Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

February 24, 2010, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Area Soldiers enjoy steak feed

By Peter Spicer 

The Welcome Home Soldier Steak Feed held at Neillsville?s American Legion Post 73 Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 was an opportunity for area soldiers who recently returned from Iraq to enjoy some food, fun and entertainment. 

The steak feed guest list included 20 soldiers who returned home in January from serving the country in Iraq.  The 32^nd Brigade National Guard Unit was deployed to Iraq for 10 months.

 Active duty soldiers received a free steak dinner and enjoyed entertainment from the Silver Express Band and other activities at the Legion, including games of pool.

Soldiers Adam Carter and James Kluk, both of Stevens Point, played several games of Pool Saturday evening while attempting to recall what date in January they returned home; after failing to recall the exact date, Kluk smiled and stated, "It's just good to be home."

Temperatures reached approximately 130 degrees in Iraq, explained Neillsville High School graduates Jack Devries and Dana Elmhorst, who were stationed in Bucca, Iraq, and transported Iraqi detainees to multiple locations.

Both Devries and Elmhorst are adjusting to life back home.  Devries runs his own business in Baldwin; Elmhorst is studying Urban Forestry at Mid-State Technical College and is employed by his father. 

Although Dana?s mother, Connie Elmhorst, joked the grocery bill has increased since Dana returned, she stated it's great to have him home.

American Legion members didn't think twice about hosting an event such as the steak feed, said American Legion vice Commander Clem Schultz, who is on the American Legion Board of Officers.  The Legion's only decision was what to host to honor the soldiers, he explained.

American Legion members all served in the military and know what it's like to return home from serving overseas, said Schultz.

"We've all been there," stated Schultz, who was in the U. S. Navy from 1962-1966, serving in the Santo Domingo crisis.

Schultz, who helped cook the approximately 300 steaks served, was one of the nearly 20 volunteers who helped at the Steak feed.

 ?[The steak feed] is recognition for what [the soldiers] did,? concluded Schultz.