The annual observance of Memorial Day by the Dubois County Veterans Council will be Saturday May 27th beginning at 10:00 am on the west side of the Dubois County Courthouse in Jasper at the Veteran’s Memorial and Fountain. All Veterans Organizations of Dubois County will be represented and all Veterans who passed away this past year will be remembered.
This year’s deceased veteran to be honored is Francis “Frank” Ebenkamp. Frank was born on July 14th 1925 to Frank and Rose Brockman Ebenkamp. At the age of 17 Frank Joined the US Navy on June 4th 1943. After Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Station, Frank trained at the US Navy Hospital Annapolis MD and then transferred to Camp Pendleton Oceanside CA. where he was assigned to the Marine 5th Division , 5th Medical Battalion Company B as a Second Class Petty Officer Navy Corpsman.
Frank was in the sixth wave landing on the beaches of Iwo Jima which landed just 15 minutes after the first wave. Over 26,000 American were injured with 6800 dying from their wounds. The assault lasted 36 days and securing the Island of Iwo Jima was an important victory for winning the war in the Pacific. Frank encountered 35 days in combat treating the wounded Marines until the island was secured. For his bravery during this horrific battle Frank was awarded the Bronze Star. Frank was never wounded because he said “I was always at the right place at the right time”.
Frank Ebenkamp was discharged from the US Navy on July 16th 1946 and married Patrica Dishinger on April 21 1951. Married over 59 years Pat died on Nov. 12, 2010. Frank passed away on Feb. 7th of this year. He is survived by his son Scott and wife Shannon and Grand Children Abby, Sam and Kayce. Frank was awarded the Asiatic Pacific 1 Star, America Area, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal 1 Star, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon along with his Bronze Star.
Frank was a member of VFW Post 673, American Legion Post 147, and the Southern Indiana Leathernecks Detachment of the Marine Corps League. Frank was active in the community being a member of the Jasper Kiawanis, St. Joseph Church, Jasper Knights
of Columbus and always leading the cheer “Alright, OK , GO CATS GO for the Jasper Wildcats.
Guest speaker for this years Observance is Lieutenant Commander Michael A. Gorski, Executive Officer, Naval Support Activity Crane. Lieutenant Commander Gorski was born in Newport, Rhode Island. He attended the University of Toledo where he graduated with a degree in Physics. He started his naval career at Officer Candidate School in Pensacola and was commissioned in April of 1999.
Lieutenant Commander Gorski reported to NAS Pensacola to start his career as a Naval Aviator and received his Wings of Gold in April 2000. Upon completion of flight training, he was transferred to NAS North Island to fly the H-46 Sea Knight helicopter and served as DET-7 Division Officer. While at HC-11, he deployed twice to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Following his tour at HSC-9, Lieutenant Commander Gorski transferred to Naval Station Whiting in Milton, FL to be a TH-57 instructor pilot. During his tour, he served as a FAM instructor, Flight Leader, and then transitioned to the Helicopter Instructor Training Unit (HITU) to train new instructors. Lieutenant Commander Gorski then transferred to the Navy International Programs Officer to serve as an International Export Licensing Officer. After this tour, Lieutenant Commander Gorski volunteered for a Global War on Terrorism Support Assignment, and reported to Iraq. There he served as the 5th Engineering Battalion Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) in Balad, then as the 155th Brigade Combat Team EWO in Camp Taji.
In 2010, he transitioned to the MH-60S community at Naval Station Norfolk for his Department Head tour. Lieutenant Commander Gorski deployed with the USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH Carrier Strike Group to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation NEW DAWN and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Lieutenant Commander Gorski’s military decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign, unit, and service awards. He has over 2,800 career flight hours as a naval aviator. Keith Ingram President of the DCVC and Commander of Holland Legion Post 343 will be the master of ceremonies. Jim Meyer Chaplain of Holland Legion Post 343 will be the presiding chaplain. The National Anthem and other patriotic Songs will be sung by Bernie Jeffries and the Recycled Teenagers. Steve Bartels from the American Legion Riders will conduct the POW/MIA Ceremony. Dan Hollinden from Navy Club Ship #90 will conduct a ritual remembering Sailors.
Taps will be played by Mark Messmer of Jasper after the 21-Gun Salute honoring all deceased Veterans. The Jasper Park and Recreation Department will provide temporary bleachers for this event but you are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
The Monsignor Wernsing K of C 4th Degree Assembly 0251 and Boy Scout Troop 185 will be serving bottled water during this event. VFW Post 673 1907 Newton Street Jasper will host a reception for the family and friends of Frank Ebenkamp along with those participating in this event. In case of in climate weather all events will be held at VFW Post 1907 Newton Street Jasper.
For more information please contact Keith Ingram President of the DCVC 812-630-2777