Oscar Meyer, Bob Blazek, Greg Newhouse, and Paul Henre were honored Wednesday afternoon at the Ox Cart Days Veterans Recognition, which took place at the UMC UTOC Arena. The four all served together in Crookston for many years as a part of the same unit and have become lifelong friends through the years. The event was made possible by Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee.
Oscar Meyer – Oscar Meyer talked about the honor of being recognized during Ox Cart Days. “Being in the military is a privilege, not an obligation,” said Meyer. “People who go into the military have a different mindset and want to serve their country. By being recognized by the community for the service, that is I guess the love being shown back from the country to us.” Meyer met the other three in the early 1970s, a part of the National Guard Infantry. He has won many awards, including 3-Armed Forces Service Medals and 2 Humanitarian Service Medals.
Bob Blazek – Blazek spoke more on his time in the military and his thoughts about being recognized. “I enlisted in 1972 at the age of 17, and I was the first person sworn into the National Guard Armory here in town,” said Blazek. “I started in infantry and eventually switched over to full-time recruiting,” Blazek explained how he was also a member of the Combat Rifle team with Paul Henre, and he and Paul would travel around from time to time. The team was so good that in 1978 they won all 14 first place trophies nationwide in different events. Blazek says he recruited more than 460 people, and that was the part he enjoyed the most from serving. “I’m very honored to be recognized because there are people that are much more qualified than I am who deserve to be recognized,” said Blazek. “I appreciate the Yellow Ribbon Committee for selecting me, and I think it’s important for the community to recognize veterans for all their sacrifices and time spent serving.” In Bob’s words, “Every day is a good day; what you do with it can make it a “great day.”
Greg Newhouse – Newhouse spent almost 32 years serving for the National Guard in Crookston and says it was an honor to serve in the community. “It was an honor to serve in the community, and we did a lot of things out at the armory for the community over the years,” said Newhouse. “I never got activated anywhere, but after I moved on to recruiting, that unit went to quite a few places overseas.” Newhouse spent his last six years recruiting and belonged to the Roseville recruiting command, where he worked with 23 High Schools and 4 Colleges. He says his time serving was very rewarding, and being recognized was a great honor. He also won many awards, including 3 Army Commendation Medals and 2 National Defense Service Medals. Newhouse stated, “The military teaches you that you can do almost anything if you put your mind to it.”
Paul Henre – Henre, like the other three, was honored to be recognized by the community and with three very close friends. “One of the things that honor me the most is being recognized with three people I got to serve with, so sitting up there with them was pretty cool,” said Henre. “It also feels good to say thanks to the community for all the support they have given us over the years.” Henre joined the military in August of 1971 and has 35 years of service. In 1977 he joined the Army National Guard and, in April of 2008, was discharged from his post. His rank at discharge was SSG. He has plenty of awards, including a Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Over 100 people attended the event. As well as each honoree receiving a plaque of honor, they each received a Quilt of Valor for their service and a walking stick from Rick Jenson, who was an honoree last year. The walking sticks are made from a friend of Rick’s who lives down in Tennessee.
