by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Like all Mermorial Day ceremonies, the one at Veterans Park in Sartell May 30 was all about memory, about not forgetting, and guest speaker Rachel Petersen exemplified that need not to forget.
She refused to accept the fact her beloved grandfather, Earl Kothman of St. Cloud, did not receive the honor that was his due for so long. Finally, thanks to lots of hard work on Petersen’s part, Kothman finally received a Bronze Star, the medal he had earned in Vietnam 50 years ago.
During an ambush, Kothman brought a wounded comrade out of the jungle, saving his life. At the time Kothman was serving a 10-month tour of duty in Vietnam as a U.S. Army infantryman. He was one of 33 men in a platoon the day of the ambush. His platoon sergeant recommended him for a Bronze Star for his heroic action, but later the sergeant died and the paperwork for the honor became lost.
Nearly 60 years later, Petersen told about her grandfather for a Voice of Democracy contest. Then she decided to see to it that he should, at long last, get the medal he so deserved. She spent 18 months and 350 hours of research and making contacts with officials and political leaders such as Rep. Tom Emmer to convince them Kothman was long overdue for the honor.
Finally, on Jan. 22 of this year, Kothman received his Bronze Star. At the Sartell Memorial Day ceremony, Petersen introduced her grandfather just before a surprise was announced by State Rep. Tim O’Driscoll. He called Petersen and Kothman to the dais and presented them with a commendation given by the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Petersen, who is a student at North Dakota State University, recently enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard. She also founded a group called “Abiding Bronze Star” that helps veterans get the rights and recognition they deserve. To learn more about that organization or to donate to it, go to its Facebook page, “Abiding Bronze Star.”
The Sartell Memorial Day ceremony included the posting of the colors as Joe Linneman played bagpipes. The Sartell-St. Stephen High School Band performed The Star-Spangled Banner and other patriotic tunes. Guest speakers included O’Driscoll, Emmer, State Sen. Michelle Fischbach, Pastor Jim Goodew and Sartell City Council member Steve Hennes.
Hennes served in Vietnam as a U.S. Air Force firefighter. At the ceremony he introduced fellow council member David Peterson, also a veteran, having served tours of duty in Afghanistan as a member of the Minnesota National Guard.
Hennes recalled accompanying many older veterans during an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was comforting many of the members as they relived memories on the trip. Then, while Hennes was gazing in contemplation and memory in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, he could see his reflection in the highly polished black granite of the memorial, which is inscribed with the names of the American men and women who died in Vietnam. His reflection was a reminder to him he had survived while so many did not. It was at that point when it was the other Honor Flight veterans to comfort Hennes.
The average age of the soldiers who died in Vietnam was only 19 years old, Hennes noted.
Earl Kothman (left) finally received the Bronze Star he had earned 50 years earlier while serving in Vietnam, thanks to the efforts of his granddaughter, Rachel Peterson (second from left). Her parents, David and Amy Petersen of St. Cloud, are on the right. Earl is the father of Amy.
At the May 30 Memorial Day ceremony in Sartell, Earl Kothman wore his Bronze Star on his shirt.
Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell) prepares to present a commendation from the House of Representatives to Rachel Petersen and her grandfather, Vietnam veteran Earl Kothman of St. Cloud.
The Sartell Marching Sabres perform a medley of patriotic songs May 30 at the Memorial Day ceremony in Veterans Park.
