Stegmeier is a Veteran of the Vietnam War. Merritt was drafted on December 28th, 1965, and assigned to the Army. Stegmeier spent his eight weeks of basic training at Fort Ord in CA. He was then sent to Fort Monmouth, NJ for sixteen weeks for his Advanced Individual Training (AIT). His AIT was in microwave/radio repair along with fifteen other soldiers. On August 15th, 1966, Merrit was sent to Vietnam. He deployed from Yakima, WA then to Oakland, CA where he was sent to Saigon, Vietnam.

Stegmeier was stationed at the 518 Signal Company headquarters in Vung Tau. Vung Tau is in southern Vietnam along the coast. It was away from conflict and combat. The Army used the area as in country rest and relaxation. Upon arriving at Vung Tau, he was greeted by the other fifteen soldiers from his AIT training who had been deployed several weeks ahead of him. While in Vung Tau, Stegmeier played catcher and pitcher for the company’s fast pitch softball team. During the winter/monsoon season, he was transferred to radio site Vung Chua, which was on top of a mountain in central Vietnam. After two weeks of being in Vung Chua, he reported back to Vung Tau to play in a softball league tournament, which their company won. Merritt returned to Vung Chua after nine days.

In Vung Chua, he was a part of a two-person specialized team that was allowed to go by themselves in a vehicle called a deuce and a half without the escort of convoys to repair various surrounding microwave/ radio sites. His teammate was a man named Don, whom Merritt figured out was actually his cousin. They were inseparable and became closer than brothers. They remained close friends up until 5 years ago when Don passed away. Stegmeier was stationed at Vung Chua until the monsoon season was over. He then returned to Vung Tau where he was on duty and played softball. After two more months at Vung Tau, he was transferred to Nha Trang, Vietnam for another two months before being sent back to the states October 1, 1967. Merritt did not see any combat but did experience animals tripping the perimeters of the camp. This would set off flares and loud noises jolting the soldiers out of bed not knowing what was going on. Stegmeier received the Vietnam Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

While in Vietnam, Merritt took many pictures of the beautiful countryside. While in Vung Chua, they were working on a radio tower that was 120 feet high that had a lighted beacon. The bulb needed to be changed and he was chosen to do it. He was able to take ariel photos while on the tower that showed the entirety of the city and into the sea. Stegmeier had the opportunity to teach English at an orphanage to 75 boys. The boys were very excited to get to learn English. Unfortunately, Merritt and Don were only able to teach for about a month before they were transferred.

Merritt was born in Bismark. ND. In 1949, his family moved to Selah, WA where he graduated ten years later. He then attended Yakima Valley College and Washington State University where he majored in forestry and forest recreation. After college, Stegmeier started his career at the Army Corp of Engineers. He worked at Portland, OR, Washington, DC, Gavin’s Point and Fort Randall locations. Altogether he worked thirty-three years for the federal service. After retiring from the Corp of Engineers, Merritt managed Jones Food Center in Lake Andes for seven years. He then worked for Cabela’s in Michell for twelve years. Finally, Stegmeier retired in 2017.

Stegmeier is married to Joanne (Kirkpatrick). They have five children Jeff, John, Bronwyn, Brenda and Elizabeth. They have nine grandchildren. Merritt enjoys hunting and fishing. His favorite animal to hunt is antelope. He enjoys ice fishing and of course fishing for walleye. Stegmeier attends church in Spencer, NE at Spencer Wesleyan Church. He has been a very active part of the Lake Andes community over the years. Merritt has been a member of the VFW for 23 years, belonged to Lakers, golf club, city council, was mayor of Lake Andes for two terms, and has been on the Andes Central School Board, Lions Club, Good Sam Nursing Home Advisory Board, and the Spencer Church board. He has held many offices in the VFW. Currently, Merritt is the commander, but has also served as the secretary and vice commander.

Thank you, Merritt, for your service and for being the August