In Remembrance of America’s Farmer Veterans
This memorial wall was created as a way for the Farmer Veteran Coalition community to honor departed Veterans by supporting the continuation of FVC’s mission in their name. It is our hope that this means of remembrance will allow the closure many seek in their grieving.
To honor a departed Farmer Veteran, please consider making a donation by clicking the button below and selecting ‘Farmer Veteran Memorial Wall’ from the dropdown menu. In the “Optional Comments’ section of the form, please provide us as much of the following information that you have available for your Veteran: name, rank, branch of service, dates of birth and death, and any additional details of 100 characters or less.
Thomas Patrick O’Gorman
December 5, 1915
April 20, 2016
World War II veteran who served in London during The Blitz and returned home to farm in California.
Matthew McCue
December 12, 1981
November 16, 2023
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Matt was the first Veteran member of FVC. He served in the infantry during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Matt was promoted to sergeant while in Iraq and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal of Valor. After the Army he joined the Peace Corps in Africa and later ran a successful Community Supported Agriculture farm in northern California. He will be remembered for his vibrant personality and willingness to help others.
William “Willy” Hines
August 11, 1959
December 28, 2023
Willy Hines, a native of New York City, joined the Navy in 1979. After completing radioman’s school, he became a Navy SEAL assigned to SEAL Team 2 in 1980. He left the service in 1987 and joined the Oregon National Guard, working in photo reconnaissance. He spent the bulk of his post-military career in agricultural field research in Oregon, North Carolina and California. He served as director of operations for FVC and was known for his calm and kind manner, and his willingness to help anyone.
Rodney Wells
July 26, 1955
December 8, 2020
Rodney Wells of Rancho de Rodney in Fresno, CA was U.S. Navy Command Master Chief/Chief of Boat. He served from 1973 to 2003 and passed in 2020 from his service related disability.
Lawrence Harvey Christensen
August 3, 1961
May 24, 2022
In memory of Lawrence “Larry” Harvey Christensen on behalf of Medecision employees.
George Eckerdt
March 20, 1917
July 12, 1990
SSG Eckerdt was a gunner on B-17 and B-24 bomber planes stationed in England during WWII. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, but would never discuss what he had done to earn it. He was born and grew up on a farm in Eastern Colorado and never forgot how to work hard.
Milo Shobe
Thomas Michael Hite
In honor of my father, COL Stephen F Kramarich OH ANG
DOD: 12/24/2020
In Honor of my father who served in the Korean War
Lawrence "Larry" Harvey Christensen
Richard Wiles
Clifford F. Kepple
In Honor of the service of Mr. Harry Shovlin of Falls Church, Virginia.
Larry Harvey Christensen
Gordon W. Mason
Captain Sarah Dachos
Troy D. Calder
Sierra Vista, Arizona
In Memory of my two grandfathers, John B. Watkins Sr. and Frank F. Ogden
Both were hard working farmers.
In Honor of Douglas Cowan "Papa" and Betty Potter Chancey
David Gardner
22 years of service and served in both Korea & Vietnam
Melvin Mold
A farm boy who served his country proudly. He returned home to farm, raised a family, and contributed heavily to his community. Dearly missed.
Amanda Cuda
Donation made in honor of COL Cuda’s retirement after 26 years of service as a Family Medicine physician.
In memory ofGeorge W. Cook
DOB 3/12/1926
DOD: 3/4/2025
George was a United States Navy veteran serving his country during WWII. He was also a retired heavy equipment operator and member of the United Mine Workers. George loved mowing his property with his Kubota tractor and driving his Kubota utility vehicle to check out the back 40 every day, even up until last year.
Butch Greene
DOS: 6/21/1966
DOD: 12/18/2024
My grandfather butch served as an infantryman in the United States Army during Vietnam. While serving in Vietnam he was wounded twice by shrapnel from explosions. To the day he died he still had shrapnel in his body. After receiving two Purple Hearts he returned to South Carolina and finished his contract out. He moved back home to Ballantine Montana where he met the farmers daughter and got married. He worked as a farmer till his body couldn’t do it anymore. He loved his John Deere tractors.
Ernest Ratzlaff
Glenn Norman
DOB: March 7, 1925
DOD: June 19, 2023
Glenn served in the U.S. Navy as a machinist mate during WWII. After returning from serving his country he began farming land his dad had purchased from C.W. Post in 1916 and he was still actively engaged in farming this land until his death. He drove his first tractor when he was 14 which replaced their mule team.