2017 Event Speakers:

4 Veterans - 4 Branches of Service

4 Veterans with founder Jon Lindstrand - L-R: Jon Schmidt, Sherman Schueler, Lindstrand, Scott Thaden, & Bryon Swanson.

Due to scheduling conflicts, orignal plans for the 2017 Veterans Day event had to change. 4 Local Veterans, one from each of 4 branches of military service, stepped up and told those in attendance their feelings on what Veterans Day means to them. Each of these veterans have items that were donated to the collection, and are a part of the annual displays.

Sherman Schueler served in the US Navy as an aviator in the Vietnam War. He entered the US Navy in July 1967 and was sent to Pensacola, Florida for training. After that he was sent to Meridian, Massachusetts, and then back to Florida. Sherman then went to Belville, Texas where he earned his Flight Wings. He flew A4’s and TA-4’s. Sherman was then sent to Lamore, California. He served in Vietnam from 1967 - 1972. While Sherman was flying his second flight as an Instructor on a TA-4 at edwards Air Force Base the engine spit a blade in the N-2 compressor at 24,000 Feet. Sherman had to eject and after landing by parachute safely he picked up and kept his ejection seat. He flew 45 missions while in Vietnam and was discharged in July 1972. Sherman spent 8 years in the Navy Reserves after returning home from Vietnam. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Scott Thaden entered the US Army National Guard in February 1992. In May he left for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Missourri. After completion of basic training he stayed at Leonard Wood and took his Advanced Individual Training (AIT). He served in the National Guard in South Dakota as a 12 Bravo Combat Engineer. In 1997 Scott participated in the South Dakota Golden Coyote at Rapid City where he drove trucks from Rapid City to the Rosemont Minnesota OMS shop and hauled back empty. He also moved to Willmar Minnesota in 1997. In February 1998 his six years were up and Scott decided to join the US Naval Reserve. He recieved Top Secret clearance. In 1999 he was sent to Dam Neck Virginia for training at Intelligence School for 2 weeks and then to Virginia Beach in Norfolk. In 2000 Scott was stationed for two weeks in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. Scott was discharged as a Petty Officer first class in February 2001.

Jon Schmidt has made the US Air Force a career. Throughout an over 20 year career, Jon has served around the world. He served in Europe in support of United Nation peacekeeping missions including the Kosovo campaign. He was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Schmit retired from the US Air Force as a First Sergeant.

Bryon Swanson is a United States Marine Corps Veteran. He enlisted following High School in June 2003 and was sent to San Diego California for Boot Camp. Following his Boot Camp, he trained to be a Combat Engineer. He was deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on January 2005 through November 2005. He was discharged in June 2010.