By Sarah Nigbor

RIVER FALLS – "For some, every day is a Memo – rial Day. Because after the loss of a loved one, adding the word 'happy' seems like a betrayal." Words that make one stop and think, spoken by Fletch – er-Pechacek Legion No. 121 Auxiliary President Margaret Larson at the 2022 Memorial Day Program at Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls. Hundreds of people gath – ered on the lawn in front of the Veterans Memorial at Greenwood Cemetery to honor those who have died while serving in a branch of the United States military. Post Commander Missy Hildebrandt asked those in attendance to remember the achievements, dedication and sacrifice of those lives lost. Their sacrifices embody courage, dedication to duty, perseverance, integrity and selflessness while taking part in a cause much larger than themselves. "Many didn't ask to leave home, to fight on distant bat – tlefields," Hildebrandt said. "But they rose to the nation's call to protect a nation that has given them and us so much." Service members' deaths touch the lives of more than their loved ones, Hildebrandt said. It's important to share their stories in schools, in places of worship, at com –

munity events, so they be – come part of the identity of our hometowns. “Every US military head- stone has a story," Hildeb –

randt said. A reenactment was per – formed honoring Capt. John

See RF MEMORIAL, Page 9 RF memorial

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Thomas Chapman, a Ma rine who died in the line of duty in Vietnam. Chapman's story came to life, telling the story of a boy who grew up exploring the Kinnickinnic, South Fork and Lake George with his sister. Living so close to the dam sparked a love for nature, as did week- ends at the lake diving for turtles, fishing and canoeing. Chapman was born in River Falls on Feb. 6, 1942, the first child of Tom and Alice (Bartosh) Chapman.

From a young age, he loved the outdoors. His motto was "Be a paddler, not a passen – ger." He competed in high school track and football, going to state in track and serving as co-captain of the football team. He sang in the RFHS choir, served as Stu dent Council president and attended Badger Boys State. He and his two best friends vowed to enter the military together, but as he said, "If you want to see God laugh, make plans." Chapman attended UW-Madison under the Na –

val Reserve Ovcers Train – ing Corps program, earning a commission as a Marine 2

nd

Lieutenant. He met his future wife, Sandy Thompson, at the River Falls Dairy Queen when he went there for a malt on break. They married in 1965 and after gradua – tion, moved to Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va., where he underwent several months of Marine ovcer training. He attended flight school at Na val Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., then completed heavy helicopter flight training at Marine Corps Air Facility in Santa Ana, Calif.

Chapman went to Viet- nam as part of the Heavy Marine Helicopter Squad – ron 463 at Marble Mountain on Sept. 16, 1967. His wife, Sandy and their small daugh ter, Janet, lived back home in River Falls, waiting for his safe return. But on Jan.

8, 1968, Chapman was sent to co-pilot a material resup- ply flight. They also had in – structions to ferry troops to another base. By 4:40 p.m., the flight was overdue and considered missing later that evening. Monsoons prevent – ed searching right away and it wasn't until Jan. 12 that the crash site was located near the top of a 3,300-foot mountain. Chapman, crew members and 41 passengers had died instantly on impact. The cause of the crash re mains unknown.

Chapman is buried at Jeuerson Barracks Nation – al Cemetery in LeMay, Mo. His name is memorialized on his parent's headstone at Greenwood Cemetery and inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. Post 121 3

rd Vice Commander Bret VanBlaircom also memorialized Gen. Ger- ald R. "Doc" Matteson, who died on Jan. 8, 2018 at the age of 82. He was an RF Le – gion member for many years and had a distinguished mili – tary career for 32 years in the Wisconsin National Guard. He rose to the rank of Brig adier General and served in several leadership positions.

Matteson took a position as an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture at UW-River Falls in 1966. He retired in 1999 as the Dean of the College of Agriculture. Van Blaircom said his first encounter with Matteson was working a shift with him to sell Christmas trees at the Legion Post, which set him on a whole new path. He now heads up Christmas tree sales at the Legion after realizing he could do more to help.

Matteson also organized and conducted three Ameri- can Red Cross blood drives in 2014, which recorded 743 pints of blood, which is still a record. He made 4,945 phone calls during those drives to get people to come in. He also started Bingo at the Legion and helped orga nize hall rentals.

Fallen heroes who died between June 2021 and May 2022 include:

• Ronnie D. Emmons

• James H. Schmidt

• Orrie E. Brettinger

• Shelden M. Hilden

• William H. Rugo

• Eugen J. Gregor

• Larry A. Cicchese

• Dale A. Viney

• David Reese

• Daniel M. Simon

• Richard L. Godden

• Dwayne Carlson

• Donald W. Matzek

• Nick Huttner

• Donald E. Lundstrom

• Steven J. Preisler

• Kenneth Dopkins

• Rodney Olson

• Richard Reiley

• Chuck Schwiderski

• Carl Westerdahl

• Roger Moe

• Russell Burley

• Roger Boreson

• Eart Pat Francis

• James Jorgenson

• Lewis Cran

• Brian DeCoux

• Lee Davison May they rest in peace.

Military veterans who served in the US Army stand during the Croix Chordsmen’s performance honoring each branch of the military at Greenwood Cemetery on Memorial Day.Photo by Sarah Nigbor

Post No. 121 Commander Missy Hildebrandt led the 2022 Memorial Day Program at Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls.Photo by Sarah Nigbor

These military veterans served in the US Marines and stood during the Marines’ song at the Memorial Day program at Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls.Photo by Sarah Nigbor

The Croix Chordsmen provided several rousing performances during American Legion Post No. 121’s Memorial Day program on May 30 in Greenwood Cemetery. Photo by Sarah Nigbor