 1981 at the Cor-tez American Legion. Pictured from left to right standing: Don Coppinger, J.B. Lopez, Susan Stuckman, Wally Henderson; seated: Tom Endres, Sandi Valencia and Dave Crow-ley.

Gary Erickson at Camp Roberts, Calif. in 1981.

Travis Parker, left, and Gordon Miracle photographed at Fort Bliss, Texas in 1988.Dale Walters

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2011 Veterans Guide

Documents

h h h h hjack mastersage

veterans2 h

veterans of world war

commemoration of armistice

word veterans

e t e r

veterans w o r

great war