HOT SPRINGS – Earlier this month, Jolyn Harder, lead med aide with Pine Hills Retirement Community in Hot Springs, wanted to create something to honor the veterans entrusted in their care at the facility. So she created a comprehensive hero wall.
“I just wanted to honor them,” she said, with a bright smile. “I want people to know we have veterans here too.” Both of Harder’s grandfathers served in the military.
With the blessings of Executive Director Vicki Nekuda, Harder went about meeting with each of the 16 veterans, collecting their information and catching a photo.
“I heard lots of stories,” she said.
The wall respected their privacy, with stories told in private remaining so, yet holding some service information as well as quotes they wanted to share.
Harold Stickney: US Air Force, WWII, “Chin up, cheerio and carry on.”
Ed Madigan: National Guard, Vietnam Veteran, “Be a good American and serve your country. Also vote Trump.”
Leroy Deneke: US Navy, Korean War Veteran, “Any man or woman should serve our country (in any branch) for two years, its very educational.”
Dirl Steffe: US Air Force, Korean War Era, “Join the Guards, it’s important to have a strong front.”
Jerry Soske: National Guard, stateside service, “When you get to be my age. Take good care of yourself.”
Jack Miller: US Army, Korean War Era, “Get with it, and stay with it through the good and the bad.”
Walt Whitcher: US Air Force, “Do the right thing.”
John Lorenzen: US Navy, Vietnam Veteran, “Stay enlisted a little longer.”
Lou Brassart: US Army and US Air Force, Korean War Veteran, ‘Always did the job he was told to do’.
Alan Bell: US Navy, Korean War Era, “Marry a good looking woman. Joining the service makes you level headed.”
Gene Lysher: US Army, Cold War in Germany, “Keep on trying.”
James Tays: US Army, Vietnam Veteran, “Don’t hesitate to join the services.”
John Johnson: National Guard, stateside disasters, “Join up like I did.”
Vernal Tolle: US Army, Served after Korean War stateside, “Make sure you work together, and your brain works before your mouth.”
Les Kincaid: US Army, Vietnam Veteran, “Follow your dreams.”
Keith Schulte: US Army, Medic, “Be organized and kind, but firm too.”
“This is great,” exclaimed resident Marla Stevens, “they served our country and should be noticed.”
To see the wall of heroes call Pine Hills at 605-7455555.