Dressler is a Veteran of the Korean War, having enlisted May of 1952. Dressler chose to enlist because everybody around him was enlisting and he wanted to be able to choose his military branch. Gene was born and raised in Claflin, KS where he enlisted. He attended boot camp for sixteen weeks at Fort Pickett in VA. Dressler was part of the Army Medical Corp. After basic training, Dressler spent the next seven months in Denver, CO at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. He was trained as a medic, an army job that he was able to choose. Dressler had orders for the Far East Command, but shortly after receiving those orders, he was one of four taken off of the list and was instead sent to Mainz-Gonsenheim, Germany. He felt that he was very lucky to have not been sent to Korea, as the opposition was specifically targeting medics. He spent a year in Germany before taking a ship back to the United States where he was discharged from Ft. Knox, KY in May of 1954. Dressler did not see any combat, but had some very interesting experiences during his military enlistment. During his time in Denver, he and other soldiers were bussed to different ski resorts around the Denver area. So every weekend for the six months he was there he skiied. While stationed in Germany, Dressler had the opportunity to try out for the All European Skeet Team. It took him a month to join the team. As a member of the team he was able to go and shoot skeet for a week in Garmisch, Germany. During his time in Germany, Dressler was able to take two-two week leaves where he traveled throughout Europe. He traveled to England, Italy, Switzerland, France, Bavaria and Prague. Bavaria being his favorite place that he has traveled to during his life. He received a Good Coduct Medal while stationed in Germany. After being discharged from the army as a sergeant, Dressler immediately went to college for six years at Kansas State University to become a veterinarian. He spent his summers during college in Alaska. In Alaska he did construction, fought forest fires, and even gold mined. After college, Dressler moved to Miller, SD to work as a vet. He practiced in Miller for two years. While in Miller, Gene met his wife, Gertie Stratton of Marion, SD. They moved to Wagner and raised their six kids: Kimberly, Michael, Michelle, Jodie, Todd and Douglas. Doc Dressler was a vet here in Wagner for 34 years before retiring.

Dressler was an active hunter and fisherman. His favorite animal to hunt was elk. During basic training Dressler met lifelong friend andhunting buddy, Johnny Walker of Lancaster, WI; theyhunted pheasants together for fifty-seven years. He has also enjoyed fishing for northern and walleye in Canada. He and his wife were avid travelers throughout their lives having traveled to all the US states but three and all throughout Europe. Dressler has been a member of the American Legion for the last sixty-five years. He also was a member of the Rotary for nine years along with many other local organizations over the years.

Dressler was the first of his family to join the military and inspired future generations to serve. His son, Todd, made a career out of the military serving thirty-seven years before retiring as a chief warrant officer. Dressler has also had several grandsons join various military branches.

Thank you Gene for your service and for being the September Veteran of the month.