‘I Would Do It All Over Again’

May 24, 2023 by Rose Nemunaitis

On Memorial Day — a holiday steeped in solemnity, American history and tradition — communities around Geauga County will recognize the commitment of the nation’s military members and honor those who didn’t make it back home.

A group of Geauga County-area heroes, dating back to the Greatest Generation, recently gathered at Chardon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6519 to remember and inspire.

World War II/Battle of the Bulge – Richard Ensign

Born and raised on his family’s farm in Claridon Township, Richard Ensign, 98, is grateful to have helped preserve U.S. freedoms.

He served in the 863rd Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion in the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Central Europe.

While thankful he survived the battles, Ensign said he was equally lucky on the trip home, as they endured hurricanes on their victory ship back to America.

“The service teaches many life lessons to use as we age,” Ensign said. “I would serve again, if physically able. We must defend our country from socialism and terrorist(s) in order to remain a free country.”

Korean War/Stateside – Richard Voldrich

Born in Bedford, Richard Voldrich, 90, graduated from Benedictine High School and was drafted during the Korean War in April 1953.

“I was ready to go if they needed me,” he said, adding he attended boot camp in Indiana.

“When the camp closed, we went to Fort Carson in Colorado,” he said. “I spent the rest of my time there in the motor pool fixing anything with wheels (and) getting to the rank of corporal.”

Voldrich completed basic training and then The Korean War ended and he returned home April 1955.

“Yes, I would do it again,” he said. “I think so. I was called to serve my country and glad to help out. I am happy to have served in the army. It was a great learning experience and I think I would do it over. I got to see different camps and different parts of the country.”

Vietnam War – Mike Warner

Mike Warner, 73, graduated from Chardon High School, enlisted in the U.S. Army and left for basic training Aug. 2, 1968.

“I’m very grateful for my time in the service,” said Warner, who served from August 1968 until July 1971 in the regular Army and from August 1978 to February 1987 in the Ohio Army National Guard.

Warner also served in Vietnam from February 1969 to October 1970 as a radio man, driver, personal bodyguard and security, and said he feels blessed to have made it home since so many did not.

“When I think about the ones who didn’t make it home, it is up to us who made it home to remember the ones who didn’t return,” he said. “Yes, it would be an honor to serve this great nation. Once you have served in a war, you are grateful to live in this country, regardless of the political climate. To serve in the military and protect loved ones at home would be my reason to serve.”

Gulf War – Don Baker

Don Baker, 58, grew up in Montville and Hambden townships and enlisted after graduation in 1982 from Chardon High School.

He spent 30 years in U.S. Army special forces with more than 300 parachute jumps from combat aircraft.

“In 2007, I became specialized in interrogations and counter-intelligence and other smaller operations and foreign internal defense operations in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain, Bulgaria, former Soviet Union, Oman, areas south of Panama, etc.,” Baker said, adding he would still be enlisted if not for the physical damage he endured while in the line of duty.

Baker loved the adventures and camaraderie of his like-minded fellow soldiers and remembers the guys who gave their all. He said he misses them, but they died doing what they loved.

“I’m glad I served my country,” Baker said. “I would do it all over again.”

Iraq – Steven Oluic

Steven Oluic, 63, was born and raised on the near west-side of Cleveland and graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School and Case Western Reserve University.

“I do wish I was still serving in the U.S. Army. I miss it quite often,” he said, adding he served over 10 years overseas and lastly, as an associate professor and then assistant dean at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have served my country — so very few do so anymore,” Oluic said. “The pride I feel in my service, the trust placed in my abilities/character and the opportunity to lead young Americans was incredibly fulfilling.”

He added, “When people ask me why … I usually note the soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen and coast guardsmen I served with over my 27-year career — and I served with all branches, especially overseas. The fulfillment of having accomplished things that never in a lifetime I would have encountered in the civilian world, knowing leaders that were exemplars of integrity, moral courage and decisiveness; being surrounded by excellence from enlisted through the officer corps. The knowledge that the ‘mission drives everything,’ yours or others personal concerns, petty grievances and downright nasty politics were subordinated to that mission, whatever it was.”

Oluic learned what was important, what was peripheral and what was “nonsense,” he said, adding service in the armed forces cannot be mirrored in any other profession and he highly recommends it to any young American.

“I also can rest in the fact that I did my part for the country I love,” he said.

Operation Enduring Freedom/Afghanistan – Douglas Lundblad

Douglas Lundblad, 56, who serves on the Geauga County Veterans Services Commission, grew up in Willoughby and graduated in 1985 from Riverside High School, joining the army in 1987 and retiring in 2014.

“Without hesitation, I would do it all again,” Lundblad said, of his 27 years of service —  seven years active-duty and 20 years with the Ohio Army National Guard.

“I still continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans,” Lundblad said. “I will always honor and remember all who have served and all that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and to celebrate the courage of all who gave their life in the name of freedom.”

Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraq – Stacie Malone

“If given the chance to do it all over again, I absolutely would,” Stacie Malone, 53, said. “I am a third generation of our family to serve our country, so it’s an honor and a privilege to do so … to truly see how lucky we are as a nation and the freedom we have from so many that have gone before us, to give us that right to live as we choose. What better legacy to be a part of.”

Malone was born in Morocco, Africa. Her father, stationed there at the time, and her grandfather were both in the U.S. Navy.

Malone was raised in Chardon and graduated from Chardon High School. She moved back to the states when she was 6 months old.

At age 21, with a 1-year-old daughter, Malone committed to duty from 2007 to 2010.

“It was a great experience not only for myself but my family, as well,” Malone said. “I never in my life thought I would see 19 different countries or work in different oceans all over the world just to do my job. It’s humbling when people say thank you for your service. To me, I did my job I was trained to do, nothing more, nothing less. The memories, camaraderie and lifelong friends you make — it was my pleasure.” 

Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraq – Joel Ovanic

Joel Ovanic, 52, was born in Lincoln Park, Mich., and raised in Hot Springs, Ark. He joined the army reserves when he was just a junior in high school in 1988 and did not go on active duty until after college.

“I would do it again because I loved it,” Ovanic said. “Best job I ever had.”

He completed two tours of duty in Kosovo and four combat tours in Iraq, serving 28 years — eight in national guard and 20 years active duty.
“I am very grateful to have served,” he said. “I would still be serving if it were not for the fact that my body started to break down.” 

Operation Enduring Freedom/Afghanistan – Ben Bowyer

Ben Bowyer, 32, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating Chardon High School and served from 2009 to 2015.

He served in the infantry and was deployed to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011.

“Yes, I am extremely grateful and fortunate to be home and to be surrounded by a great family and friends,” Bowyer said. “I had the honor to serve alongside a great group of men in the marine corps. Something I will cherish the rest of my life. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”