The Wagner American Legion Auxiliary Greer Unit #11 is honoring Michael Kirwan as June’s Veteran of the Month. Michael Kirwan was drafted by the Army on January 19th 1951; he was 18 years old. He was the only man drafted from the area that he knew of when he left for his draft physical. Mike completed his basic training in Fort Riley, Kansas. He spent 16 weeks in total doing both his basic and infantry training all at Fort Riley. After completing his training, Mike can remember the Army officials putting up the list of where all of the soldiers were headed to after training concluded. Everyone in the unit thought that they would be headed to Korea, but in fact the group was dispersed to one of three areas. Some were to stay in the United States and be stationed, other soldiers were stationed in Europe and the rest of the unit was sent to Korea. Mike was a part of the group that was to be stationed in Europe. Mike said that he would never forget how he felt when he saw Europe next to his name.

Before arriving at his stationed destination in Europe, Mike and fellow soldiers traveling to Europe, stopped in Casa-blanca, Africa to work with the French. From there they traveled up the leghorn of Italy then took a train to St. Johann, Austria which was thought to be the middle of the Alps and was located very close to Switzerland. This was to be his deployment post for the rest of his draft service.

Being stationed in Europe meant that as an infantry soldier Mike would be watching the Russians along the Iron Curtain. The Iron Curtain was a political term that was used during the Cold War to describe the physical and political boundary that separated Europe into two sections from 1945 to 1991. The countries that were considered to be “behind the Iron Curtain” and to be influenced by the Soviet Union were the Soviet Union, East Germany, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Albania, Bulgaria, amongst others. Mike was still considered to be a part of the infantry division even when he was stationed in Europe. It was part of his job to watch the Russians along the Iron Curtain. While in Europe, the way that they traveled was by convoys that would truck the soldiers to different locations with each truck carrying 30-40 soldiers. They also did a lot of marching with full packs and their weapons to keep them prepared at all times. They were on constant alert because Russia was threatening to take over all of Europe and they were to be the first line of defense should Russia make any moves into Europe. Mike was a part of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division which was located in the Alps and spanned Germany, Austria and Italy.

One of the first things that Mike had to do as a part of this particular division was learn how to ski. In fact, his first day there, he started to learn the basics of skiing. There was even a ski tow that came in and out of their camp. During his deployment, Mike skied the Alps. This being his first time out of South Dakota, Mike had many first experiences and highlights from his Army duty. Some of those included spending a week in Ireland visiting relatives and on Easter Sunday getting to see Pope Pius XII appear on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to preside over Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Mike can recall being in St. Peter’s Square with 100,000 other people feeling amazed at being in the presence of the Pope.

Mike’s draft duty was extended until 1955. When his service for the Army had ended, because he was drafted, he was still expected to be a part of the Army Reserves. He had to meet with the Reserves one time a month and participate in two weeks of training in the Black Hills once a year.

Mike was born and raised in Fort Randall. He was the son of a farmer and his mother was a school teacher before getting married. Mike was delivered on the farm by his grandma (his mom’s mother). He attended Fort Randall Country School District #26 through eighth grade. Once he graduated from eighth grade, Mike attended and graduated from high school in Fairfax.

When Mike returned from the service, he came home to Fort Randall and thought he would be farming on the family farm. Unfortunately, it was a very dry year and he was forced to look for work in Bonesteel. Mike and some of his Army buddies eventually found an opportunity in Climax, CO working for an underground mining company. The company mined molybdenite. Molybdenite is an ore that when processed with other materials is used in fertilizer, as a catalyst, hardening steel and in battery electrodes. While working at the mine in Colorado, Mike met his wife, Willa Turner, at a dance. The couple married. When Mike’s father passed away, Mike returned to the family farm with his wife and farmed while they raised their children. The couple had six children Eddie, Teri, Jeannie, Marita, Kathleen and Michael “Mick”.

Mike comes from a long line of servicemen. His great grandfather was stationed in Europe during the Civil War; for his service his great grandfather was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in Chamberlain. Mike’s father was unable to be drafted as being a farmer was deemed an essential occupation during his years. Mike’s son, Mick, continued the family tradition and enlisted and served for eight years in the Air Force after graduating from high school. Eventually Mick was stationed in Japan where he served in Special Operations in 65 countries around the world. Mick served in Desert Shield, Desert Calm and Desert Storm. After completing his military service and leaving the military, Mick developed service-related lupus. Years later, he passed away from medical complications from Lupus which he developed as a result of his service.

Over the years, Mike has belonged to several organizations and been on several boards. He has been a member of the American Legion for 60 years starting his membership in Lake Andes and transferring it to Wagner. Mike did serve as Legion Commander at one time when he was still a member of the Lake Andes post. He has been a part of the VFW for 60 years as well. Other organizations that Mike has been a part of have been St. Mark’s Catholic Church Parish Council, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Council, the Fort Randall Rural School Board and was named Young Farmers of the Year.

Mike’s message to any young person not exactly sure what they want to do after high school would be to join the military. The military will give he or she more insight on what interests them and what they may want to do for a future career. It will also take them to places that most people do not get to see or experience.

Thank you, Mike, for your service and sacrifice and for being this month’s Veteran of the Month.