Muskegon Area Veterans honored at medals presentation
The Muskegon Chronicle by Stephen Kloosterman
MUSKEGON, MI - On Friday, March 27, Congressman Bill Huizenga hosted a medals ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 446 in Muskegon.
Huizenga noted the recent death of Andrew Seif, a decorated Marine from Holland who recently died in a helicopter crash during a training mission.
"This has been a sobering week," Huizenga said about Seif's burial. "Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that not all wounds are visible wounds."
Huizenga told veterans to tell their children and grandchildren about the history they were a part of.
"Don't let those stories slip away," he said.
Six west Michigan veterans received ribbons, commendations, and medals earned during their time of service:
Joseph Dabrowski of Muskegon - Buck Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 1972-1976. Dabrowski was a fabric and rubber products specialist and volunteered to climb three stories of scaffolding to inspect parachutes from above. "I was the only brave one, or the dumbest one," he joked.
Dabrowski received:
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Carl Kuzyk of Muskegon - Specialist, U.S. Army, 1968-1969. Specialist Kuzyk was a radio operator in the 101st Airborne and served for a year and a half in Vietnam. Kuzkyk grew emotional when he told the story how was visited in Vietnam by Muskegon war hero Joseph Beyrle. He survived numerous firefights during his tour of duty while hauling a 65-pound radio through the jungle.
Kuzyk received:
Bronze Star Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars
Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960)
Sharpshooter Badge with Machine Gun Bar
Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar
George Siler of Muskegon - Specialist, U.S. Army, 1970-1976. Siler was chosen as an instructor at the Ground Radar Surveillance School in Arizona upon graduation. He also did a tour of duty in West Germany where he was assigned duties along the border between East and West Germany. "I spent Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, New Year's ... a lot of holidays on guard duty," Siler said.
Siler received:
Good Conduct Medal (Army)
National Defense Service Medal
Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar
Randy White of Muskegon - Specialist, U.S. Army, 1970-1973, National Guard, 1980-1986. White served in Vietnam for nearly a year and was a door gunner and crew chief on a helicopter gunship. "Like most of us that came back at the time, we were really bitter for some time about how we were treated," White said. "I really came to understand what duty, honor, country means. (Duty) means I defend this country and my fellow soldiers in any circumstances."
White received:
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960)
Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar
Ronald DeWaard of Holland - Engineman Second Class, U.S. Navy, 1966-1970. DeWaard served as an engineman in the Navy and spent a year and a half in the Philippines and a year in Vietnam. DeWaard talked about operating a Navy tug in ports and the dangers associated with his job.
DeWaard received:
Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V" Device
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze start appurtenance
Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
Larry Seastrom of North Muskegon - Buck Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 1964-1968. Seastrom worked as an airplane mechanic in Vietnam from 1966-67. He often worked on A-1 Skyraiders, which were the last propeller driven planes used in combat. "The skyraider was the best plane for the job," he said, because it was slower, more maneuverable, and could stay in the air for 4.5 hours when fully fueled.
Seastrom received:
Good Conduct Medal (Air Force)
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze service star
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon
