(Above) Gerald Haak stands next to one of the bunkers he called "home" during the Korean War. (Below) Haak and a fellow serviceman clean the firing lock on one of the 105 Howitzer guns used during the war.

By Jolene Farley
With Operation "Enduring Freedom" in full swing in Afghanistan and many of America's soldiers fighting to maintain our way of life, Veterans Day holds added meaning this year.

Many men and women either fought for our country in past wars or did their part to support those fighting. Many veterans have an opinion on "Enduring Freedom."

Now 69, Gerald Haak, Hills, was 20 years old when he was shipped to Korea in 1952 as an Army corporal.

He stayed until the truce was signed, and he remembers "a lot of noise and destruction" from his time in Vietnam.

Haak's company moved frequently, providing artillary support to the infantry. They moved along the enemy lines knocking out enemy positions with a Howitzer 105. "We were just like sitting ducks out there because we were moving so much," he said.

Haak remembers a very cold climate. His company slept mostly in bunkers, never in buildings, in snow more than a foot deep at times.

He clearly remembers lying in bunkers listening to the firing, day and night.

Haak and the others in his company were awarded the Bronze Star for their bravery.

Despite harsh conditions, Haak thinks it was "worth it all," and he thinks Operation Enduring Freedom is worth it, too.

"We can see how we depend on freedom. I think they are doing the right thing," said Haak. "If we don't protect ourselves they will just come over and run over us. Terrorism won't stop."

Haak fears a long, drawn-out battle. Americans all need to do their part and work with the nation's leaders and stand behind them, according to Haak.

"We took freedom so much for granted we thought nothing else could happen," said Haak, "This was a real awakening. We need to stand behind all the people in the military."

Haak added, "We all have to pray."

Vietnam veteran Gawaine Diekevers, 53, Steen, agrees with Haak. "We can't let terrorists continue," said Diekevers. The Army drafted him in the spring of 1968 and by fall he was on his way to Vietnam.

Diekevers served in an artillery unit and a supply unit. Later he became a liaison person, mapping locations for infantry and artillery units.

The majority of the enemy fire occurred at night, Diekevers said. Heavy rains forced his unit to move frequently. The enemy took advantage of the moves by firing on the troops.

"There were times you would wonder if this is going to be the end," said Diekevers.

Diekevers credits his Christian upbringing with providing strength during the difficult times. "Whatever would happen I never feared death," he said.

President Bush and his cabinet should be upheld in prayer and supported in any way possible, according to Diekevers.

"I feel for those serving their time over there," he said. "I give them a lot of credit for going over so we can keep peace."

He said subtle dangers, not as worrisome in past wars, could be an issue in "Enduring Freedom," such as a danger to the food and water supply or the danger of contracting various diseases.

"So often it is not until years later when these things show up," he said. Soldiers sacrifice for their country by spending years in the service and find out later they have also sacrificed their good health.

"I've never seen a religion yet who could destroy lives in the way they do and call it a holy war," Diekevers said.

Sixty-four-year-old Orv Sundem, Hills, was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for 12 years. Sundem joined the day after his 17th birthday, eventually achieving the rank of E-6 in an infantry division for a mortar platoon.

He took a break from the Guard for nine years, then rejoined for three years. He was never called for active duty but was always prepared to serve, particularly during the Cuban Conflict.

Sundem is sympathetic toward the loss of innocent lives in the Afghanistan conflict but says "that's part of war.ÕÕ

He agrees with how the United States is handling the situation. "I think it's a job that's got to be done," he said. "Otherwise we are going to see a lot more of it (terrorism)."

All the men agreed everyone should take the time this Veterans Day to remember those who have served in the past and also those who are currently defending our country under inhospitable conditions.

By John Rittenhouse
An outstanding high school cross country career came to an end in impressive fashion Saturday for Hills-Beaver Creek High School senior Brad Haak.

Competing in his third consecutive Minnesota State Class A Cross Country race at St. Olaf College in Northfield, the most prolific runner in the history of the H-BC-Ellsworth program placed him name among the stateÕs elite during the 5,000-meter, 139-runner race.

Haak had his sights set on making the All-State Team by placing in the top 25 individually prior to the meet. He accomplished that goal by finishing in 15th place with a personal-best time of 16.52, which was 47 seconds off the pace of 16.05 set by Long Prairie-Gray Eagle senior Will Enns, the 2001 Class A champion.

