Veterans Honored at Freedom Park Ceremony

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Staff Writer

HARRISON – Five speakers brought perspective to the Nov. 11 Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Freedom Park in Harrison. First to address the crowd was Karl Hauser, director of Clare County Veterans Services. He began by questioning the phrase “Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do or die.” He said that is a misquote from the original source, Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s The Charge of the Light Brigade. That third stanza of the poem reads:

Forward, the Light Brigade!” / Was there a man dismayed? / Not through the soldier knew / Someone had blundered. / Theirs not to make reply, / Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die. / Into the valley of Death / Rode the six hundred.”

Hauser went on to explain that the poem describes the October 1854 Battle of Balaclava between the British cavalry and Russian artillery during the Crimean War, in what is now Ukraine. He explained that the charge was a result of miscommunication from the command: that forces were supposed to attack a different objective better suited for cavalry. Yet they carried out their orders regardless of the risk.

Next to speak was Veterans Service Officer Alisha Gary, who noted that 70 years had passed since the creation of Veterans Day in 1954 [formerly Armistice Day], and pondered the question of how many others would raise their hands in service to this nation over the next 70 years. She spoke of veterans’ sacrifices and that of their families, as well as the untold bravery in service that brings with it changes to those who serve: some seen, some unseen. Gary spoke of the nation’s commitment to the sacred promise to make whole those forever changed by service: that they know they are seen and appreciated. She also spoke of what she called “thank-yous in action,” including recent humanitarian trips to aid victims of Hurricane Helene, as well as a coordinated effort between a Clarkston eighth-grader and the president of the Department of Michigan American Legion Auxiliary Juniors who raised $120,000 for the Mid Michigan Honor Flight. Gary further urged more community members to step forward and reach out to assist veterans.

Third to speak was Scott Taylor, Commander of VFW Post 1075 and Commander of District 11 Department of Michigan VFW. Taylor thanked those present for their attendance, their understanding of democratic government, and that the freedom they enjoy has a cost – a cost most people cannot fathom. He said that cost will continue to be paid as long as free men and women choose freedom over evil and tyranny. Taylor also noted that veterans fought, not for their own interests, but to serve the best interests of the United States of America. Thus the day is not for veterans alone, but for the entire country as communities celebrate its freedom and honor all those who have served. He also focused on the importance of sharing not only his perspective as a veteran and VFW member, but also the collective duty U.S. citizens share in honoring veterans and ensuring the true meaning of Veterans Day is not forgotten. Also noted were the sacrifices and accomplishments of the current generation of patriots, their dedication to the American way of life, and the values this country was founded upon. He urged all citizens to keep the legacy of the nation’s veterans alive. He closed with a reminder that, despite today’s frequent hyper focus on division, Veterans Day provides an opportunity to remember that, despite different beliefs and lifestyles, the common desire for a better life has always united us.

Fourth up to the podium was Gary Szczepanski, American Legion Post 404 Adjutant, whose words were to the point, starting with the fact that Veterans Day commemorate the service of veterans of all wars – when men and women set aside their pursuits to serve their nation’s cause, defending the freedom of mankind and preserving their precious American heritage. He spoke of the belief that determination resulted in better warriors because they fought with their minds and hearts, as well as their bodies. Szczepanski said that commitment doesn’t end with termination of military service, and endeavors continue on behalf of an honorable world peace with a feeling of profound gratitude to God and to the men and women who gave their lives as their part of this noblest of causes. He closed by urging attendees always to remember that freedom is not free.

Hauser then introduced the day’s keynote speaker, retired Capt. Kurt Krug, who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1966, trained as a B-52 pilot, flew missions over the North Pole during Operation Chrome Dome, and volunteered to be a forward air controller in Vietnam after completing training in the OV-10.

Krug began his talk by showing attendees a model of an OV-10 aircraft, then went on to describe his various military endeavors, including some special recollections about napalm. Initially stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam, he was transferred to Nakpom Phen Nom Air Base and then to Ubon Air Base Thailand. Krug flew more than a hundred missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos and Cambodia guiding attack aircraft and bombers to strike enemy targets. When Krug returned to the U.S., he again was assigned to fly B-52s and completed missions over Vietnam or Cambodia from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam.

He resigned his commission in 1973 at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, and returned to civilian life. There he completed his Certified Public Accountant licensing and worked for years in the Saginaw area, and in 1981 accepted a position with Aramco in Saudia Arabia which lasted six years. He then spent some time with the United States Department of Agriculture in mid-Michigan after which he retired fully in 2010. Krug’s military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and 18 Air Medals. He currently lives in Clare County with Jan, his wife of 56 years.

After the ceremonies, Krug made available some printouts of the aircraft he flew during his career, and attendees gathered for a free lunch at VFW Post 1075.

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