Veteran Of The Year Award Recipients

2008   Fannie Clark, MD

Doctor Fannie Clark served in World War II as a Navy Doctor. She married Navy pilot William Clark on August 13th 1945. Following WWII, Dr. Clark embarked on a distinguished career as a family practice physician in the Dallas, Texas area that has lasted for the past 56 years. Most recently, up until her retirement, she has worked on many boards in relationship with Saint Paul's Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Clark is somewhat of an icon - a pioneering woman doctor who practiced in the Dallas area for over sixty years, delivered more than four thousand babies and cared for more than three generations of several families. She graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She is a dedicated mentor to younger doctors and to her extended family of patients. Before she would even contemplate retirement, she brought two new doctors into
her practice and insured that rapport was established with all of her existing patients before handing any of them to another doctor. She remains involved as a trusted advisor to this day in many aspects of medicine. From a military perspective, she is one of few female doctors to serve during WWII and is a pioneer not only in medicine, but in military medicine as well.

2007   Gary H. Schap

Gary H. Schap served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1963. He served in The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam and various other assignments as a member of the Army Security Agency. In 1965, he was hired as an Illinois State Police trooper and served the State of Illinois for 36 years, 8 months, retiring as the longest serving State Trooper in the State’s history. Currently a member of the Elizabeth City Police Department, he now has over 43 years in law enforcement. In a long career with many achievements, one notable incident happened in 1967 when on patrol. He was run over by a car and sent flying 65 feet over his patrol car. He was in a coma for 2 weeks and in a full body cast for several months. His pelvis was split; he received three full blood transfusions and was told he would never walk again. Through his own tenacity, he returned to patrol duties on crutches and not only walked again, but was eventually able to compete in numerous running races. The Illinois State Police awarded him with the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in the line of duty.

He is active in veteran’s affairs, a solid advocate for the military, youth events and community activism. He has four grown children Lisa, Kelly, Rick and Andy.

2006     BILL RUPP

Following WWII, Bill returned home to Missouri and eventually worked for Gateway Seed Company as Sales Manager for 30 years prior to retiring from that job and beginning a long involvement in veterans programs and activities. Bill was one of the inspirations for the St. Peters Veterans Memorial. He worked with other veterans in the area through the design, construction, and dedication of the Memorial in 2003. Additionally, he has been the Chairman of the St. Peters Veterans Commission since its inception in 2004. Through his work with the Commission he has produced many fine Veterans Programs at the Memorial to include: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, POW-MIA day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. Bill has been called upon to speak at numerous veterans events in St. Charles County and is on the Veterans Advisory Committee of Representative Todd Aiken, US District 2. He serves on the US Military School Nominee Selection Committee of US Senator Talent, Missouri and on Governor Matt Blunt’s Veteran’s Advisory committee and as the Legislative Chairman for the Marine Corps League Department of Missouri and the MAVO (Missouri Association of Veteran’s Organizations) Legislative Committee. Bill was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri. Nearly 60 years ago he married June Dennis. They have 5 children.

2005

On This 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, we will recognize four living WWII veterans during each quarter of this year as our annual Veterans of the Year for 2005.

HERBERT HOGUE

Herbert E. Hogue, Sr. served in World War II from 1941 to 1945. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 26 and was trained as an Aviation Engineer.  He served in most South Pacific campaigns including New Caledonia, Australia, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines.  His final rank at the end of the War was Staff Sergeant. He returned home to Newport News, VA and began a family.  He spent the next thirty years heavily involved in community advancement activities such as Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troop Leader; he opened a teen activity center in Buffalo, NY and later served as a counselor at a YMCA in Galesburg, IL.  He is the father of eight sons and four daughters; thirty-eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.He is retired in Galesburg, IL with his wife of forty-five years, Elizabeth.

