Click Here > for Juneau Alumni Homepage
Juneau High Vietnam Paper Wall
Steve Dibb
Class of 1963
Dick Carter
Class of 1964
Mark Schmiel
Class of 1965
Randy Woolcott
Class of 1966
Vince Mager
Class of 1966
Jay (Flash) Ulrich
Class of 1966
Russ Schwartz
Class of 1967
Randy Molkentine
Class of 1967
John Fox
Class of 1968
Pete Schmidt
Class of 1968
John Carroll
Class of 1968
NEVER FORGET
Peter Schmidt was a gunner
on a Huey helicopter & had
volunteered to pick up
friendlies' in Laos & was a
casualty after it crashed
on 8/15/1970.
John was killed in November
of 1970 when the plane he
was being deployed in to Viet
Nam crashed on takeoff.
(Jay Ulrich)
I had a friend who I played softball with, Randy Ward. His dad needed a new porch and while working on it at 70th & Mt.
Vernon, Verleane Ulrich, asked if i'd do some work on her house. I agreed and the 1st day at lunch, she gave me a
Milwaukee Journal article, 'THEY CALLED HIM FLASH' about  her son's death in Viet Nam and about his life growing up. It
was a very moving article and Verleane then asked me what I thought. After that day we became friends and over the years I
did work for her, Mr. Ward and two widows on the corner as well. Verleane would always tell me stories about Jay & her
daughter Vyrella. I met Vyrella one summer while she was visiting from Texas & I was working on the house. She told me
the other side of Jay popping wheelies down Bluemound Rd on his motorcycle & on his only leave in Viet Nam he traveled to
Australia and spent his leave helping the mechanics in the motor pool work on vehicles.
Verleane told me after his death that an old neighbor lady approached her and mentioned that during a heavy snowfall while
Jay was in high school, she just got out the door with her shovel & lifted 2 shovels full of about 10 inches of snow & out of
nowhere Jay appeared. He was on his way to school & took the shovel out her hand & did the whole walk & driveway. She
said she had $5.00 in her hand & asked if that was enough & he flipped the shovel in the snow, waved & ran off to school.
My buddy Randy Ward (who has now passed) told me Jay was just a neat guy.
- Todd Zietlow

Paul Kopac's Memorial Letter to a Fallen Marine.  Sgt. Stephen K. Dibb

A Final Tribute

Today, August 2, 1966, I, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran of WWII, and now 40 years old, paid tribute and last respects to Sgt.
Stephen K. Dibb, a Marine Veteran of Vietnam who on July 21, 1966, in the hot filthy jungles of Vietnam, and against an enemy
unknown to most of us, gave up his young life. Steve was only 20 years old. He died for his Country and all of us, believing that
he was out there doing his duty in trying to make this a better world to live in.

This afternoon I took my last look at him as he lay in his final sleep, and I just couldn't help but see myself in his place about 22
years ago, or my son, who is approaching draft age. I too had enlisted at the age of 17 and wanted to fight for my Country
because it was in trouble.Yes, I was picturing myself - in Steve's place there.

One by one, the 20 members of the Marine Honor Guard apprached the casket, saluted one final time and left. A Navy Chaplain
followed this with a most beautiful obituary for Stephen and his young life that came to an end so suddenly

The ride out to the cemetary was a long and solemn one. As we passed people, I could not help but notice how unconcerned
they all seemed. At the cemetary, the Marine Honor guard carried Steve in his casket to the burial place. Two rows of Marines
lined the route. Here, once again, the Navy Chaplain said some beautiful prayers for the soul of Stephen Dibb. I stood up close,
biting my lip, and fighting back the tears as the Marine Honor Guard saluted Stephen with three volleys from their muffled rifles
as if all were just one. The beautiful, but lonely, sound of Taps echoed across the cemetary and the surrounding countryside,
as the American Colors, which had draped the casket, were folded and handed over  to Stephens father. Mr. and Mrs. Dibb had
gone through this ordeal in sorrow that cannot be described. Their youngest boy, they gave to Uncle Sam, a very energetic and
healthy son. Now he had been returned to them, broken and lifeless. As the graveside service ended, all present turned and
began drifting away. One lone figure stood before Stephen's casket, dressed in a blue Air force uniform, with brand new 2nd Lt.
Bars on the shoulders. It was Phillip, brother of Stephen, a June graduate from the Air force Academy and now in training to be
a jet pilot. Phillip gave his younger brother, Stephen, his final salute - and I want to tell you that I let the tears come freely. A final
farewell to his brother who showed such courage in his 2nd tour of duty in Vietnam. I stood there alone and marveled at the
way Stephen's mother and dad gave up their youngest son to history; and now Phillip, his older brother (by just a couple of
years) undoubtedly must have made a solemn promise to Steve with that final farewell salute!

