X

Larry Namminga decided to join the Springfield National Guard Unit in November of 1962. Being that he was only 17 when he enlisted, Namminga had to wait a year until he was able to attend basic training. At Namminga’s time of enlistment, there were ten of his classmates that also enlisted in the National Guard and another six from the local area, one of which was Kenny Powers. In September of 1963, Namminga left Springfield to attend basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. While he was in the midst of his basic training, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. After the President was first assassinated, Fort Leonard Wood was not sure what the aftermath of the event would be and locked down the base. After he completed basic training, Namminga was able to come home for two weeks on leave during Christmas. He was also able to stay at Fort Leonard Wood for his advanced individual training (AIT). Namminga was trained as a heavy equipment operator, which in Namminga’s words meant that he “drove a big truck”. After completing his National Guard training, Namminga returned home to Springfield. He continued to participate in the monthly drills and summer camps as required by the National Guard until 1965-1966 when there was a need to train recruits for the Vietnam War as there was not enough basic training available for the number of men drafted. Namminga was a part of the training relief to get soldiers ready for Vietnam. He remembers training the new recruits with many of them being local South Dakota and Nebraska kids. In 1966, he returned to the farm. In addition to monthly drills, National Guard summer camps were always a highlight of Namminga’s service because it was a time to forge comradery with fellow soldiers. Many of the summer camps were held at Camp Rapid in Rapid City. One summer camp in particular that was out of the ordinary for the unit to attend was Camp Ripley in MN. Namminga can remember that particular summer was just horrible for mosquitoes and it rained constantly as they did repair work on the Camp Riley Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River. Namminga was honorably discharged from his service with the National Guard in September of 1969. One of the perks of being in the National Guard was that he was able to serve and continue farming. As he was the only boy out of four children, Namminga helped on the family farm. In 1965, one of his uncles passed away and Namminga moved outside of Avon, taking over his uncle’s farm. In 1968, Namminga met his future wife, Muriel. He, a friend and the friend’s girlfriend were driving around one evening and asked Namminga where he wanted to go. Namminga said west because that is where all the Dutch girls are. The trio ended up in Corsica where he met Muriel. The couple dated for two years and were wed on August 21, 1970. They have three children Christi, Brenda and Joel. The couple have also been blessed with eleven grandchildren and one great-grand child. Namminga continued to farm for twenty-five years. Once he retired from farming, he worked at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield for 12 years before having to completely retire due to his health. When asked what were some of the highlights from his military service, Namminga listed several. The first being that he enjoyed helping people, no matter what the circumstances as the National Guard was usually called in to aid after a disaster. He enjoyed building roads in Rapid City. The biggest highlight of his service though was the comradery that he built with his fellow soldiers in the Springfield Unit. What first made Namminga interested in joining the military was that he had two uncles that were drafted in World War II. One of his uncles was a part of the after-war clean-up crew in Japan and did not have very good stories or memories of his time in the service. Even after hearing his uncle’s experience, Namminga wanted to serve. Namminga also had a good recruiter that helped make his decision easier. He would have continued his service in the National Guard longer, but farming did not leave him as much time as was required to fulfil his National Guard duties. Namminga is very glad that he joined the National Guard. Joining with a group of men that he knew and or grew to know made his experience all that more enjoyable. Of the ten classmates that he joined with, almost all of them spent six years or more in the Springfield National Guard Unit, making the monthly drills almost like a class reunion. Being a part of the National Guard also allowed Namminga to see and experience different places and people, really opening his eyes to the world. One of his only regrets would be that he did not keep in contact with some of his unit mates after he was discharged. He would recommend joining the National Guard to anyone to help build their life experience and also help him or her figure out what they want to do in their future. Some of Namminga’s hobbies have included hunting deer, antelope and pheasants as well as being good natured and jokingly giving people a hard time. One thing is for sure, Namminga has a fun, funny and upbeat personality that can make anyone comfortable in his presence. Over the years, Namminga has been very active in the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield serving as Sunday School Superintendent and deacon. He has also been a member of the Avon American Legion for the last six years and has served as a flag carrier. Thank you, Larry, for your service and being Avon’s November Veteran of the Month.