WHEATLAND – Men and women from all over Platte County were honored between basketball games last Saturday afternoon in the Wheatland gymnasium.

In a special presentation, all the veterans attending were provided a special thank you. The sports teams from Wheatland and Cheyenne South then stood in line to personally thank these men and women.

Each soldier’s name was individually called, and that soldier then stepped forward to receive an ovation from the crowd. From those serving in the National Guard, to all branches of the military, they were honored.

Brian Boaz, a teacher at Wheatland High School read to the crowd as the presentation began, “Ladies and Gentlemen. We would like to take a minute to honor those who are serving or have served. Platte County School District No. 1 is honored to recognize your numerous contributions. Please help me honor these individuals listed and the countless others.”

Those recognized at the program:

From the Air Force: Frank Jones, Tom Kuehler, Bill Bennett and Richard Carbona.

From the Marines: Alan Bennett, Dennis Keck, Jhett McDaniel, Hyanni Fausto and Colby Beaman.

From the Navy: Brian Boaz, Scott Auruch, Darvin Smith, Matt Anderson, Jackson Anderson, Gary Snyder, Cody Allen, Larry Hobbs (also Army) and Rod Birkle.

From the Army: Trevor Vaughn, Rob Cain, Scuba Steve Tibbetts, Cactus Jack Hildebrand, Tom Biking, Barry Christoferrson and Chuck Brown.

From the Army National Guard: Felicia Holbrook, Alan Snook, Eric Otero, Cpt. Chapman, Evan Bradley, Cadence Vollman, Jake McDonald, Gillen Faxson, Tim Painter, Rebecca Bridger, Corrie Bently, Annamarie Strickland and Shane Durland.

From the Army, Navy and Marines: Richmond Reudy.

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Soldiers who are serving and those who served lined the perimeter of the Wheatland gymnasium last Saturday afternoon to be honored for their service.

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Cactus Jack Hildebrand who will be 95 years old next month was the oldest soldier from Platte County who served in the military. He was in the Army.

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Platte County business leader also served in the military and was in Korea. Chuck Brown was among those soldiers honored between the girls’ and boys’ basketball games last Saturday in Wheatland.

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Many soldiers, such as Bill Bennett who is a member of the local Wheatland VFW and served in the Air Force was honored last Saturday at Military Honors Day.

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The Lady Bulldogs were wearing warmup T-shirts that were created to remember Military Honor Day at Wheatland High School Jan. 14, 2023.

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Sports teams including both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams from Wheatland and Cheyenne South lined up to personally thank the veterans of our county for their service.

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Senior JP Anderson was awarded his invitation to the Air Force Academy. According to Brian Boaz, an invitation this early in the year is rare and credited people like Senator John Barrasso and the local VFW for helping get Anderson to Boys State where he was the elected president.