THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your cousin Jermitt is poignant and reflects his admiration and respect for you.As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Lanny Krage was just 20 years old when he was killed in Vietnam, April 21, 1967. He was known as a quiet kid, who excelled in basketball while in high school. Kim Buntrock, a friend who was younger than Lanny said he remembered Lanny as a much bigger kid, but one who always included him when participating in various activities. Kim said, “He would always take time to toss a football or participate in some activity I thought was cool because he did it with me”.
A neighbor said Lanny was always helpful to him and others whenever there was snow to be shoveled, or grass to be cut. My mother shared similar experiences. She said, Lanny was a tag-along. He enjoyed helping her in the garden from the time the first seed was planted until the beans, tomatoes, and potatoes were harvested. She along with many other friends and relatives were devastated when informed he was killed while serving as a Lance Corporate in the Marines. Apparently, his Marines unit came under enemy fire that resulted in Lanny and 43 of this military colleague’s death on that fretful day.
Lanny would join me and his dad on the Columbia tennis court while I was going to Northern State Teachers College studying to be a teacher. Lanny was a good athlete who completed well in almost any sport even though he was a very young teenager. He insisted on enlisting in the Marines even though his dad, Emil Krage, and I tried to persuade him not to do so. But Lanny insisted on serving his county as dad did during World War II. Emil was severely wounded when serving with the United States Fifth Army in Italy and was partially disabled when he was shot in his right arm and shoulder by a German enemy machine gun.
On this Memorial Day in the year 2021, I would like all who knew Lanny and others who have given their life for this county will remember the sacrifices Lanny and others have made. Let us hope our Democracy will always be sustained even from the internal attacks by some of our neighbors and some of our politicians, attacks that continue yet today.
Please visit The Virtual Wall - The Vietnam War Memorial while in Washington D.C. and see the name of thousands of veterans, including Lanny who have given their lives for this country.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Lanny worked for my dad on the farm by Daly corner, northeast of Columbia, when I was in grade school and was like a big brother. He always had time for that little kid that was under his feet. I have a lot of great memories of him and I miss his kindness.

An older Columbia, South Dakota neighborhood boy. He lived a short three blocks away from my home. I remember the quiet devastation demonstrated by the community, particularly his parents, upon this casualty. What s tragic loss.