Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Eddy, Zank, Tesmer, Schutz
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 7/31/2019
American Legion to Recognize Veteran (Dennis Eddy - 2019)
Dennis Eddy to be Recognized for Military Service
Dennis Eddy is one of three veterans to be honored for service by the Neillsville Legion in August. Photo submitted
Dennis Eddy will be one of three veterans and one of two Eddys to be honored for serviced in the U. S. Military by the Neillsville Legion.
Eddy was born in Sparta and attended Cashton Elementary School prior to moving to Neillsville with his family. He graduated from Neillsville High School in 1966.
During his high school days, Eddy worked at H. H. Van Gorden’s and for several farmers.
During his senior year, Eddy enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. He joined in August 1966.
Eddy had basic training and technical school in Amarillo, TX. He was trained as a jet engine mechanic. He was transferred to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, DE., for the duration of his service time. Dover Air Force Base is the home of the largest military mortuary in the Department of Defense.
Eddy was assigned to jet engine buildup where he worked on the TF-33 jet engine. This engine was installed in the C-141 cargo planes.
Being at a military airlift command (MAC) base, Eddy would see lots of equipment loaded for the war in Vietnam, he said. Planes landing in Dover were loaded with caskets of soldiers who gave their lives for the country.
“It was sad to see,” Eddy said.
He was in Dover long enough to see the C-5A cargo plane, but the C-141 and the C-130 were the workhorses of a MAC base, Eddy said.
“We never lost a plane because of mechanical failure from our base,” Eddy said proudly.
Eddy was discharged in August 1970 with two more years of inactive duty.
Eddy married Donna Zank in 1967. They have one son, Gregory.
They moved back to Neillsville, and Eddy worked for Tesmer Construction for 22 years. He later worked for the Neillsville Street Department. He retired in 2014.
Eddy enjoys golf, hunting, bowling, woodworking and spending time with family and just life in general, he said.
Eddy will be honored along with his brother, Edgar, and Charles Schutz this Monday, Aug.; 5, at the Legion, 6 Boon Boulevard. There will be a social hour at 4:30 p.m. and potluck at 5:30 p.m.
