THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Sally Ruch Schipper is moving and reflects the anguish experienced by so many who lost loved ones in this war. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Thinking of you tonight uncle Roger.

You are my cousin,I remember when you visited my family on the farm.I never
Imagined I would not see you again.

always remembered and truly missed by the Kostka boys-Rock,Brier,and Hunter, and my little girl Bailey.

Roger was born on April 11, 1950 in Algoma, WI to William and Mary Kostka (formerly Lukes). He was their fifth child and third son. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School where, among other things, he developed a passion for competitive marbles. He was a 1968 graduate of Algoma High School. He enjoyed fishing and hunting around Lake Michigan. He briefly worked at Algoma Plywood before being drafted into the Army in June 1969. Roger completed his basic training at Fort Knox, KY and his specialist training at Fort Sill, OK. After an early Thanksgiving celebration in Algoma, he was deployed to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division in November 1969. He was stationed at a fire support base in Los Banas when he was accidently shot in the neck by another individual at the base on June 1, 1970. It was ruled as a non-combat related death. He was survived by his parents, siblings, William, Jr. (Billy), Elaine, Ronald (Ronnie), Jeanne, and Judy. He was buried in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Algoma, WI on a hill with a view of Lake Michigan. I was five years old when he died and remember attending the funeral. He was my uncle.