Twenty years ago I thought we had finally ended wars for good. But our young men are still out there fighting, for what?
Commitments? Promises to protect other nations? I still have the faith in our Country that I had when I enlisted 23 years ago,
but I am more determined than ever to see that our young boys and young men get the necessary tools, and the necessary
help in manpower aid in the front lines to see the war through, without holding back.

Yes, today I paid my final tribute to Stephen K. Dibb, Sgt. U.S.M.C.  And, God, if you were looking upon this scene today, I know
you must be proud of Steve's parents for giving Steve back to you. You must have had a new assignment for him in heaven and
so you called for him, and he has checked in. Steve, is a real, honest-to-goodness boy and a Marine, so please God, take care
of him!
                                                    Sincerely,
                                                         Paul Kopac
                                                               A Marine Veteran
Click Here > To return to
Juneau War Memorial
WWII - Korea - Vietnam
(Russell Schwartz)
I and a couple of Russ' lifelong friends were standing at Russ' grave at Wood National Cemetary during the Funeral service. As I listened
to the service and looked at his casket and then was looking around, it hit me, at that same moment we all looked at each other and
whispered
Leftfield to one another........ When we were kids, this was an open field with nowhere near the graves now filling the cemetary.
We played baseball here. To this day I cry thinking about that moment. Russ' final resting place is just about where
Leftfield was when we
were kids............ Russ always wanted to play in
Lefttfield when we played baseball there.
                                                                              
- Carl Galle
Click Here > for Jay Ulrich
Insight Magazine Article
Click Here > for
Pete Schmidt Page
If you would like to share any memories or
stories below, you are more than welcome to.

Email to >  donovan_koeberl@yahoo.com
(These are all left to Richard Carter on a Military Memorial site)


You were the first in our company to give his life. Unfortunately, you were not the last. I often think
about you. We named a 'turn-about' after you, since you were the best co's driver in the company!

Posted by: Andy Begosh
Email: taxman@erols.com
Relationship: member of his company
Thursday, June 17, 1999

Rarely does a day go by that I do not remember your sacrifice. You extended your term "in country" to
stay my driver. I wish to God that you had not.
Why wouldn't you sandbag your side of the jeep?? as though it would have helped. The 40 lb box mine
hit your (driver) side front wheel. I thank God that you did not feel it. We named the "new" turn around
at French Fort for you, but I guess Charlie owns it all now.
It has taken me 32 years to go see the Wall, but I just saw the traveling wall here at Fort Bragg.

YOU ARE MISSED. THANK YOU FOR BEING MY DRIVER.

Posted by: John T. Hardy, Jr. LTC, EN, USAR (Ret)
Email: john_hardy@msn.com
Relationship: Company Commander to Driver
Friday, July 16, 1999

You went North and I went South that day. Co B 588th Engineers was assigned to road building north of
Nui Ba Dinh mountain. Our Company was camped about 7 clicks north of NBD. Each morning we mine
sweeped north and south. You and CPT Hardy went north and later I saw the smoke and rescue
medevac helo. CPT Hardy survived. God rest your soul, Richard.

Posted by: Timothy Richards, CPT EN (Ret.)
Email: inspectorT@earthlink.net
Relationship: God Bless your Family
Saturday, May 10, 2008

After searching for you for 41 years, I finally found your grave site, Richard. I found your obituary in the
Madison paper. That gave me the funeral home who gave me the phone# of a local florist. The Sheriff
gave me directions to New Chester and the County Veteran Service Office insured everything looked
good. There is a beautiful wreath on your grave for memorial Day. And I did that from California with the
cooperation of many good Wisconsin people. "We honor your courage and we do not forget" The men
from Bravo Company, 588th Engineers, Vietnam 5/26/08

Posted by: Timothy Richards, CPT EN (Ret.)
Email: inspectorT@earthlink.net
Relationship: We served together, Vietnam
Wednesday, May 28, 2008