WWII, Vietnam, Iraq and other area veterans honored Thursday

Campbell native Terry Farmer served during the Persian Gulf War as part of a critical care team tasked with flying into combat zones as part of a portable ICU.

A member of the Air Force Reserves at the time, he completed 38 missions with the unit, which had a 95% success rate for keeping critically wounded personnel alive.

He was honored Thursday morning by state officials and John J. Pershing VA Medical Center staff, along with 10 other area veterans.

The group included World War II veteran and Qulin native Clem Deken, who traveled across Europe repairing tanks and vehicles with a field Army unit in 1942-43, as well as Vietnam veteran Richard Rios of Doniphan. Rios was awarded the Army’s second highest honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, for continuing to provide medical care while under fire, and after being wounded himself.

The group of men and women are among those who raised their right hand to serve the United States, so this generation’s children, grandchildren and many children to come will experience all of the freedom and joy this country has to offer, according to Desmond McMullan, interim VA director and a Navy veteran.

“To those that have paid the price in uniform, and to the family members that supported those in uniform, to protect and preserve, and hold what we all feel true to our hearts as Americans, thank you,” McMullan said.

Each individual honored received proclamations on behalf of state Sen. Doug Libla (R-Poplar Bluff) and Gov. Mike Parson, who were each unable to attend the event. Activities were held at the Missouri Army National Guard Armory, with a lunch provided by Bread+Butter.

Robert Wake of the Wake Foundation (left) shakes hands Thursday with veteran Richard Rios (right) of Doniphan, one of 11 veterans honored in a special ceremony. Also pictured is Kyle Aubuchon, who represented Gov. Mike Parson at the event. DAR Photos/Donna Farley

The events are part of several planned this week in recognition of National Salute to Veteran Patients week, which concludes Friday with the 10th annual VAlentines for Veterans concert.

“Everyone has the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of our veterans, and many do so in a variety of ways. Some of those ways will be shown this week,” McMullan said, adding many businesses and organizations have helped sponsor activities for veterans.

The proclamation ceremony was sponsored in partnership with the Wake Foundation, which is also the single largest donor for Friday’s concert.

Veterans were recognized in alphabetical order, with information provided by the VA concerning their service:

• Roy Cato, a native of Malden, who joined the Air Force in 1964. Cato was deployed to Tan Son Nhut Vietnam, where he flew on the Bladder Bird aircraft delivering fuel to all military airstrips in the area. He later returned to his hometown, where he and wife, Lois, raised their daughter, Crystal. He works today as a corrections officer with the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office.

• John Cooper of Poplar Bluff served on active duty in the Army for 20 years before joining the Army National Guard in 1980. While on active duty, he served overseas and as a artillery track vehicle mechanic. After retiring from the reserves, he become active in the local AMVETS Post 29.

• Deken as attached to the 516 Ordnance Field Army unit, serving in England, France, Belgium and Germany, among other countries. After returning home, the majority of his work was in the construction field. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus, 4H and other community organizations.

• Farmer retired from the reserves in 2013, after 22 years of service. Farmer has also spent 13 years on the Poplar Bluff Ozark Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. He and his wife, Sheryl, have been married 40 years and have two children.

• Dr. Larry Kimbrow served in the Navy for 28 years in total. During the Vietnam War, he worked as a helicopter crewman. During the Persian Gulf War, he served as an aviation maintenance officer/officer-in-charge of fleet logistics support squadron FIFTY Detachment. He later returned home to Poplar Bluff, joining the leadership of Three Rivers College. He retired from TRC as vice president of academic affairs. Kimbrow has been active in many veteran and community organizations. He and wife, Amailia, have three children and four grandchildren.

• Michael Roland Meeks served in multiple branches of military before retiring in June 2003 from the Iowa Army National Guard. Meeks has received numerous awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He is a volunteer with the Wake Foundation.

• Debbie Morgan is a Puxico graduate, who served with the Army and Air Force reserves. A registered nurse, she retired from the VA in 2015. Between 2000 and 2007, she deployed four times to, Iraq, Germany, Andrews Air Force Base and again to Iraq. She has a daughter, Ashley Newman.

• Nathan Richardet Sr. is a native of Perryville. He joined the Navy in 2002, serving three tours in Iraq and one tour in Japan. Richardet made several deployments with cargo handling, including Antarctica twice, Guam and Japan. He is a volunteer with the Wake Foundation. He and wife, Kaity, have four children.

• Rios was wounded while serving as a medic with the 3rd Battalion 4th Infantry Division. His wounds resulted in limited use of one hand, which made it difficult to pursue a career in nursing, as he had intended. He worked for many years as an orderly, nurse assistant, home health care, and hospice care. He is a life member of both the DAV and American Legion.

• Randy Stricker served in Vietnam from November 1971 to June 1972. He has been the owner/operator of Pack’s Do It Center in Poplar Bluff for 40 years. He is married to Maryrose, and they have one son. He serves on the boards of First Missouri State Bank, Butler County Health Department and Black River Medical Center.

• Roger Wheeler Sr. of Kennett served in the Navy from 1958-1962. He is married to Bennye and has two sons. He has been active in many community organizations, as well as serving as a Kennett city council member. Wheeler has received multiple awards, including: VFW Americanism Award (2018), VFW Patriotic Citizen Award (2014) and Lieutenant Governor’s Veterans Service Award (2015).