latest
Pete Kazena is being honored as Wagner’s November Veteran of the Month. Kazena enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 26th of 1976 and after serving for three years was honorably discharged from service on August 29th of 1979. After enlisting in the Marines, Kazena was given a choice between three Marine Corps Recruit Depots (MCRD) to attend his basic training. His three choices were Parris Island, San Diego and Camp Lejeune. Kazena chose MCRD San Diego. After completing his basic training, Kazena was then sent to Camp Pendleton in CA for four weeks for Infantry Training School as his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was 0311 Infantry. He had originally put in to be a truck driver, but the Marine Corps picked Kazena’s MOS for him and he was randomly selected him for infantry. As part of his training, he was trained for combat duty.
Read more
Mission #22, the Clifford & LaVonne Graese Foundation Mission of the Midwest Honor Flight, departed from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport on October 8th filled with 85 Veterans, their guardians and the Midwest Honor Flight staff. On board of the Mission #22 flight was Wagner’s own Dennis Clemens. Dennis was accompanied by his son, Shane, as his guardian.
Read more
BerndtFarmEquipmenthas been a part of the Avon community for the last 46 years, starting in 1978. Its location for being off the beaten path, is actually quite perfect as the site sits almost on the boarder of the Tripp, Tyndall, Scotland and Avon school districts. Owner, Terry Berndt, started the business himself after attending theUniversityofSouth DakotaatSpringfieldfordiesel mechanics. After completing his education, he had planned to farm, but as the nation was in a farm crisis in the 1980s, Terry had to seek a different career path at the time. He started working for a shop in Springfield and eventually local people started bringing him their farm equipment that needed to be fixed or serviced, and a part of his current business wascreated.Hethengrew thebusinessbysellingBelarus tractors in addition to fixing farm equipment.
Read more
Ed Van Gerpen shared some photos of major changes in harvest in one lifetime.From helping Dad with harvest at 8-years old. Tractor doesn't have power steering, power brakes, starter, lights, cab, radio, soft seat, 3-pt hitch, roll bar, fenders, wide front. Does have 23hp.
Read more
Larry Namminga decided to join the Springfield National Guard Unit in November of 1962. Being that he was only 17 when he enlisted, Namminga had to wait a year until he was able to attend basic training. At Namminga’s time of enlistment, there were ten of his classmates that also enlisted in the National Guard and another six from the local area, one of which was Kenny Powers.InSeptemberof1963,NammingaleftSpringfield toattendbasictrainingatFortLeonardWood,MO.While he was in the midst of his basic training, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. After the President was firstassassinated,FortLeonardWoodwasnotsurewhat the aftermath of the event would be and locked down the base. After he completed basic training, Namminga was able to come home for two weeks on leave during Christmas.HewasalsoabletostayatFortLeonardWood for his advanced individual training (AIT). Namminga was trained as a heavy equipment operator, which in Namminga’s words meant that he “drove a big truck”.
Read more