All community members are invited to join this special occasion, honoring the bravery and dedication of the veterans who have served their country. Visitors can expect a heartfelt tribute to local heroes with over 80 individual exhibits at the display, which showcases the rich military history of the Lyndon area.
The event serves as a meaningful commemoration of the sacrifices made by generations of local military families, with each display including a short family history and background of the veteran. The tributes also include personal items such as basic training photos, orders to report, newspaper articles, uniforms, medals, dog tags, ribbons, patches, travel receipts, training certificates, descriptions of assignments while in service, post-service photos, wedding photos, and obituaries.
This year’s display, “We Band of Brothers,” was inspired by Floyd Glazier and his brothers, said Kris Burke-Bielema, chairperson of the event and LAHS board member. Glazier brothers Harold, Everett, and Keith were previously honored with a display, but LAHS was able to acquire one for Floyd this year, which led to the “band of brothers” theme. Floyd fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and all four Glazier brothers served in the military during World War II.
Also set up in the sanctuary is The Missing Man Table, which honors fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members, with visitors asked to reflect on their ultimate sacrifice. This year’s display honors Dennis Keith Eads, a pilot on the Missing in Action List after his helicopter was shot down in South Viet Nam on April 23, 1970.
Salute to Area Veterans first started in 2016, when LAHS put out a call to gather local history of men and women who served in the military. Nearly 70 veterans or their families submitted pieces of history that year, and the collection has been growing ever since.
The items are provided by veterans and their families, who can donate to the permanent LAHS collection or have their items returned after the exhibit closes in March 2024. If Lyndon-area families are interested in providing information on a military family member, the organization provides them a form to complete to help create a tribute. LAHS board members generally design the posters for the family.
This year’s display is more accessible and alphabetical, said Burke-Bielema, noting that previous displays were harder for those in wheelchairs to navigate. She said the event is a way to show somber respect for the sons, daughters, and parents who left the comforts of home to serve their country in a time of need. The historical society’s collection of uniforms, war posters, service record books, photos from Washington D.C.’s veteran memorials, American flags, and more are on display.
The Lyndon Area Historical Society is housed in the former Lyndon Congregational Church at 405 4th St. W. and is open on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. If you’re unable to attend the event or normal open hours, please contact Burke-Bielema at 815-499-4015 to set up a time to view the display.
For more information, visit lyndonareahistoricalsociety.org.
Veterans honored with displays this year
John Ahrens, Army; Willis Ahrens, Army; Paul Ahrens, Marines; Herman Fay Ahrens, Navy; Wesley Ahrens, Navy; Robert Ahrens, Navy; Donald D. Bohms, Army Air Corp; Wesley Bohms, Marines; Mark Bohms, Navy; Marvin J. Bolt, Navy; Ronald Lee Bolt, Army; Henry Bolt, Navy; James Bowen, Army; Roger Bowen, Army; Jack Bowen, Army; Gary Bowen, Army; Howard Bowen, Army; Darrell Bowen, Army; Kevin Charles Buhlman, Army; Thomas A. Buhlman, Marines; and Charles Walter Buhlman, Navy.
Kenneth “Bud” Cady, Army; Anthony “Vince” Cady, Army; Alexander G. Chadwick, Army Reserves; Hayden J. Erickson, Army; Tim Erickson, Army; Timothy Jay Erickson, Army; Joseph Lloyd Gorzny, Army; Rodney Gorzny, Marines; Doug Dunlap, Navy Seabees; Estel Dunlap; Navy; Dennis Keith Eads, Army MIA Vietnam; Edd Roy Engelkens, Army; Michael Engelkens, Navy; Wayne Sr. Evans, Navy Seabees; Wayne Jr. Evans, Air Force; Donald Fisk, Army; Neal Fisk, Army; Burdette Lewis Frew, Army; William Frew, Navy; James Leonard Gebhart, Army – Air Assault; Russell Leonard Gebhart, Army; Walter “Bud” Gibson, Army Air Corp; and Arthur “Kent” Gibson, Army.
Harold Glazier, Army Air Corp; Keith Glazier, Navy; Everett L. Glazier, Army; Floyd Glazier, Army; Megan Kathleen Nicole Gleason, Marines; Lisa Lynn (Stone) Gleason, Marines; Terry Allen Stone, Marines; Trace Anne (Stone) Barrett; John Christian Hildebrand, Army; Robert Jay Hildebrand, Army Air Corp; Kenneth Johnson, Navy; Calvin Jay Johnson, Army; Ernest Johnson, Army; Floyd Walter Johnson, Army; Ralph Madsen, Army; Robert Madsen, Navy; Roy Osteen, Navy; Richard “Dick” Osteen, Air Force; Herbert Richmond, Army; Harry K. Richmond, Army Air Corp; and Arthur L. Richmond; Army Air Corp.
Dwayne Elliot Rick, Navy; Larry Rick, Army Spec Medic; Frank Dennis Ryan, Army/Navy; Tom Ryan, Navy; Wayne Sawyer, Army; Roland Earl Sawyer, Army; Doris Pilgrim, W.A.V.E.S.; Jerry Pilgrim, Army; Ron Pilgrim, Army; Kristopher Schmitt, Air Force; Peter “Pete” Schmitt, Army; Amy Nichelle Stingley, Navy (niece of Ronald Lee Bolt); Donald Jesse Sutton, Army; Chet Sutton, Navy; Eugene H. Wollesen, Army; Brian Euguene Wollesen, Army; Clarence Woodard, Army; Martin Woodard, Marines; Joseph Henry Wyckstandt, Army; and Emil Wyckstandt, Army/Air Force.
