COLEMAN – Civics students at Coleman High School learned a powerful lesson in living history during a visit to the Coleman Veterans Memorial at Lillian’s Park.
The trip — organized by civics teacher Jeremy Brady and special education paraprofessional Wanda Gappa with Village of Coleman President Jeff Gosa — aimed to provide students with a firsthand look at the sacrifices behind the freedoms they study in class.
What made the visit especially powerful were the guest speakers — four Vietnam War veterans who shared their personal experiences from both during and after the war. Students listened intently as the veterans recounted stories of combat, camaraderie and the challenges they faced upon returning home.
“I want to thank all the people who took part in this trip and gave us [...] the opportunity to learn about our veterans and what they did not only for our country, but for our entire community,” Michael Wilund said.
“It made me think about what service really means.”
The veterans — Dennis Alexander, Jim Karban, Charlie Risner and Ken Stodola — each brought a unique perspective and spoke about the physical and emotional toll on wounded soldiers. Stodola described the intensity of jungle warfare, while Alexander discussed the difficulty of readjusting to civilian life upon returning home amid a divided public opinion about the war.
“We didn’t get welcomed back, and were actually advised not to wear our uniforms when returning home,” said Alexander.
“But speaking to young people like you, who want to understand, that means the world.”
The memorial itself, featuring engraved names, a podium with all branches of the military represented and a bronze statue of a soldier in salute, became more than just a monument to the students — it became a bridge between generations.
“This visit wasn’t just about history,” Brady explained.
“My favorite part of this was talking to the veterans and listening to their stories, experiences and what they went through,” Neveah Jakups said.
James Nowak explained “how special it is seeing all the different names listed of people who have served and died. It was a unique experience seeing how many of my class members are related to people on the plaque and that they didn’t even know that person was there, like my uncle Leonard Nowak.”
“I think it is cool how they have a memorial with each individual’s name, which focuses on the people who really helped the United States. Also, I think it is a good addition to the park. Even though we are a small town, it shows that so many people are involved in helping our community and keeping us safe,” Lilia Wendt shared.
In a special presentation, Stodola and Karban were presented with their Hometown Hero banners before they were hung in town. This is a new program in Coleman spearheaded by Gosa to recognize those who served. Many students said they left the visit with a deeper appreciation for veterans and the value of public service. The school plans to make the veteran memorial visit an annual tradition.
For more information on the Hometown Hero banner program, contact the Village of Coleman.
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