Embarq is
pleased to announce four generations of dedicated military service will
serve as the 2008 parade Marshall for the Grand 'Ole Flag parade. Allow us
to introduce the Loethen family.
Harold L. “Bud” Loethen SR
Harold “Bud” Loethen of Meta, MO entered Military Service with the United
States Army on the 31st of August 1943 at Jefferson Barracks, MO
as a Private. After induction, he was transported by Military Transport
Train to Camp Fannin, Tyler, TX, an Infantry Training Center during World
War II. After completion of Infantry Training, he then shipped out to North
Africa, where he was assigned to Echo Company, 15th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. His assignment with the 3rd
Infantry Division, “ Rock of the Marne” gave him Battle and Campaign Credit
for ”Arno” and “Rome” in Italy; “Southern France”, as he landed on the
beaches of Cavalaire-sur-Mer (Part of the French Riviera) in “Operation
Dragoon”; the “Rhineland” and lastly the “Ardennes”. He was finally
mustered out of the Military on the 9th of October 1945 in Des
Moines, IA at the rank of Sergeant. He was wounded twice, earning him the
Purple Heart with Oak Leave Cluster.
Upon his return to the United States and Central Missouri, he married Mary
Ann Jaegers and they had 2 daughters and 5 sons. He returned to farming and
eventually became an Iron Worker, where he continued his service to the
Military by being part of the crews that built new barracks and other
buildings at Fort Leonard Wood. He is a member of the Argyle VFW Post 8045
and the American Legion. He is retired and enjoys his annual Elk Hunting
trips to Colorado, his family, and his horse.
MSG (Ret) Harold L. Loethen, JR
Harold L. Loethen, JR, the eldest son of Harold L. “Bud” Loethen of Meta, MO
joined the United States Army in August of 1967 and attended Basic Combat
Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. After completion of his initial training
in the administrative arena, he was then sent to Germany for a year. After
Germany, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO with the 5th
Engineer Battalion from 1969 to 1971. In 1971 he was then sent to Korea.
Upon returning to the United States in early 1973, he processed out of the
Active Army and 6 months later, enlisted into the Missouri Army National
Guard. He went to work full time for the Missouri Army National Guard in
late 1973 and in August 1982, was one of the original members of the AGR
(Active Guard/Reserve) program in the state. The majority of his service in
the Missouri Army National Guard was spent as the Non-Commissioned Officer
in Charge (NCOIC) of the Active Guard/Reserve Branch at the State
Headquarters. He served in the Missouri Army National Guard for 31 years,
achieving the rank of Master Sergeant (MSG), retiring in September 2004 with
over 37 years of military service.
His military career has taken him around the world to see and train in many
places, meet, learn from, and mentor many people. Since his retirement, he
enjoys spending time with his father, kids, and grandkids. He is a Life
Member of Roy Sone VFW Post 1003 and serves as the Service Officer and
Surgeon, and is also a member of the American Legion.
SFC Keith L. Loethen
Sergeant First Class Keith L. Loethen, of Jefferson City, MO, the only son
of MSG (Ret) Harold L. Loethen, JR, joined the Missouri Army National Guard
on 29 August 1988 in Maryville, MO as a Combat Signalman with HHB, 1/129th
Field Artillery. He received his Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC
and his Signal Training at Fort Gordon, GA. After returning from his
initial training, he was assigned to HHC, 635th Aviation Group
and then a subsequent transfer took him to the 175th Military
Police Battalion. While there he entered the AGR Program at the Missouri
Army National Guard Headquarter’s Personnel Service Branch located at the
Ike Skelton Training Site. During his AGR tenure, he has been assigned to
the 1438th Engineer Company; 220th Engineer Company;
HHD, 835th CSB; 1221st Transportation Company; and HHC,
835th CSSB while obtaining Personnel, Engineer, and
Transportation Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). He has worked in
Personnel, Training, Readiness, and Supply arenas. While being assigned to
the 220th Engineer Company, he deployed to Honduras in support of
Hurricane Mitch relief efforts, and while assigned to the 1221st
Transportation Company, mobilized and deployed to Iraq in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 until August 2004. While deployed
he served as the Company Operations NCO and was moved to the battalion
level, serving as the Support Operations Section Transportation NCOIC for
the 189th CSB, an active duty battalion out of Fort Bragg, NC.
Currently he serves as the Readiness NCO for HHC, 835th Combat
Sustainment Support Battalion in Jefferson City, MO . He is a Life Member
of Roy Sone VFW Post 1003 and serves as the Chaplain. During his time in
the VFW, he has served as the Surgeon, Adjutant, and Junior Vice Commander. He is married to Teresa (Otto) Loethen and between them they have 4 children
and 1 grandson. Ashley, Amber, Drew, and Dusty - Abraham (Grandson). He
likes to spend time with his family and enjoys golf.
SPC Ashley R. Distler
Specialist Ashley R. Distler, of Jefferson City, MO is the oldest daughter
by marriage
of SFC Keith L. Loethen and daughter of Allen M. Distler. She joined the Missouri Army National Guard as a
Food Service Specialist on the 15th of December 2005 while a
junior at Jefferson City High School. Between her Junior and Senior year,
she attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC. Upon completion of
her training she returned to Central Missouri and began her Senior Year of
High School. After graduating she attended Fort Lee, VA for her Advanced
Individual Training (AIT) as a Food Service Specialist.
Currently she is assigned to HHC, 835th Combat Sustainment
Support Battalion, Jefferson City, MO as a Food Service Specialist (Cook).
She works at Great Clips part-time and is also on Active Duty Special Work
orders for HHC, 835th CSSB perfoming Supply Arena functions. She
enjoys spending time with her son Abraham, family and friends and reading.
- Parade Rules & Entry Application
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It's easy to have
a float, band, groups or decorated vehicle in the parade. Find out all the
information you'll need to participate and download the PDF application
form. Hurry, the deadline is June 13th.
- Parade Route
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Plan out your best vantage point with a map of this year's route.
The parade will convene at the city parking lots on Adams and East Miller East Miller. The route will
encompass Monroe to High Street. West on High to Jefferson. South on Jefferson
Street to East Miller and back to the staging area.
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