Colfax Veteran’s Day program included letters from area veterans

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX —  The theme for the Veteran’s Day program at Colfax High School November 11 was letters written home by military personnel from the Colfax area.

The letters were read by Colfax Elementary students and included missives from World War I, World War II, the Iraq War and a videotaped message from Afghanistan in 2004 featuring Colfax School Superintendent Bill Yingst when he was serving in Afghanistan.

The program also included a variety of songs performed by Colfax elementary students, middle school students and high school students.

The seventh and eighth grade bands performed “Special Forces March.”

The kindergarten through fifth grade and the sixth through eighth grade choirs performed “50 Stars/You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “American Tears” and “The Spirit of America.”

The high school band performed “Armed Forces Salute” and “God Bless the U.S.A.”

“Taps” was performed by Tanner Nierenhausen, Andrea Ottinger and Tate Russell.

One of the letters from World War II was written by P.H. Swift, editor of the Colfax Messenger, and published in the Colfax Messenger upon finding out that he would be serving in World War II.

The letter was published in the September 14, 1942, edition of the Messenger and read by Jeannette Hydukovich:

“Messenger Making Change — Editor Going to War”

“Owing to the fact that the present editor of The Messenger has been called into the US. Army, and will leave for active duty beginning on September 24th, The Messenger is forced to make a change in its personnel.

“Because of the impending change much of our time during the next week will be devoted to securing competent help, making changes here and there to conform with the prospective new setup. Several trips will be involved to various parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota in making the forthcoming change.

“Therefore it is necessary that much of our time during the coming days be devoted to outside travel, and it is only natural that we will be unable to cover our field efficiently during that time.

“Realizing that duty is to our country in time of crisis, there are none other than personal regrets in departure from a citizenry which has been friendly, and with which it has been a pleasure to do business.

“Every effort is being made to continue The Messenger as a publication which will continue to support the churches, schools, civic organizations and outstanding individuals of the community. To those who do not realize the value of a newspaper to a community in these respects, we urge that they awaken to the value of publicity in order to build up a good trade and civic center.

“We hope that with a full and mutual understanding of the value of our relationship with each other that The Messenger will be able to carry on and expand to the extent that it will be of still greater service.

As a soldier, it will be my effort to dispatch future duties as patriotically and efficiently as possible. The people that remain at home have fully as great a responsibility in order that we can overcome dictatorship and continue to enjoy the four freedoms that made America great.

“Until forthcoming change is made, and The Messenger returns to normal operation, it is our sincere wish that readers will bear with us and cooperate to the best of their ability. Very sincerely yours, P.H. Swift.”

White Christmas

A letter from World War II written home by Staff Sergeant Kenneth Valaske and published in the January 28, 1943, Colfax Messenger was read by Colton Hoffman:

“Sgt. Valaske Writes Parents From England”

“Written on Christmas Night — Dreams of a White Christmas”

“The following letter was received by Mr. and Mrs. (Hubert) Valaske, Route 2, Colfax, from their son, Staff Sergeant Kenneth Valaske, who is stationed somewhere in England:

“Somewhere in England Christmas Night, 1942

“Dear Folks at Home:

Well, once again it’s Merry Christmas and I’m wondering what you are doing at home this Christmas night. We didn’t do so bad here considering everything, but there isn’t much of the old-fashioned Christmas spirit present — no snow — no carols; just the day off with a good meal at noon. I do miss the snow that piles up in good old Wisconsin.

“We have a phonograph here but the only appropriate record is ‘White Christmas’ by Bing Crosby, that someone got in London. Guess we all dream of White Christmases, as the record gets plenty of playing.

“Believe it or not, Santa came through with a box this P.M. from Aunt Em. She must have ordered it sent by a company in N.Y. who specialize in boxes for service men overseas. It sure is swell. Was mailed in N.Y. Oct. 24th.

“Couldn’t go to church last Sunday as we had to stand by all day for inspection.

“Heard  yesterday from one of the commanding officers that we have a piano on the way to camp, along with some other instruments. Sounds good to me. We are to have our own orchestra, and I’m to beat the piano. Maybe with practice we’ll learn to beat out a few tunes. Anyway I’ll bet we make an awful try. Here’s to a White Christmas for all of us next year! Love, Ken.”

Following the letter from Staff Sergeant Valaske, the Colfax High School choir sang “White Christmas.”

Other letters included Glen Lemler’s letter from World War I ready by Christian Ebert; Sergeant Harold T. Larson’s letter from World War II read by Josie Doerr; and Staff Sergeant Gary Smith’s letter (Army National Guard) from the Iraq War read by Meadow Keltner.

The University of Wisconsin Stout ROTC posted the colors at the beginning of the program and retired the colors at the end of the program.