MARSHFIELD BROADCASTING
Honoring service.
Preserving their stories.
Hosted by Tom Buttke
WATCH ON DEMAND
HEROES FROM HOME
Original air date: Jan 31, 2023
Host Tom Buttke welcomes Kathleen and Bob Keil to share their experiences serving in different military branches. Kathleen recalls her Army Nurse Corps assignments, including caring for wounded Vietnam servicemen at Walter Reed. Bob discusses his Navy service aboard the USS Northampton, ship repair work in Guantanamo Bay and duty in San Francisco. Together, they reflect on marrying during their service, demanding work schedules and the lessons they brought home to Marshfield.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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Former Marshfield Mayor Lois TeStrake joins host Tom Buttke to share memories of her father’s World War II Navy service. She reflects on her family’s involvement with the VFW, his Honor Flight experience and the importance of recognizing every veteran’s contribution.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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This episode of Heroes from Home visits Hiller's Ace Hardware in Marshfield, where Phil and Jill Hiller share the story behind their decades-long tradition of placing thousands of American flags throughout Central Wisconsin in honor of military veterans. Learn how a project that began with 3,000 flags has grown into a regional effort supported by volunteers, local businesses, and communities across the area. Host Tom Buttke explores the impact of this patriotic tradition and the importance of remembering and thanking those who have served our country.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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Korean War veteran Alvin Bornbach shares his remarkable story of service, sacrifice, and survival. Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, Bornbach recounts his journey from basic training to the battlefields of Korea, where he endured fierce combat, lost close friends, and earned the Purple Heart after being seriously wounded in action. In this moving conversation with Tom Buttke, he reflects on the realities of war, the challenges veterans face after returning home, and the importance of remembering those who served. A powerful firsthand account from a member of America's Greatest Generation.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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A Minnesota farm boy turned U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst shares his story in Heroes from Home. In this episode, 84-year-old Harry Nienaber reflects on his Cold War service monitoring foreign communications from a remote base in Crete, the discipline he gained in the military, and how his experiences shaped his life after service.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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Heroes from Home highlights the dedication of Marshfield-area veterans who continue to serve their fellow service members through honor guard duties and military funeral rites. The program features personal stories, reflections from community leaders, and a tribute to the volunteers who ensure local veterans are honored with dignity and respect.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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Heroes from Home - Ton Buttke talks to veteran Darrel Casperson and gets his story about being in the service.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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From the Air Force… to the Army… to the Navy. Few can say they’ve served in three branches of the U.S. Military — but Roland Genett can. Hear his incredible journey of service, travel, and family tradition on Heroes from Home.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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In this moving episode of Heroes from Home, we sit down with Joel Strack, a Marshfield native and proud veteran of the National Guard. From joining before he turned 18 to avoid the draft, to intense basic training, artillery school, and being activated during the Berlin Wall crisis—Joel’s story is filled with courage, discipline, and deep commitment. Now 83, Joel continues to serve his community as a dedicated member of the Honor Guard, providing military rites to fallen veterans—a role he calls one of the most gratifying honors of his life. “It teaches you respect… there’s nobody to take care of you but yourself.” Watch Joel’s full story and learn what service, sacrifice, and community truly mean.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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On this episode of Heroes from Home, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran Ken Bores as he shares powerful moments from his service during the Vietnam War. You won’t want to miss this candid and emotional conversation.
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HEROES FROM HOME
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Host Tom Buttke explores Marshfield’s past through the stories of World War I hero Sgt. Willard Purdy and pioneering community leader Anna Lathrop. Local historical interpreters share Purdy’s sacrifice to save fellow soldiers and Lathrop’s contributions to public service, literacy and animal welfare. Learn how the “Walk Among Our Ancestors” cemetery tours bring these stories to life, helping students and visitors connect with the people who shaped Marshfield.
Watch Episode →REMEMBERING SERVICE
Heroes from Home gives local veterans and their families a place to share their experiences in their own words.
Host Tom Buttke guides conversations about military service, life after returning home, family memories, and the connections that continue to shape our community.
Produced at Marshfield Broadcasting, the program helps preserve these stories and recognize the people behind them.
A LASTING LOCAL TRIBUTE
The names of more than 2,200 deceased veterans from Marshfield are displayed on the Wall of Honor.
Heroes from Home host Tom Buttke helped lead the project with his sisters, Renie Rehmer and Cathy Tauschek.
The idea grew from a cemetery visit, when they noticed that many veterans’ graves did not recognize their military service. That visit inspired an effort to give those veterans a lasting tribute.
Volunteers, brat-fry fundraisers, grants, and community donations helped make the project possible. Donations for the project are handled by the Marshfield Area Community Foundation.
Donation Information ↗Visitor information: Visit Marshfield · City Parks and Recreation
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Contact Marshfield Broadcasting about sharing a veteran’s story on Heroes from Home.
