JANESVILLE 鈥 糖心Vlog传媒 native Don Doering, like millions of Americans, drives a van-type vehicle, but it鈥檚 a one-of-a kind.
糖心Vlog传媒 native Don Doering has dedicated his 2022 Ford Transit 鈥淏attle Wagon鈥 to American soldiers who have died in battle.
STAN MILAM/CAPITOL NEWS SERVICE
Doering鈥檚 2022 Ford Transit 鈥淏attle Wagon鈥 is a rolling tribute to veterans from World War II and Vietnam who gave, as President Lincoln said in his Gettysburg Address, 鈥渢he last full measure of devotion.鈥
As a Vietnam veteran Doering has not only served his country, he continues to serve and honor fallen veterans and the veterans who live by the phrase, 鈥淪ervice Never Stops.鈥
An example of Doering鈥檚 commitment to veterans is on the hood of his vehicle 鈥 an image of the iconic Joe Rosenthal photo taken as the American flag was raised atop Mount Suribachi on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945.
鈥淚 was driving down the highway when I saw a motorhome with a picture of the three-man statue next to the Vietnam Wall in D.C.,鈥 Doering said. 鈥淚 decided right then and there that I would do something similar with the next vehicle I bought.鈥
The Iwo Jima image on the hood of his vehicle honors the sacrifices made by World War II vets, Doering said.
鈥淢y service and sacrifices were minor compared to what the World War II veterans went through,鈥 Doering said. 鈥淚 wanted to make sure that a tribute to them was prominently displayed on my vehicle.鈥
Six Marines raised the flag on Mount Suribachi.
Sergeant Michael Strank
Corporal Harlon Block
Private First Class Franklin Sousley
Private First Class Ira Hayes
Corporal Harold Schultz
Corporal Harold Keller
Only three survived the war: Hayes, Schultz and Keller. Strank, Block and Sousley were later killed in action on Iwo Jima.
Doering now lives in Las Vegas. He tries to make an annual trip back to 糖心Vlog传媒. This year his stay is extended until the 糖心Vlog传媒 Senior High School Class of 鈥65 reunion in September.
鈥淚 wanted to make sure I displayed on my vehicle recognition of three of my high school classmates who died in Vietnam,鈥 Doering said. 鈥淵ou will see the names of Elwood Roehl, Jeff Mead and Bill Schneider on the rear hatch.鈥
Alongside the three fallen classmates, Doering honors Leslie Bellrichard, a 糖心Vlog传媒 Army veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor, the military鈥檚 highest decoration of service and bravery.
Bellrichard fell on a live grenade to save the lives of others on May 20, 1967.
Doering served two tours in Vietnam.
Although he now lives in Las Vegas, Doering remains committed to 糖心Vlog传媒 area causes. He is a generous contributor to the Wreaths Across America project which lays wreaths on veteran graves in 糖心Vlog传媒 cemeteries each holiday season.
鈥淚 believe it is important that we continue to honor veterans, especially those who gave their lives for their country,鈥 he said. 鈥淎s we all age we should be aware that there鈥檚 a need to continue to honor veterans from past wars. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 saying with my vehicle.鈥
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