Honoring of local Veterans by Midwest Veterans of America includes oldest living Veterans and other special recognition ...

More than 30 area military Veterans from all eras and branches of service were honored during a Birth of America event hosted Sunday, July 6 at the Sweeney Shelter in Waukon City Park near the Allamakee County Freedom Rock. The event was hosted by Midwest Veterans of America in honor of the Independence Day holiday celebrated July 4 each year and it included a cook-out meal and each of those honored Veterans receiving a plaque and small American flag, in addition to rounds of applause and gratitude from the dozens of family members, friends and other individuals in attendance, for their years of service to their country. Many of those honored Veterans, or representatives from their family, are pictured in the photo above, along with retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Kevin Herman, a 1984 graduate of Waukon High School who served as emcee of the event.

In addition to that overall honoring, the July 6 event also offered additional special recognition for several Veterans. A pair of Allamakee County Veterans whose death occurred during their service to their country were specially honored during the event after being nominated by family members. Major Jennie Armstrong of Waukon lost her battle with cancer while serving in the U.S. Army from 2001-2024, and 1st Lieutenant Mark Steven Dreier of Postville was killed in action during the Vietnam War while serving in the U.S. Army from 1968-1969. While family members of Major Jennie Armstrong were unable to attend the July 6 event, 1st Lieutenant Mark Steven Dreier was represented at the event by his namesake, 11-year-old Mark Steven Dreier of Waukon (pictured in the second photo with retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Kevin Herman), who is related to the late 1st Lieutenant Dreier through his father, Randy Dreier, and received the recognition plaque in the late 1st Lieutenant’s honor.

Also among the special recognition at the July 6 Birth of America event was the select honoring of the five “most veteran” Veterans still living in Allamakee County. Those “most veteran” Veterans who were honored for their service and their longevity on Earth (some of whom are pictured, or represented by others, in the next three photos below with retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Kevin Herman) included Gladwin Anderson of Waukon (third photo), who served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956; James B. Klenske of Waukon (fourth photo), who served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955; and Osmund “Ozzie” Quandahl of Waukon (unable to attend but represented in the lower photo by Kermit Miller), who served in the U.S. Army for one year and then in the U.S. Air Force during a combined timeframe of 1945-1948; in addition to Cyril Larkin of Waukon (not pictured); and Emmett Larkin of Waukon (not pictured). Standard photos by Joe Moses.