Ho-Chunk Veterans Service Officer Margaret “Muggs” Garvin wants to honor all Ho-Chunk veterans by listing them in a published registry
Her idea came from a similar veteran registry in Jackson County, which lists all the veterans of the county, along with their pictures, in bound books.
Now she hopes to do the same for all Ho-Chunk veterans.
“The purpose of the Ho-Chunk veteran’s registry is to help preserve the memories of the past, present and future veterans with Ho-Chunk ancestry,” Garvin said.
“While collecting information from the living veterans and families, the Division of Veterans Affairs will be able offer services which will help the veterans obtain their benefits,” she said.
Garvin plans to run some of the biographies in the Hocak Worak to highlight their service to the country and to provide examples for other veterans so that they can summit their information.
There will be a cash drawing of $300, $200 and $100 after the first 200 stories have been collected. Veterans can either write their own stories, or come in the office to provide information so that Garvin can write the biographies.
Ho-Chunk veterans are urged to contact Garvin at (715) 284-9343 extension 1354.
Kathy Ann (Stacy) DeCamp was born on October 22, 1959 in Mauston, WI to Martin and Caroline (Whitewing) Stacy. Kathy is the granddaughter of “Mountain Wolf Woman” – Stella Blowsnake Stacy. Her father Martin Stacy hailed from the Black River Falls area and grew up in the Indian Mission. Her mother Caroline was from the Wittenberg area.
Kathy joined the United States Army in July 1980 and was discharged December 1989. Kathy attended AIT at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN. She was a 71D, then a 73C. She was a stenographer but eventually switched to a Finance and Accounting Specialist. She served during the Grenada conflict. While on active duty she was stationed in Korea and Germany.
Kathy also served in the Army National Guard immediately following her active duty time, which makes her total service time 12 years. Kathy was discharged from the US Army as an SGT (E-5) in December of 1989, and later discharged from the Army National Guard as an SSG (E-6) January 1992.
The most enjoyable time in the military for her was visiting Camp Red Cloud while in Korea, and she also enjoyed traveling around the world. She stated, “If given the opportunity, I wouldn’t change a thing and I highly recommend our young people join the military service.”
She married Darwin DeCamp and now lives in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Doug Greengrass was born on January 10, 1945 in Black River Falls, WI to Henry and Melinda Greengrass.
He joined the United States Marine Corps on October 17, 1963. He went to MCRD San Diego, CA. His MOS was: 2336. He was stationed several places to include: Camp Pendleton, CA, Quantico, VA, Okinawa Japan, to Vietnam. He came returned to the United States and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. While in the Marine Corps he was aboard several different US Navy ships (17 total) and was able to make a Mediterranean Cruise and a Caribbean Cruise, then he was sent back to Vietnam.
Before being discharged he was awarded the Bronze Star. Doug was discharged as a Sgt (E-5) from USMCAS El Toro, Santa Ana, CA, and returned back to Wisconsin. He lived in Black River Falls, Milwaukee and currently lives in Black River Falls, WI.
He is the father to 4 children, 2 daughters and 2 sons.
Robert Anthony Mudd (RAM) was born on November 11, 1948 in Black River Falls, WI. His parents were Ben and Ethelene Free Youngthunder.
He joined the United States Army on September 30, 1966. He was only 17 when he joined. Since he was only 17 his parents signed for him to join. He didn’t like school very much and wanted to join the armed forces. His dad was a major influence on this decision since he served in both WWII and Korea.
Robert was a paratrooper and served with the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles). He did a tour and a half in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Robert was discharged on June 12, 1969. He extended 6 months to get an early out of the service.
He has three children: the twins – Robert and Roxanne and Alexander.
He lives in the Indian Mission - Black River Falls, WI.