November 13, 2024

Area veterans honored at CHS

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Ten area veterans were honored Monday at the Creston High School Veterans Day program with quilts of valor made by Margaret Kneedler. From left: Chris Weland (Army National Guard); Adam Leith (Army); Lloyd Jones (Army); Ethan Zepp (Army National Guard); Brad Dukes (Army); Gary Gelhaye (Marine Corps); Rusty Zimmerman (Army); Nick Bauer (Army); Karlyn McCutchan accepting on behalf of her late grandfather Raymond Fischer (Navy) and Zach Schaefer (Army National Guard).

Ten area veterans were honored Monday at the Creston High School Veterans Day program with quilts of valor made by Margaret Kneedler. From left: Chris Weland (Army National Guard); Adam Leith (Army); Lloyd Jones (Army); Ethan Zepp (Army National Guard); Brad Dukes (Army); Gary Gelhaye (Marine Corps); Rusty Zimmerman (Army); Nick Bauer (Army); Karlyn McCutchan accepting on behalf of her late grandfather Raymond Fischer (Navy) and Zach Schaefer (Army National Guard). (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the fighting of World War I came to an end, and in its place, Armistice Day was held.

Now, each year on Nov. 11, Veterans Day is celebrated throughout the United States as a day to thank the members of our military for their service to the country.

The Creston Community High School held its annual program Monday where local veterans are honored.

Harry Carson, a Navy veteran who served during Desert Storm, spoke to the students and attendees about his 8 years in the Navy on the USS Pennsylvania submarine.

“The submarine is 596 feet long,” Carson explained. “So 4 feet short of two football fields. While in port, 32 feet of it was underwater. It was the most awesome time of my life.”

The USS Pennsylvania is a nuclear-powered, ballistic missile submarine, the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. It has been in commission since 1989.

In August 2012, Pennsylvania completed a 32-month engineered refueling overhaul at Pugent Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, successfully finishing sea trials on Sept. 19, 2012. Pennsylvania rejoined Submarine Squadron 17 in a crew split ceremony on Nov. 17, 2012.

“I spent 86 days underwater for one patrol,” Carson said. “Four days shy of one month. If you didn’t like somebody, you were cooped up with them for three months. I developed a really strong family with all my fellow sailors.”

Carson went on to explain the best part of his career in the military was the family he made through his time.

“I had breakfast with one last year I hadn’t seen in 30 years,” he said. “We talked like we never missed a day. That’s the one thing I loved about the service. You made a family, you didn’t make friends.”

Carson’s speech was followed by the presentation of the quilts of valor, made and donated by Margaret Kneedler.

Ten area veterans were honored with quilts: Army veterans Adam Leith, Lloyd Jones, Brad Dukes, Rusty Zimmerman and Nick Bauer; National Guard veterans Chris Weland, Ethan Zepp and Zach Schaefer; Marine Corps veteran Gary Gelhaye and Navy veteran Raymond Fischer.

Creston
Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.