Honoring Our Veterans

I first posted this story in May, for Memorial Day. I find it very fitting to repost it again for Veteran's Day. Several of our members will be participating in ceremonies across the county on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday to celebrate Veteran's Day. -K. Townsley

The Reese & Community Vol. Fire Department would like to thank all of the Veterans who have served us, protected us, and allowed Americans to have the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today. We would especially like to honor and thank our very own Reese members for their personal contributions and efforts over the years. We appreciate all that they do, and all that they done, with and for us in the Fire Service. We are proud to call them our "Friends" and "Heros"!

TOM ALDRIDGE (joined RVFC in 1993, Member) - US NAVY 1962-1967 - Joined the Navy at the age of 18. Served with the Nuclear Submarine Service Deterrent Force during the Cold War Conflict and Dominican Republic Conflict. Tom was an E-4 Torpedo man 3rd Class when he was honorably discharged from the Navy and received CO Accommodations and National Defense Citations.

ROBERT (BOB) ALEXANDER (joined RVFC in 1959, Life Member) - US AMRY RESERVES 1955-1963 - Joined the Reserves at the age of 21. Was originally stationed out of Ft. Knox and later Ft. Chaffee (Arkansas) as part of Company "A" 14th Battalion 5th TNG Regiment, Infantry and Artillery USATCA, 2nd Army as a Communications Chief and Motor Pool Driver, usually driving Commanding Officers. Although Bob never made it out of the states during his Active Duty days, when he was honorably discharged from the Army, he was ranked as an E-5 Corporal and received Unit Citations. After Active Duty was assigned to the 366th FA Battery C (SLT), 29th Artillery.

ROBERT (ERIC) BIDDINGER (joined RVFC in 2006, Active Member) - US ARMY, National Guard, 1998-2006 - Joined the Guard at the age of 18. Eric served as part of the 29th Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, post 9/11/01 Homeland Defense, stateside. Eric served two years Active Duty (2001-2003) and was awarded several medals including the Army Achievement Medal and two National Defense Service Medals. Eric was an E-4 Infantryman when he was honorably discharged in 2006.

WILLIAM (BILL) FOURHMAN (joined RVFC in 1950, Life Member) - US ARMY 1952-1954 - Joined the Army at 21 yrs of age. Served as a Basic Training Instructor at Fort Gordon, GA. Bill was a Corporal when he was honorably discharged in 1954.

JOESPH B. KRAUS (joined RVFC in ?, Member) - US ARMY 1956-1960 - Joined the Army at 19 yrs of age, volunteering for the draft. Joe was a gunner and driver and was stationed in Germany with the 510th Tank Battalion, 35th Armor Division. He was involved in the conflict in Lebanon in 1959. When Joe was honorably discharged in 1960, he was a Sergeant of a Tank Division.

WILLIAM (BILL) J. McKENZIE (joined RVFC in 1990, Life Member) - US ARMY 1942-1945 - Joined the Army at the age of 20. Originally stationed out of Ft. Meade in Maryland as part of the 76th Infantry Division, 417th Infantry Regiment, Co. B until March 1944. After that time, he joined the 80th Infantry Division, 319th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Co. H from 1944-1945. Bill saw combat while he was serving in France, Luxemburg, Germany, and Austria. He was a 60mm Mortar Squad Leader in the 76th Infantry Division until 1944 when he was a replacement in the 80th Infantry Division out of Fort Dix. Later Bill was assigned to a Headquarter Platoon as a runner and a messenger.

When Bill was honorably discharged from the Army he was a very decorated Corporal receiving the Distinguished Service Cross (Battle of the Bulge), The Bronze Star, American Campaign Medal (European, African, Asian) - 4 Battle Stars, Victory Medal, Occupation Medal with German Clasp, Croix De Guerre- Luxemburg*, Croix De Homage- Luxemburg*. *Very few people were awarded these honors from the Duke and Dutchess of Luxemburg, rarely an American. Bill is noted to be the highest decorated veteran in Carroll County Maryland!

DONALD J. SHAULK (joined RVFC in 1958, Life Member) - US NAVY 1952- 1956 - Joined the Navy at the age of 20, just prior to being drafted. Originally stationed out of Norfolk, VA, and later Little Creek, VA, Charleston, SC, and Philadelphia, PA. "Shaulk" laid submarine nets so that subs couldn't enter the bays during the Korean War Conflict. Shaulk was a 3rd Class Machiners Mate when he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1956.

JOE SPANGLER, JR (joined RVFC in 1980, Life Member) - US MARINE CORPS - 1981-1985 - Joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18. Joe was stationed out of Camp Pendleton, CA where he was part of the Headquarter Unit 2, Battalion 11 Marines where he was a Radio Operation for Field Artillery. Joe was honorably discharged as an E-3 when he left the Marine Corps and received metals and honors for Good Conduct and Over Seas Ribbons.

GARY WEDEKING (joined RVFC in 1996, Member) - US ARMY - 1966-1969 - Joined the Army as the age of 19, originally stationed out of Ft. Bragg as part of the 1st Armored Division. Later transferring to Ft. Benning, Ft. Dix, Ft. Knox and Ft. Hood. Gary saw combat and served during the Korean Conflict and was a Platoon Leader and Company Leader. He was a 1st Lieutenant when he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1969. When asked if he received awards, his comment was "Yes, but if I told you, I'd have to kill you!"

SEAN YARNELL (joined RVFC in 2002, Member) - US NAVY - 2003 - Currently serving and is Active Duty.

There were several Veterans at Reese who chose not to particiapate in this article. We thank you as well!