History you cannot find in books

“When I first asked, they were skeptical,” said Vietnam veteran John Jones whose school visits were his brainstorm following the 2015 Boone County Freedom Flight. “But now they really enjoy themselves.” This is the second time he has coordinated school visits in Boone County where veterans and students are provided an opportunity to interact.

Friday afternoon, March 23, a group of 18 veterans were disbursed throughout the Ogden Middle School gymnasium. Seventh and eighth graders had prepared questions. The questions they found often led to some interesting stories.

“What was the scariest time for you?” U.S. Army veteran Dave Coleman was asked. “Haling land mines, grenades and missiles,” he replied. Students learned Coleman had served 19 1/2 months in Germany, from 1966 to 1968. His primary duty was driving commercial truck with the 28th Battalion, 68th Transportation. 

The Ogden classes were among students who wrote letters that were distributed during this year’s Freedom Flight roll call.

Some of the veterans had already visited Trinity Lutheran School in Boone. Although all the dates are not locked in, Jones plans for them to visit three more schools in Boone: the high school, Sacred Heart and Franklin Elementary; as well as Madrid High School and Madrid Elementary.

Those in attendance were Jones, Coleman, John Hood, Don Heck, Louis Wolfgram, Dan Godwin, Doug Stumbo, Dick Smittle, Leo Johnson, Robert Gorsche, Reggie Steffenmeier, Dick Thul, Gary Slagel, John Brown, Larry Howard, Mike Conyers, Dave Coleman, Al Landin and Edith Landin (guardian).

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