"It was exciting to see him do well," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "He deserved it. Brad worked extremely hard and has gotten better every year. He has gotten smarter in his racing approach, too."
Haak, who won the Section 3A individual title in late October, had his best showing at a state meet Saturday.

As a sophomore in 1999, a side ache hampered the Patriot harrier when he placed 107th individually.
His return trip last fall featured improvement as Haak finished 42 places better with his 65th-place effort as a junior.

The defending Minnesota State Class A 800-meter run champion in track and field expected to run even better during last weekend's race, and he did make that happen by following a preset plan.

"Brad ran a very smart race," Goehle said. "He went out with the lead pack and was able to stay with them for the first mile. Then the top leaders took off, but Brad held onto the place he earned early in the race and maintained it."

What made Haak's performance even more impressive was the fact that he helped the H-BC-E football team win a section championship in Hills the night before the state meet.

Immediately after the football game, Goehle and Haak drove to Lakeville, arriving at their motel early Saturday morning. After a short night of rest, Haak ran his strongest cross country race at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"Brad had a great day. He gained all-state honors and ran the fastest time of his career," Goehle said.

By Jolene Farley
Both Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary and Hills-Beaver Creek High School boast similar peer groups whose purpose is to assist other students.

Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary has 19 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders participating in the Peer Mediators program. The program, in existence for nine years, helps kids learn to settle conflict in a positive and peaceful way.

Students are sent to conflict resolution training to learn effective ways to help peers resolve conflict.

Peer Mediator adviser Jil Vaughn said, "It helps the children come up with their own solutions. They seem to relate better to their peers than an adult would."

Hills-Beaver Creek High School has a similar organization. Twenty-nine students have joined Peer Helpers. Under adviser Rochelle McGill, the group sponsors many events and activities.

They plan high school dances, sell balloons and flowers during Valentine's Day week, sell concessions during sporting events and provide peer tutoring if students need help. Students visit the Tuff Home once a month for the Adopt-A-Grandparent program. They will also help in the elementary school if they are needed.

During June or July, Peer Helpers attend a camp where they learn how to help people in different situations. The goal of the camp is to help students become better Peer Helpers.

A new project this year is Hire-A-Kid-Day. Next spring, students will be auctioned off to the highest bidders for various jobs.

The group formally meets two or three times a month.

"The main thing is getting the students involved," said McGill. "This year I've had many more students join. It gives the younger students older people to look up to."

Students know if they need help they can go to a Peer Helper, she said.

The Peer Helper experience has been positive, according to student Jessica Martens. She particularly enjoys the Adopt-A-Grandparent program. "It is fun to go talk to the old people," said Martens. "One lady even started crying."

By Jolene Farley
With few farmers left in the fields it has been, by all accounts, an average year, according to Hills Cargill Farm Service Center Manager Brad Berkhof. Story inside.

Coletta M. Loosbrock, 83, Lismore, died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2001, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Wednesday, Nov. 7, at St. Anthony Church in Lismore. Roxanne Lisnak and Pastor Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Coletta Fritz was born to Gregory and Margaret (Sassen) Fritz on Jan. 22, 1918, in Lismore. She attended school in Adrian and graduated from St. Adrian Catholic High School.

She married Edmund Loosbrock on Sept. 30, 1940, in St. Adrian Catholic Church. After their marriage the couple farmed near St. Kilian and near Lismore. Mr. Loosbrock died in September 1972. She moved to Lismore in October 1972. She became a resident of Arnold Memorial Health Care Center in October 2000.

Mrs. Loosbrock was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lismore, the Catholic Daughters of America and Christian Mothers. She enjoyed quilting, cooking and flower gardening.

Survivors include eight children and their spouses, Robert and Barb Loosbrock, Luverne, Ruth and Henry Zins, Brookings, S.D., William and Donna Loosbrock, Big Fork, Connie and Raymond Loonan, Aitkin, Dorothy and Tom Conlan, Maple Grove, Daniel Loosbrock, Chalmers, Ind., Carol and Larry Olson, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Loren Loosbrock, Almena, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Fritz, Minneapolis, Edward Fritz, Roseville, and Leonard (Verna) Fritz, Racine, Wis.; and three sisters, Mary Ann (Leland) Thompson, Alice Rogers, all of North Hollywood, Calif., and Virginia Dickman, Burbank, Calif.

