Tell us about your Vet
We are very blessed to be a part of this program and understand how much it means to all of you and your loved ones. Please take a moment to tell us your story so it can be shared with everyone and the legacy of your loved one will go on.
Veteran: Marcus Addison Dugger Marcus Addison Dugger, 1918-1995. Marcus served in WWII in the Phillipines with the Army. He had married his high school sweetheart, Wyoneen Perry just before leaving. Wyoneen moved to Mississipi and worked in one of the war factories while he was gone..
Marcus had a life long love affair with trains and ended up working for Seaboard Coastline Railroad most of his life. His other life long love affair was with Wyoneen, or "Babe" as he always called her. They were married over 50 years when he passed away.
They enjoyed WWII reunions all over the country before Marcus's health made that no longer possible.
Marcus and his brother Donald, a Marine, argued about which was the best service throughout their lives.
Marcus once said that the two best decisions he ever made in his life were to join the Army and marry his "Babe."
Story By: Karen Dugger Johnson
Veteran: John Salistan I served in Korea for the Navy and purchased a medallion myself for my headstone. I served for 4 years on an LST 715, a landing ship tank. Serving in the Korea war was the most important thing I have ever done. I have no family left and wanted to make sure this medallion would be placed on my marker.
Story By: John Salistan
Veteran: Private Brad Schmidt Private Brad Schmidt, Army, deceased veteran, died in 1926. After WW I, He was riding his horse herding sheep in a field and his wife looked out of the horse drawn camp wagon she was in and couldn't find him. She could see a little flame out in the field. She walked out there and he and his horse had been struck by lightening and the horse, a huge white stallion, was actually on fire. They both died from the lightening strike. Private Schmidt served in the machine gun battallion. He enlisted in 1918 and was with Company B - 348th Machine Gun Battallion. He fought in the Battle of St. Michael, Argonine, France. He was wounded by shrapnel there. He then returned to service in another theater and suffered from a gas attack.
He returned home and was treated in Bismark, North Dakota. He then went home to his wife and family.
Story By: Dennis Schmidt
Veteran: William Gavin Mandery William Gavin Mandery, went by Gavin. He was born December 24, 1919 and deceased June 4, 1984. He served in the China Burma Theater for the Air Force in WWII. He really didn't like to talk about the war, but, was so proud to have served and be a member of the Air Force. He was a part owner of a business in the automobile industry after service.
Story By: Betty Mandery
Veteran: Johnnes (John) Schleining I purchased the "Medallion" for my Father's marker, as he is interned in a Civilian Cemetery. My Father, Johnnes (John) Schleining was the son of immigrant Germans to America in 1906, he was a first born in the United States generation in 1914. John served in the United States Army During World War Two as a Combat Engineer, Demolition Expert. He was very proud of his Military Service, his Country and believed sincerely in our way of life and in defending it. Being ethnic German during WW II was a challenge in itself, he was the only son of 6 in his family that was drafted. At the end of the War in 1945, he was discharged as a Corporal. Tragically he died in an auto-accident in 1983. I served in the United States Army and Retired as a Command Sergeant Major. I served a combat tour in Vietnam in 1967-68. My Son served in the United States Army and Retired as a Command Sergeant Major also, he served a combat tour in Iraq in 2003-04. We are very proud of our Service to our Nation and Army. It all started with the Honor and Tradition my Father gave to us with his service to our Nation.
Story By: Gerald J. Schleining Sr.