White Lake in Aurora County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

White Lake Memorial Plaza

April 19, 2025

1. White Lake Memorial Plaza Pavers

Inscription.

White Lake Memorial Plaza. . , White Lake Centennial Plaque: , This plaque we erected and dedicated the summer of 1984 to commemorate the founding of White Lake, S.D. in 1882., White Lake has an interesting background of former communities namely, Siding 36, Windsor, Yorktown and finally White Lake. Our centennial celebration of July 1982 was a tribute to the men and women who suffered many hardships to tame this virgin soil that succeeding generations might enjoy and benefit from the fruits of their labors. This plaque represents one hundred years of growth and our pledge to continue their ideals., Centennial Committee of 1982, Altitude Record Commemorative Tablet: , To commemorate the establishing, by balloon ascension, of the worlds altitude record of 72,000 feet made by Capt. Orvil A. Anderson and Capt. Albert W. Stevens who landed at White Lake, South Dakota November 11, 1935, The ascension was sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Army Air Corps, This tablet was erected by the White Lake Chamber of Commerce , H. M. Mueller, Pres., Churches Memorial Bench and Pavers: , St. Peter's Catholic Church Est. 1883 , Trinity Lutheran Church Est. 1955 , Underwood United Methodist Church 1906–2006 , United Methodist Presbyterian Church Est. 1882 United 1965, Fr. Arnold Petrosky TOR · St. Peter's Altar Society · Christian Mothers · Lutheran Women Trinity LWML · McBride 1963-70 Rev. Bob and Elsie, Pioneer Memorial: , Dedicated to the homesteaders and pioneers who endured the hardships of the new beginnings on the South Dakota prairie , Quasquicentennial 2007, Veterans Memorial and Pavers (by row): , To the men and women who served... we are forever grateful , American Legion · American Legion Auxiliary, Civil War , Edward Madden · Andres Hall · Samuel Lucas · M.E. Williams , Matthew Trewhella · John A. Wannamaker · Andrew Hanks · Moses Braumbaugh · George Williams · John Hanten , G.S. Rogers · George Severson · Jacob Fenner · Benjamin Flahart · Joseph Kinsman · Lyman Harkness · Clinton Lloyd, Sr. , John Tovey · Luther Colvin · John Wagner · G.C. Sanger · C.A. Getty · William S. Hooper · S.S. Martin, Spanish American War , Robert Pinkerton · James Rush · Wallace Woodward · E.V. Niles · Nick Duster, World War I , Roy Baumgartner · Anton Messer · Joe Anderson · Charles Graham · Dan Schilling · Peter Wolf · Paul Breeding · John Altman · Nick Hoffman · Eugene A. Griffen · Fred Beutner · Louis Bogenhagen · Logan Getty · William J. Dethlefsen · Leonard Scott · Mike Weires · George Dahlenburg · Roy Sackett · Nick Goeres , Tracy Harvison · Mike Hoffman · Adolph Satter · Pete Brack · Ben Hutchinson · Peter Gillen · Mike Gilbertz · John P. Gilbertz · Joe Haines US Army SGT. · Frank Krell Army · William Gales · Herbert Glissendorf · Henry Unruh US Army · Anton Messer Medical Unit · Lee Dodds Army · Elmer Ehlers Army PVT · John Johnson · George W. Nightingale · George Braumbaugh · Herman Satter · Jack Nowotny , Peter Dockendorf · Matt Schleder · Joseph Anton · Barrett Dolliver · Jake Gillen PVT US Army · Carl Wulf · John Williams · John M. Weires Wagoner 1917-19 · Joe Kieffer Army 1917-1919 · Ellis Jensen Navy · Edward Yort US 3474166 18-19 · Grover C. Miller Army Infantry · Anton Joe US Army · John P. Mohnen · D. W. Bosworth · Aggie Meier · Fred Meier · Nick Steichen · Clinton Lloyd · Almon Byrum · John B. Hanten, World War II , Herman Burg · Alfred Hettinger · Rexford Chelstrom · Carl N. Reinesch T SGT US Army · Victor Reinesch TEC 4 US Army · Carl Bogenhagen Army · Natalie Nelson · Frank McCormick · Leslie G Scott AAF · Leo Gales · George Gales · Frank Gales · Albert Getty · Donn Wright 1940-1945 Army · Jack May · Orville Haines US Army 1946-48 · Barney Miller Navy Radioman · Ervin Keller US Army , Ambrose F. Martin · Del Farrell US Army · Leonard Kieffer Army 1940-44 · Claire Johnson US Army · Bryan Baughman · Oliver Thompson · Edw. P Moeller 33rd Inf. Div. · Edward S. Gillen Army Capt. · Eldon Gieseman ARM2 US Navy · John Johnson · Holger Hansen · Ed Hanten · Francis Dunn · Bernard Hoffman US Army 1946-52 · Glenn Evans Army · Jerome Peters · Alwin Peters , Charles F. Schone PFC USMC 2nd Arm · Russell Dodds Army · Lawrence Kluthe · True Beutner · Don Reeves Seabees 1944-45 · Cecil J. Moeller Spec. 4 · Alfred Teeslink · Martin Gillen PVC Mil. Police · Wenzel G. Huebl · Carl Markhardt · Hank Schuldt · Alfred Schribner · Willie Combs Army Air 1942-46 · Andrew Niles · Wilcey Nowotny US Army · Jess Stone · Herman Korthals Army 1943-46 · Howard Herrick , Orville Hengen 2nd Armored Div. · Perry G. Tripp Army Air Corps · John B. Tripp US Marine Corps · Paul Meier USN EM3 CB 1944-46 · Charles Meier Sgt. US Army 1946-49 · Kermit Meier SSgt US Army 1941-45 · Lawrence Hettinger 1946-47 Army · Johns Hanks US Navy · Merle Markhardt Navy 1942-45 · Edwin Kristensen · Nels Kristensen US Army 1941-46 · Kenneth Krell US Army · Gladys Krell US Army · Herbert Steffen Air Force · Jack Schuman US Army · Fredericksen Eugene Navy · Elmer E. Steffen US Navy 1942-45 · Holzhauser Raymond US Army · John D. Wilson US Army 1942-45 , Robert Maxwell US Army · Mason Korthals US Army · Howard Morrison USAF B17-B29, Korean War , Patrick J. Thiry US Army 1955-57 · Leland (Speck) Glissendorf · Marvin Steffer Marines · Audrey Colvin US Army 1953-55 · Norbert Gillen CPL US Army · Donald Gillen Air Force · Markhardt Eugene US Army · Markhardt Earl G. US Army · Elmer Bogenhagen · Jack Schuman Navy · Darrel (Bud) Glissendorf · Glissendorf Wayne 1953-1955 · Leland (Speck) Glissendorf · Lewis Mosemann Corp Calvary · Lester Konechne US Marine Corps · Allen Bosworth Army 1952-54 · Warren L Dodds Army , Robert Suelflow 1951-1954 · John Henderson US Navy 1953-73 · Charles Hoffman US Army · Lawrence Cosand · Carl W Fuhr Army 1956-1958 · Leonard Hanten Air Force · Nick Hanten Jr. · Anthony Hanten Airforce 1950-53 · Francis Nelson US Army 1952-54 · Myrle Nelson · Roland L Hauge 159FABN 1952-54 · Sylvester Thiry Army 1951-52 · Theodore F Meier · Clarence Peters Army · Lawrence Steichen , Richard Kroupa Army 1953-1955 · Beckman Donald US Army 1953-55 · Beckman Anthony US Army 1951-53 · Jim Smith · Lilburn Peters Army 1948-51 · Orlyn Meier US Army 1949-51 · Jim Meier USAAF SSGT 1945-47 · Ralph Meier Army 1950-1953 · Ted Schone · Robert Bogenhagen USAF · Don Weires US Army Cpl · Elmer Weires · F. Schoenfelder Army Cpl · Clark Hilton 1955-1957 · Donald Roth · Bernard Krumvieda · Joe Isakson · Jack Hagerty Army Corp. 53-55 , Ron Messer US Army · Andy J Vissia USAF 1957-61 · Alfred Koch Navy 1951-55 · Bob Kristensen US Army Korea · Alfred (Ike) Wells Marines · CPL Ruth Kinser Reuland-1950-53 · Frank Schilling Army Navy AF 47-70, Vietnam War , Lance Lawver · Ralph Murphey · Dennis M. Martin · Brent Range · Richard Harten US Army · Mark Gillen Army 1972-75 · Leslie E. Jensen 118th Av 63-64 · Arthur Bogenhagen · John Kieffer 82nd Airborne · Richard Kieffer USAF 1966-70 · Joyce (Kieffer) Henderson USN · Terry Steffen Air Force · Dick Markhardt Navy 1966-70 · Rich Krumvieda · Monte Spinar SGT E5 1961-1964 · Rick Gieseman SP4 US Army , Harold C. Falk Col USAF 59-85 · Robert Letcher · Joseph Dodds Marines · Wayne Dodds Army · Frances Steichen · Wayne A Ehlers Army CW4 · Lyle Hanks US Army 1973-76 · Darrel Wait US Army · Dan Cudmore Jr US Navy · Tim P. Herrlein 82nd Airborne · Bill and Larry Schuman Army · Kenny and Jim Schuman Army · Theodore Olson · David Nelson · Richard McQueen 11ACBBC66-67 · Edward E. Yort RA 17550356 59-62 · Gary Peters · Wilson Jack Marines 1969-72 , Don Fredericksen USAF 1966-1969 · Tommy Whittecar USAF USN · Robert L. Kroupa 1st Lt. Army · Reinesch Ken L. USMC 1966-1971 · Johnnie Niles US Navy 1964-68 · Fredericksen Don Air Force · Holzhauser Gerald US Army · David F. Hengen 82nd Airborne · O.J. Hengen Jr. 82nd Airborne · Eldon Peters USAF 1961-1965, Post Vietnam , Wm. Borgmann Col USAF 83-08 · Eliot Hanks US Marines · Rocky A. Hauge MSGT USAF 86-07 · Nuclear Weapons Specialist , Joseph E Anderson E-7 USAF 1973-93 · Joel Reinesch USMC 2002-06 Iraq · Doug L. Steffen US Navy 1983-87 · Bruce D. Steffen US Navy 1980-84

White Lake Centennial Plaque:
This plaque we erected and dedicated the summer of 1984 to commemorate the founding of White Lake, S.D. in 1882.

