Banners are displayed along
Veterans Lakeshore Drive • Rice Lake, WI from:
Memorial Day May 29th, 2023 -
Patriot Day September 11th, 2023

Each year, honorary banners will be draped along Veterans Lakeshore Drive, showing support for service members with local ties to the community or community members.

Nominations are collected yearly, and names are drawn to select each years honorees. If a nomination was not drawn, that nomination will go back into the list of future draws.

Due to the outpour of support, there is no cost to the service family/member to be a part of the project. Please check out our amazing supporters below, this project would not be possible without the support of these local businesses and people! We are so thankful!

We invite you to enjoy a walk along beautiful Veterans Lakeshore Drive, and honor our hero's from the past and present.

2023 SERVICE MEMBERS

EDWARD SNEEN, US ARMY
1943 - 1952

Like many who have served in WWII, Ed Sneen was young when drafted in April 1943. He departed for basic training before his high school graduation ceremony. Ed trained to be a medic and shipped out from San Francisco. He held over in Wellington, NZ before pushing on to India. Ed remained in the China-Burma-India Theater for the duration of his active service where he experienced the extremes of India from tropical Kolkata to the mountainous tea region of Darjeeling. It was in Kolkata that Ed watched Gandhi carried on the shoulders of his countrymen and while stationed in Darjeeling, he had opportunities to explore the Himalayan Mountains. The stories he told of his time in the service were of friends and the adventures that they had. Ed witnessed the aftermath of war along the vital supply line of Burma Road and in the Japanese withdrawal from Singapore, where they discovered French POWs that had been so brutally treated. Within the dichotomy of war lies Ed’s experience; a small-town Wisconsin kid, transported to worldly places and immersed in cultures he had never heard of, returns home to continue a lifelong interest in our world and the many cultures within that he enjoyed sharing with his family.

DONALD D FIELD, US MARINE CORPS
1946 - 1949

Donald D. Field served in the United States Marine Corps from August 30, 1946 to August 29, 1949. Don served as a Corporal with the Aircraft Engineering Squadron 46, based in Cherry Point, North Carolina. Don received a certificate of honorable service and is a World War II veteran. Don is the Great grandson of Fred Field, one of the original settlers in Rice Lake, circa 1875.

SIDNEY JOHNSON, US MARINE CORPS
1944 - 1946

Sidney Johnson was a World War II Veteran, with the U.S. Marine Corps, 2nd Division. Sid was stationed in Saipan and Okinawa and after the war, stationed in Occupied Japan for

1 year. He was actively involved in the American Legion for 75 years, and was a member of the Honor Guard since its inception in 1946.

Semper Fi

ANDREW V JONDREAU, US AIR FORCE,
MN AIR NATIONAL GUARD
1998 - 2006

Andrew Jondreau served in the United States Air Force, MN Air National Guard, from June 1998 to June 2006. He activated on Sept. 11, 2001 and served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch wars.

Defensor Fortis.

FRANCIS F ANDERSON, US MARINE CORPS
1950 - 1953

Francis F Anderson (Swede), SGT USMC Korea (1950-1953)
1 st Marine Division, Recon and Rescue

Born on a farm in 1930, Francis Anderson moved to the nearby Turtle Lake, a railroad community of about 1,000 people, as a teenager when his mother found employment there. This was where he chose to live his entire life, outside of his military service, until his passing in 2018.

Affectionately known as “Swede” Anderson: Swede enlisted into the Marine Corp rather than being drafted. He did his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California for 16 weeks. His drill instructors were “crusty combat veterans from WWII", such as his Senior Drill Sergeant Hodge (“toughest guy I ever saw, he had knife/bayonet scars on his neck and face”.) As part of VMO, Swede flew on helicopter missions and reconnaissance and medical evacuation, during “The first Helicopter War.” The US Military used the newly adopted Bell Helicopter, which was a 2 seated open bubble helicopter powered by a small single engine.

Swede was rotated to the to the 24th Replacement Draft, namely a 12-month tour in Korea. He once described the difficult voyage to Korea, through a hurricane, on the USS General William Weigel, “If you think a hangover is bad, that’s nothing compared to being sea sick.” While in Korea he also had a bout of malaria.

In 1953 Swede got his sergeant stripes during a pleasant voyage home aboard the fittingly names USS General A.E. Anderson, a clean troop ship where he enjoyed good food and good weather.

