Veterans in My Life: Alice's Story

Father 
Bruno B Luberda
World War II
Marine Corps - Corporal
Tank Driver
Fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima
Wounded in Saipan when his tank was hit by enemy fire
Awarded the Purple Heart
Served 1942-1946

Sister
Lynn M Luberda
Army – Sergeant 1978-1981
Helicopter Maintenance/Turbine Engines
Served in California, Korea and Kentucky
Reserves until 1990

Uncle
Chester Luberda
Sobieski, Wi
Born 10-09-1923
Causality 05-30-1945
World War ll
Marine Corps – Radio Operator
Corporal – Marine Bombing Squadron VMB-611
Died while serving

LOCATION
Davao, Philippines
DETAILS
KIA MIA killed and missing in action




BURIAL

Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO

AWARDS

★ Purple Heart

★ American Campaign Medal

★ World War II Victory Medal

★ Combat Action Ribbon

ADDITIONAL DETAILS - Corporal Luberda was reported missing in action on May 30, 1945 while on a regularly scheduled combat strike against enemy installations at the Kibawe Trail area near Davao, Mindanao.

Lt. Fish's aircraft wreckage and crew skeletal remains were found on November 16, 1956 in the area the plane was reported missing. Although individual identification was impossible, it was confirmed that the remains were of Lt. Fish and his crew. A group burial of the eight Marines, with full military honors, was held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO on July 15, 1957.

By: Alice E.

Veterans in My Life: Breanna's Story

Sneaky selfie with two veterans in the background!
My grandpa (left) is a Navy veteran, and my father (right) is a Nat'l Guard veteran. 

It could be argued that I was born into the Armed Services culture--I think it's stuck with me to this day.  I was born in Oceanside, CA, right off of the Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, where my father was stationed. I tease him, to this day, that we should have stayed in that warm climate! Alas, the Marine Corps life was no longer his calling, so my father moved us to Minnesota, where he began serving in the National Guard. 

My father, the human sacrifice? He's the one laying down, about to be "gutted" by his comrade.

After my parents divorced, my father remarried to a soldier. Our family grew to a whopping five kids (four boys and me). Between my former Drill Instructor father and my soldier stepmother, there were minimal issues in keeping us in line, homework done, and chores completed. It was "Yes ma'am/sir" and "No ma'am/sir" and all manners were paramount. As a child, and especially as a teen, I resented this strictness. I grew to resent it even more when my father was sent on four consecutive deployments while I was in Junior High/High School.

My dad is directly to the right of the man in the black shirt.
Not sure whether this is Iraq or Afghanistan...

The first deployment was to Iraq. Not long after he left, we got a call: He had been injured. A base housing generator had blown up near him. He jumped in front of the men that were with him to shield them from the blast. This left him with some very bad burns and a traumatic brain injury. After some skin grafts and a few months of recovery, he was ready to return. As a teen, I didn't understand why he felt "unfulfilled" and needed to complete his deployment. This led him to his deployment in Kabul, Afghanistan with the Engineers Corps. He was able to finish this one out, and we, thankfully, didn't get a phone call. His next deployment was at the WI Nat'l Guard base in Tomah, WI (yes, that's technically a deployment for this MN Nat'l Guardsman :) ). Last, but not least, he was sent to Seoul, South Korea. That deployment ended just in time. The day I graduated from high school was the first time I got to see my father in person in at least a year! 

My dad now. He lives in western WI. Miss him!

As an adult, I'm very grateful for those values my father instilled in me.  I know to be respectful and what it means to be dependable. I know that when I work with a team, it's important that I do my duties to help the team succeed. I also know, if my father can survive what he survived, that I can survive anything I'm going through! I'm forever grateful for the sacrifices he's made and I'm so proud of him. 

Thank a vet---they deserve it!

Written By: Breanna B. 

Thank you Veteran's!

Today is Veteran’s Day, a moment during the year set aside to honor those citizens who have given a great deal to protect and defend our country. There likely isn’t a person out there who hasn’t met a veteran, and most of us have at least one in our family - people who have served their country in the uniform and have sacrificed to make sure that we are safe and free. For me, it’s a grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, an aunt. For others, it’s a husband, a brother, a son or daughter. I feel grateful every day that they were willing to do what had to be done, but today is set aside to honor them in person.

So take just a moment to thank a veteran. Many of them are in uniform today, honoring their fallen brothers and sisters. Visit them in the nursing homes and hospitals; give them a call and thank them for their courage and sacrifice. Remember that many of our veterans, particularly the older generations, suffer from loneliness and would appreciate even a few moments of your time. Take your children along, and say thank you on behalf of yourself and your children; give them the opportunity to say thank you as well. Spend some time today talking to your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews about what veterans have done to protect and defend us, because it has given them the opportunity to live in this wonderful country of ours.

Stop by, ring the doorbell, say hello, thank them and then simply ask if they need any help with anything today. It can be as simple or as challenging as you want to make it, but whatever you do, it will make a difference in the life of a veteran.

-Liz R.