HERMAN BOTTEON

Herman Botteon is a retired Army Colonel who served his country from 1943 until his retirement over thirty years later. Colonel Botteon has been actively involved in the Army recruiting effort in the Baltimore area in a most unique way. As the owner of the building which houses the Army recruting station on Conkling Street in Baltimore, COL Botteon reports for work every day as a volunteer recruiter. He helps in screening applicants, making phone calls, providing information and sharing experiences of service with today's youth. COL Botteon makes numerous appearances on behalf of the Army and provides help and insight into what military service is like, based on his service in all major conflicts of the last half of the twentieth century. He is also an avid supporter of scouting in the Baltimore area and quietly gives support to other youth causes in the greater Baltimore community. He is also an avid owner of thoroughbred race horces.

OSCAR E. "BOB" COLLIER

RICHARD "DICK" SEIFEL

Richard “Dick” Seifel served in World War II from 1941 to 1944. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1941 at the age of 16. He served in various Pacific Theater campaigns and later in the Defense of the Pacific in American Samoa. After the war he married the former Dolly Flanigan and settled in Watertown SD. In May of 1945 he began a long and successful career with the United States Postal Service in Watertown until his retirement in January 1981. He has spent many years since his discharge as a pillar of the Watertown community. He is noted for numerous community and charitable causes in youth related activities, veterans awareness programs and through many hours of local volunteer service. He is retired in Watertown with his wife Dolly. The Seifels have three grown children; Burt, Tammy and Peggy.

2004     PAUL ARCA

A resident of Saint Peters, MO, Paul served his country during the Vietnam War in 1969 as a member of the United States Army’s 508th Airborne. He served in the Army from 1968-1972. Among his military awards are the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Paul is being recognized for his series of radio liners that he produced for service members serving in Iraq. His productions were inspirational patriotic productions that let the service members know that the people back home appreciate their service to America. His productions were broadcast extensively over Armed Forces Radio. Paul is also active in the many worthy causes and charitable programs conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America and on behalf of Pointman Ministries, a patriotic foundation that minister to the needs of veterans and service members. His story, "An American Life" can be found at: www.conta ctradio.org ( Go to "Listen Online" and scroll down to "An American Life").

2003    CLINT CONERLY

Clint Conerly, a retired Colonel from the US Army National Guard, has been involved in a selfless tradition of giving that dates back for at least 10 years. Each year before Christmas, he takes it upon himself to personally buy up to 2,700 White House Historical Christmas Ornaments. Using his own time and money, he travels nearly 50 miles to the White House Historical Association warehouse for the ornaments and purchases them directly from the distributor. He then provides them at cost to all who rely on his annual kindness to make their Christmas and that of their families better. This selfless act saves people seven dollars per ornament on average. His personal involvement and caring for others and his attitude of good will toward others reflect highly on all veterans and uphold our Association's goals of "giving back to the community."

2002  WILLIAM L. PETTYS

2001       Military Members and Veterans of the Pentagon

For significant contributions to our nation's defense in conjunction with the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States and the pentagon. All the active and veteran military members present that day exemplify the true spirit of selfless service. The association proudly recognizes all active and former service members assigned to the pentagon on that historic date in our nation's history as the 2001 veterans of the year.

2000    LARRY HENDERHAN

1999   FRANCIS MURTHA

Frank retired as a Sergeant Major from the United States Army Reserves in 1990 with over 40 years of service.  Since his retirement, Frank has been a veteran’s rights advocate, particularly in the quest for equitable treatment for older veterans and retirees.  As a result of Frank’s efforts as part of a distinguished group of veteran’s activists, the United States Congress passed legislation to preserve medical care for older military retirees.  Frank currently serves as Veteran’s Affairs advisor for the NGOB Association.  

1998     WALTER J. GLATTHAAR JR.

Walt Glatthaar was an ABC sports and KMOX (St. Louis) television and
radio personality for over 30 years. Walt's specialty was auto racing. He was
the voice of auto racing on his syndicated racing program broadcasted
(world-wide over the Internet, and nation-wide, through KMOX (CBS) radio
in Saint Louis, MO.) Walt was a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division who
served shortly after World War II. Walt initiated an effort to recognize
military members serving around the world by reading their names at the
end of each of his broadcasts. Walt died in June (1999), shortly after being
recognized as veteran of the year.

1997    BOXCAR WILLIE (LECIL MARTIN)