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Bruce Voigt is being honored as the Avon Veteran of the Month. Bruce dedicated just shy of 21 years of service to the Springfield National Guard Unit. Bruce ended his service in January of 1994 when the Springfield National Guard Unit closed. He finished his service as an E6 Staff Sergeant. Voigt began his service at the age of 17 in June 1973. He originally joined after a classmate’s brother talked to him about the benefits of joining the National Guard. He spent his senior year as a member of the Springfield National Guard Unit. Bruce attended basic training and his advanced individual training (AIT) at the Fort Leonard Wood Army base in Missouri. Voigt received his AIT as a heavy equipment operator. After receiving his training, Bruce returned to Avon where he started farming. Over the years he also worked at a gas station in Avon and the ethanol plant in Scotland. Throughout his almost 21 years of service, Bruce attended numerous summer camps with the National Guard. These camps included Edgemont, SD; Custer State Park; Fort Riley, KS; Camp Guernsey, WY; Ripley, MN; Vermillion, Camp Rapid and Yakima, WA. His unit also went to Panama in 1993 for two weeks during peace time. There were guard units and Air Force personnel from all over the United States in Panama at the time. Bruce also attended some extra training including Winter Survival training in Fort Riley, KS; Desert training at Fort Irwin, CA; and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) training at Fort Meade. The NBC training was done during the Gulf War in case the unit would need to be activated. The Springfield National Guard Unit was very active in offering extra training and various summer camps for their guards’ members to attend. One of the highlights of Bruce’s military service was being able to serve with four of his classmates. Three of his classmates including himself joined the Springfield National Guard in 1973. Voigt had two other classmates that went into the Marines and Army before coming back to the area and also joining the Springfield National Guard Unit. These men spent 20 years together as a part of the Springfield National Guard Unit. Every month when the unit had guard drills it was like a class reunion for the five who became life-long friends in addition to fellow soldiers. Another highlight of Bruce’s military career was his two weeks in Panama. Member of his unit flew into Panama City, and were then bussed to the middle of Panama. Even though it was 1993, it was like traveling back in time 100 years. The people used horses and motorcycles as transportation, lived in bamboo huts and washed their clothes in the river. It was a very eye-opening experience that made Bruce feel truly blessed when he returned to the United States. Voigt was born in Wagner, raised in Avon and spent 20 years of his married life in Tyndall before moving back to the Avon farm. Bruce married Barbara Zilla. Barbara was from a military family who was stationed in Springfield and she attended High School in Yankton. They have three children Joe, Josh, and Kari. Bruce is currently semi-retired. In the summer he puts up hay, he also helps at Farmer Coop Farm & Ranch Supply and at Jurrens Electronics. During his years in the Avon and Tyndall area Bruce has served on many boards and councils including the Tyndall City Council, Tyndall Development Corporation, Bon Homme and Hutchinson Prevailing Wind Board, Avon Elevator Board, Bon Homme County Commissioner and is currently on the Avon Coop Board. Bruce is a 45-year member of the Avon American Legion and is a paid life-time member. During his time with the Avon American Legion, Voigt has served as Commander, Vice-Commander, Adjudicate, and Sergeant at Arms. Bruce is currently the Sgt. At Arms and is a part of the Firing Squad. Thank you, Bruce, for your dedication, your dedication and for being this month’s Veteran of the Month.