It may be referred to as the “forgotten war.” Swede never forgot what it was.

Once he was home and out of the military Swede married Elizabeth (Betty) Case. Together they had 3; children 2 girls and 1 boy.

Swede enjoyed deer hunting, ice fishing, and was a softball fast-pitch pitcher. He had many friends and seemed to always know someone no matter wherever he was.

AARON MEYERS, US ARMY
1998 - 2021

Aaron Meyers graduated from Barron High School in Barron, WI. He enlisted as a Private in the Minnesota Army National Guard on March 2nd, 1998. Aaron moved to Duluth, Minnesota in 2006 to perform as a production recruiter. In 2008, Aaron volunteered to support Operation Iraqi Freedom for rotation 09-11. In Baghdad, he worked directly with Multinational Forces as a Liaison Officer to the United States Embassy and served as the NCOIC for all 34th Infantry Division assets in the international Green Zone. In Basra, Iraq, he was the Special Projects NCOIC for the G9 cell’s Civil Military Operations throughout all of South-eastern Iraq. Returning to Minnesota in 2010, Aaron was promoted and assigned as Southeast Minnesota’s Production NCOIC and RSP 1st Sergeant. Before retiring from Active Duty Service in 2020, Aaron’s last duty assignment was as the RRB’s Operations NCOIC in Minneapolis, MN.

Aaron is the proud father of two sons and one daughter and has a loving wife he adores. Aaron loves to spend time with his family and enjoys helping his community.

Some notable accomplishments from Aaron’s 23 years of service:

Distinguished Honor Graduate at Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Air Defense Artillery Military Occupational Specialties of 14M (Stinger Missile Crewmember) and 14S (Avenger Missile System Operator)

Numerous Platinum Club, Diamond Club and TAG 36 awards

Induction as Minnesota’s Charter Member into the Honorable Order of Saint Cajetan

Member of 3 “Top Teams”: 2007, 2008, 2016

RSP 1SG for 2 “Top RSP” Sites, 2013 and 2016

Minnesota’s "Expert 7” NCOIC, 2017

Inducted into the Minnesota Recruiting and Retention Battalion’s Hall of Fame 2021

EINAR H JOHNSON, US ARMY
1942 - 1945

Einar H. Johnson was born in Rice Lake to a Norwegian and Prussian farming family in
1921. He attended a rural Rice Lake school, then served in World War II as a Private first class
army lineman. He fought in several major battles including Normandy. While in Holland he met
his future wife, Margareta Wekx. After the war he went back home to his family in Rice Lake,
Margareta soon surprised him by coming to America where they married years later. They had
three children and worked various jobs in the area including: Cumberland Rutabaga Factory,
planting trees up North, all while farming his 80 acres with his family in Timberland, until his
passing in 1985.

MARTIN HAGLUND, US NAVY
1970 - 1976

“Not All Who Wander are Lost.” JRR Tolkien

I chose this quote because it describes my view of my life. Although my life has gone many directions and some of them weren’t the best for me or others, it was a part of the process of finding both God and myself.

My grandfather Martin Larson Haglund came from Norway, went through Ellis Island, found his way to Hyde’s Mill in Wisconsin, lived in a cave because he had nothing, sold himself into intentional servitude to earn his way out, and to this day, I carry a bit of that Adventurous and Indomitable Spirit. Proud to be an American, to have Served America, and to be Free.

-Marty Haglund

ALLEN E SCHIEFFER, US ARMY
1969 - 1970

Al is a very compassionate person about Veterans. He will go above and beyond to help them when he can. He is a member of the Haugen American Legion, The Rice Lake VFW, DAV, and Amvets.

One of his special sayings is, “In My Life I Love You More”. This is from a song by the Beatles and is very special to Al. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all hear this from him.

He is a very special person to all of us and we love him.

ROBERT K JUZA, US MARINE CORPS
1942 - 1945

Robert Juza enlisted into the US Marine Corps in March of 1972 at age 23. He spent 2 years and nine months in the Pacific Theatre. After his tour in World War II, he returned to the US to teach Sharp Shooting at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, VA before his honorable discharge on Sept. 28th, 1945.

He was very proud to have served his country. He married the love of his life Dorothy, on January 23rd, 1946. They have raised 9 children together.