Mrs. Loosbrock was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edmund, one grandson, Jeremy Loosbrock, in 1971, one brother, Raphael Fritz, and two sisters, Esther Bullerman and Sr. Elaine Fritz.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.

Renatus Doering, 96, Parkston, S.D., died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, in Avera Bormann Manor, Parkston.

Renatus E, Doering was born to Emanuel and Magdalena (Brost) Doering on June 9, 1905, on a farm in Hutchinson County, S.D. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. He attended Kulm grade school and the Kulm Church. He later joined Salem Lutheran Church in Parkston.

He married Johanna Louise Henke on March 10, 1929, in Salem Lutheran Church. They farmed all their lives in the Tripp and Parkston areas. They moved into Parkston in 1963 but continued to farm until 1989. They celebrated 66 years of marriage together. Mrs. Doering died on Aug. 11, 1995. Mr. Doering moved into Avera Bormann Manor in Parkston in September 1998.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Norman and Imogene Doering, Janesville, Wis., and Marvin and Darlene Doering, Luverne; one daughter and son-in-law, LaVerna and Vernon Neugebauer, Dimock, S.D.; eight grandsons; one granddaughter; five great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, Albert Doering, Payson, Ariz., and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Doering was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and two sons, Richard in 1953 and Roland in 1996, six sisters and three brothers.

Clements-Wiese Funeral Home, Parkston, was in charge of arrangements.

William Colwell, 85, died Saturday, Oct. 6 at Mary Jane Brown Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Luverne, with Father Andrew Beerman officiating. Interment will be in St. Catherine's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home.

Sara Ann Womack, 62, Hurst, Texas, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001, in her home after a short battle with cancer. She was the sister of Carol Stroh, Luverne.

Sara Ann Roberts was born to J.W. "Buddy and Elizabeth Ann Roberts on Jan. 4, 1939, in Austin, Texas.

Church was an important part of her life. She was currently a member of Pipeline Road Church of Christ. She was active in many areas including Bible teaching and quilting and was the former co-owner of Christian Supply Center in Bedford, Texas. She was active with the Shrine Directors Unit and Shrine Children's Hospital and Daughters of the Nile, in support of disabled children through Shrine hospitals.

Survivors include her husband, Charles M. Womack, Hurst; one son, Blake Womack and daughter-in-law, Laura Barnard, Alameda, Calif.; one daughter, Melissa Womack and son-in-law, Ken Leibowitz, Dallas, Texas; her mother, Elizabeth Ann Roberts, Arlington, Texas, and sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Harold Stroh, Luverne.

Mrs. Womack was preceded in death by her father, J.W. "Buddy" Roberts.

Moore Funeral Home, Arlington, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial services for Glenn Steen will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jasper with the Rev. Bruce Bringle officiating. Burial will follow in West Jasper City Cemetery.

Glenn Bertic Joseph Steen, 95, Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of Jasper, died Saturday, Sept, 22, 2001, at Hospice of Arizona in Phoenix.

Glenn Steen was born to Martin H. and Clara (Hauger) Steen on Aug. 18, 1906, in Rose Dell Township, Rock County. He was raised on his parents' farm and attended country school. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

He married Helen M. Falk on Nov. 25, 1931, at Jasper American Lutheran Church in Jasper. Following their marriage they farmed in Highland Township, Sherman, S.D., for many years. In 1962 they moved to Phoenix due to his wifeÕs health conditions. He worked in hotel and apartment maintenance. Following Mrs. SteenÕs death on Jan. 26, 1987, he returned to Jasper during the summer months to live and visit. He continued living on his own until 1995 when he went to live with his son, Roger, in Phoenix. He entered Hospice of Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 15.

Mr. Steen was a member of Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was a private pilot and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his relatives and friends. He was also an avid bowler until age 92.

Survivors include five children, Marlene Williams, Rapid City, S.D., Dianne and Leslie Holtorf, Rochester, Robert Steen, Shakopee, Karen Steen and Roger Steen both of Phoenix; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one sister, Loretta Locke, Sacramento, Calif.

Mr. Steen was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Helen, one brother, Arland Steen, and one sister, Alma Erstad.

Foster-Hartquist Funeral Chapel, Jasper, is in charge of arrangements.