Remember troops this Fourth of July

File photo

While many of the Lakes area's soldiers returned from deployment last July, many still remain overseas fighting for freedom, keeping the peace and protecting the rights and lives of citizens of the world.

Ernie Cupp, Director of Dickinson County Commission of Veteran Affairs, reminds citizens to remember those serving in the military this Independence Day and support the families left waiting for their return.

"To really help the soldiers, citizens can be morally supportive of their families," Cupp recommended. "Be there for them. A lot of times families just need someone to talk to. You need to let them know they're not alone."

Families back home are left with occasional phone calls, e-mails and letters along with the duty of raising and caring for children while their loved one is serving their duty for the country.

"It's a lot of nervousness, apprehension and hope, hope, hope that they come home safely," Cupp explained. "A lot of times the soldier has young children that may have trouble remembering life with them - they need to reestablish relationships with their kids and families."

The problems faced by families and soldiers don't end after their safe return, either.

"The parent left behind gets used to being the sole person running the family, and when the other parent returns from a tour there's often conflict with two trying to be the head of the family," Cupp said. "That can be hard on both the parents and the kids."

Other common problems - especially with young soldiers - is the transition into civilian life in a non combat area.

"The constant adrenaline rush is gone, especially for those who've just returned from an active combat zone," said Cupp. "It's a whole different world coming back to the U.S., and sometimes the young soldiers miss the excitement for a while."

Upon stateside return, Cupp advises soldiers to contact him at the Veteran Affairs Office at (712) 336-0883 to get in touch with their service officer.

"They need to check in with their county veterans affairs service officer and get enrolled in the VA medical system," he explained. "If they have injuries of illnesses from active duty they need to be sure to file a claim for service-connected compensation."

Soldiers should also check in with their employer to go over details surrounding their transition back to work.

Cupp's overall advice for returning soldiers?

"Just love their kids and families."

Any Dickinson County veterans living with ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease - or widows of veterans who died of ALS are asked to contact the local Commission of Veterans Affairs at (712) 336-0883, as the disease may now be presumed to be caused by military service.

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Lakes area natives in military service

- Brian Cupp (Army National Guard), son of Ernie and Carol Cupp of Spirit Lake. Brian is currently living in Iowa City working full time for the Iowa Army National Guard for the 1133rd Transportation Company. He served with the B Battery 1-194 field artillery based out of Algona and was stationed in Kosovo. Brian is a 1992 graduate of Spirit Lake High School.

- Stephen G. Dean (Army), son of Glen and Troylene Dean of Spirit Lake. Stephen retired from the U.S. Army last summer after 25 years of military service as a contingency plans chief assigned to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service in Dallas, Texas in the rank of Lt. Col. The colonel graduated in 1979 from Spirit Lake High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 1987 from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Dean earned his master's degree in 2000 from Central Michigan University in Kansas.

- Lance Dorenkamp (Air Force), son of Dave and Helen Dorenkamp of Milford and husband of Ashley. Lance is a Captain stationed out of Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas as an Aircraft Commander of the C130 (Hercules) airplane, as transport plane used to move troops and supplies. He recently completed training to become an instructor the the C130 aircraft as Little Rock, Ark. Lance has been deployed to the Middle East five times, most recently in the fall of 2008. He is a 1999 Okoboji graduate and a 2003 graduate of Iowa State University with a BS in meteorology. While at Iowa State he was a member of the Air Force ROTC, serving as Wing Commander his senior year. Lance received the Governor's Cup, an award presented to outstanding ROTC students, from then Gov. Vilsack in the spring of 2003.

- Mike Emgarten (Iowa Army National Guard), son of Robert and Mary Emgarten. Mike is a sergeant with the 194th Field Artillery out of Boone and returned from Iraq in July of 2007. He is currently attending Iowa State University and is a 2005 Spirit Lake graduate.

- Nicholas Forney (Army), son of Greg and Julie Forney of Spirit Lake. Nicholas is a Sergeant with the 173rd Airborne in Schweinfurt, Germany. He has previously been stationed in Iraq and Alaska and is scheduled for deployment to Afghanistan in November.

Nicholas is a 2004 graduate of Okoboji High School.

- James I. Hazelton (Navy), son of Gena I. and James I. Hazelton of Terril. James completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. at the end of last year and is a Navy Seaman.

- Tommy Miller (Army - Minnesota National Guard), son of Bob and Victoria Miller of Milford. Tommy is currently a 1st Lieutenant. He is a 2001 graduate of Forest City High School and a 2006 graduate of Minnesota State University. Tommy was married to Alexandra Dittmersen of Burnsville, Minn. on Dec. 20, 2006, and the couple resides in Burnsville. He returned from his tour in Kosovo last summer.

- Warren Peyton (Navy), husband of Amanda of Virginia Beach, Va. and son of Robert and Melody Peyton of Spirit Lake. Warren is an EM 5 2nd Class Petty Officer based out of Norfolk, Virginia. He is currently deployed as a nuclear engineer on the U.S.S. Newport News, a fast-attack nuclear submarine. This is his second deployment. Warren is a 2004 graduate of Spirit Lake High School, and he and Amanda have a 10-month-old named Connor.

- Heath Richter (Iowa National Guard) of Lake Park, son of Brad and Shirley Richter of Spirit Lake. Wife Connie resides in Lake Park with children MaKenna, Jaxon and Zachary. Heath is classified as a Sargeant and served in Kosovo with the Algona unit, which returned last July. He is currently at home. Heath was also activated stateside from 2002-2003 in Newport, Ind.

- Thomas W Struthers (Air Force), husband of Megan (Van Schepen) Struthers. Thomas is an Airman First Class working in the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron as a Fuels Apprentice at RAF Mildenhall, England. Both Thomas and Megan are graduates of the 2004 class of Okoboji High School and have family living in the Lakes area. They have a 1-year-old son, William.

- Rachel Sup (Army), daughter of Dick and Susan Sup of Okoboji. Rachel is a specialist based out of Ft. Louis, Wash. and a graduate of the 2002 class of Okoboji High School.

Sup is based out of Ft. Lewis, Wash., and is currently in Qutar with the 218th Medical Unit. She is a veterinary technician, caring for guard dogs. Her 16-month-old son, Landon, will continue spending the year with Rachel's parents until her return in October.

- Trent Thunhorst (Navy), son of Rich and Mary Thunhorst of Spirit Lake. Trent is assigned to Seabee Base in Gulfport, Miss. as a CM-2 with Construction Battalion 11 and is currently in Uganda building bridges as part of a six-month assignment. His battalion is expected to return to base in August. Trent is a 2002 Spirit Lake graduate and a 2004 graduate of Iowa Lakes in construction business.

- Brandon G. Weiland (Army National Guard), son of Rhonda Weiland of Terril. Pvt. Weiland recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is a 2008 graduate of Graettinger High School.

- Chad Wuebker (Army), son of the late Tom Wuebker and Sandy Clemen of Milford. Chad was honorably discharged in July 2008 after serving 15 months in Iraq. He reached the rank of Sergeant and was a member of the Airborne Infantry based out of Ft. Bragg, N.C. He plans to attend college soon.

This is a partial list in the process of completion. If you know of anyone left off this list or more detailed information about a local serving in the military, please e-mail caroline@dickinsoncountynews.com or call (712) 336-1211 and ask for Caroline.