EMMIT "LYLE" CUTSFORTH, US MARINE CORPS
1952 - 1954

Emmit Cutsforth, more commonly known as Lyle, proudly served as a Marine in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954.

After serving his country, Lyle moved home and started a family near Rice Lake, WI.

GEORGE W CUTSFORTH, US ARMY AIR FORCE
1945 - 1948

George W. Cutsforth served in the U.S. Armed Forces from November 8, 1945 to July 19, 1948. He was a kind, caring and loyal man throughout his life. George was proud of his military service to his country. He received his military training

at the Army Air Forces Western Technical Training Command, Buckley Field, Denver, Colorado. As well as training in “Flexible Gunnery” at Kingman Army Air Field, Kingman, Arizona.

George’s military occupation specialties included: Auto Equipment Operator; Special Vehicle Operator; and Marine Engineer based at Vernam Field, Jamaica, B.W.I. where he achieved the rank of Sergeant, 24th Airdrome Squadron, Air

Corps. He was honorably discharged July 19th, 1948 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.

Like many other men and women who served during war time, George was very reluctant to share much about his experiences or the lasting impact they had on him.

GLEN R CUTSFORTH, US ARMY
1963 - 1965

"I am proud to have served my country. God bless my country and all veterans."

- Glen Cutsfort

EDWARD D CUTSFORTH, US ARMY
1942 - 1945

Edward D Cutsforth served in the US Army from 1942 to 1945. He proudly served in World War II, before returning home to the Rice Lake area. Edward married and had 6 children. He owned a milk route, and worked for the Farmers Union Feed Mill and also farmed north of Rice Lake. Internment is in Couteray Cemetery.

LEONARD D CUTSFORTH, US ARMY
1970 - 1973

Leonard D Cutsforth proudly served in the US Army from 1970 to 1973. He served in the Vietnam War and returned home to the US after serving. He married and had 5 daughters. He dairy farmed for 45 years and now crop farms north of Rice Lake.

ALLAN R HAJDASZ, US ARMY
1966 - 1969

Allan R Hajdasz served his country in the US Army from 1966 - 1969. He honorably served in the Vietnam War.

When Al returned from the war, he and his wife Lynda eventually moved to Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Al owned and operated South Lake Motors for many years before retiring.

Al is a proud American and proud Veteran.

RUSSELL LEMLER, US ARMY AIR FORCE
1942 - 1945

Russell Lemler served his country from 1942 to 1945. His choice of service was the Air Force as a crew chief and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. His love for flying continued even into his private life.

Flying was a passion, even after he became blind, enjoying the Blue Angels was still enjoyed.

He always said "Do it right the first time"

KELLY BALKO, US AIR FORCE
1985 - 1989

Kelly Balko proudly served her country in the United Staes Air Force. She was an Inventory Management Specialist with the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, supporting the A-10 Aircraft at Bentwaters/Woodbridge, England from 1985-1987. From 1987-1989 Supply Point Management/Recoverable Aircraft Parts for the B52 & KC 135 Air Frames at 410th Bombardment Wing, KI Sawyer AFB , Marquette, MI

SHEILA ALBISTON, US NAVY
1990 - 1995

Sheila Albiston served her country in the US Navy from 1990 to 1995. Sheila owns and operates a local campground with her children, called Rivers Edge Campground in Birchwood, WI.

STEVEN NISPEL, US ARMY RESERVE
2012 - 2020

Steve Nispel proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserve from 2012 to 2020.

REED LECHNIR, US ARMY
2006 - 2014

Reed Lechnir served his country in the US Army from 2006 to 2014.

To nominate a Past or Present Service Member for future years displays, please email the following information to:

rlveteransdriveprojects@gmail.com

All information below is required for a full nomination:

• SERVICE MEMBER NAME & RANK

• MILITARY BRANCH

• YEARS OF SERVICE / WAR(S)

• PHOTO OF SERVICE MEMBER

Shortly after nominations are closed each year, you will receive an email acknowledging if your nomination has been drawn for the following years banner displays.

The banners will be displayed along Veterans Lakeshore Drive from Memorial Weekend through Patriots Day, September 11th. We will then remove the banners from the lakeshore poles, clean them, and have them ready for presentation to be given back to the Service Members and/or their family during the
Veterans Day community program.

2024 PROUD SPONSORS