White Lake has an interesting background of former communities namely, Siding 36, Windsor, Yorktown and finally White Lake. Our centennial celebration of July 1982 was a tribute to the men and women who suffered many hardships to tame this virgin soil that succeeding generations might enjoy and benefit from the fruits of their labors. This plaque represents one hundred years of growth and our pledge to continue their ideals.

Centennial Committee of 1982

Altitude Record Commemorative Tablet:
To commemorate the establishing, by balloon ascension, of the worlds altitude record of 72,000 feet made by Capt. Orvil A. Anderson and Capt. Albert W. Stevens who landed at White Lake, South Dakota November 11, 1935

The ascension was sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Army Air Corps

This tablet was erected by the White Lake Chamber of Commerce
H. M. Mueller, Pres.

Churches Memorial Bench & Pavers:
St. Peter's Catholic Church Est. 1883
Trinity Lutheran Church Est. 1955
Underwood United Methodist Church 1906–2006
United Methodist Presbyterian Church Est.

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1882 United 1965

Fr. Arnold Petrosky TOR · St. Peter's Altar Society · Christian Mothers · Lutheran Women Trinity LWML · McBride 1963-70 Rev. Bob & Elsie

Pioneer Memorial:
Dedicated to the homesteaders and pioneers who endured the hardships of the new beginnings on the South Dakota prairie
Quasquicentennial 2007

Veterans Memorial & Pavers (by row):
To the men and women who served... we are forever grateful
American Legion · American Legion Auxiliary

Civil War
Edward Madden · Andres Hall · Samuel Lucas · M.E. Williams
Matthew Trewhella · John A. Wannamaker · Andrew Hanks · Moses Braumbaugh · George Williams · John Hanten
G.S. Rogers · George Severson · Jacob Fenner · Benjamin Flahart · Joseph Kinsman · Lyman Harkness · Clinton Lloyd, Sr.
John Tovey · Luther Colvin · John Wagner · G.C. Sanger · C.A. Getty · William S. Hooper · S.S. Martin

Spanish American War
Robert Pinkerton · James Rush · Wallace Woodward · E.V. Niles · Nick Duster

World War I
Roy Baumgartner · Anton Messer · Joe Anderson · Charles Graham · Dan Schilling · Peter Wolf · Paul Breeding · John Altman · Nick Hoffman · Eugene A. Griffen · Fred Beutner · Louis Bogenhagen · Logan

White Lake Centennial Plaque image. Click for full size.

April 19, 2025

2. White Lake Centennial Plaque

Getty · William J. Dethlefsen · Leonard Scott · Mike Weires · George Dahlenburg · Roy Sackett · Nick Goeres
Tracy Harvison · Mike Hoffman · Adolph Satter · Pete Brack · Ben Hutchinson · Peter Gillen · Mike Gilbertz · John P. Gilbertz · Joe Haines US Army SGT. · Frank Krell Army · William Gales · Herbert Glissendorf · Henry Unruh US Army · Anton Messer Medical Unit · Lee Dodds Army · Elmer Ehlers Army PVT · John Johnson · George W. Nightingale · George Braumbaugh · Herman Satter · Jack Nowotny
Peter Dockendorf · Matt Schleder · Joseph Anton · Barrett Dolliver · Jake Gillen PVT US Army · Carl Wulf · John Williams · John M. Weires Wagoner 1917-19 · Joe Kieffer Army 1917-1919 · Ellis Jensen Navy · Edward Yort US 3474166 18-19 · Grover C. Miller Army Infantry · Anton Joe US Army · John P. Mohnen · D. W. Bosworth · Aggie Meier · Fred Meier · Nick Steichen · Clinton Lloyd · Almon Byrum · John B. Hanten

World War II
Herman Burg · Alfred Hettinger · Rexford Chelstrom · Carl N. Reinesch T SGT US Army · Victor Reinesch TEC 4 US Army · Carl Bogenhagen Army · Natalie Nelson · Frank McCormick · Leslie G Scott AAF · Leo Gales · George Gales · Frank Gales · Albert Getty · Donn Wright 1940-1945 Army · Jack May · Orville Haines US Army 1946-48

Altitude Record Commemorative Tablet image. Click for full size.

April 19, 2025

3. Altitude Record Commemorative Tablet

· Barney Miller Navy Radioman · Ervin Keller US Army
Ambrose F. Martin · Del Farrell US Army · Leonard Kieffer Army 1940-44 · Claire Johnson US Army · Bryan Baughman · Oliver Thompson · Edw. P Moeller 33rd Inf. Div. · Edward S. Gillen Army Capt. · Eldon Gieseman ARM2 US Navy · John Johnson · Holger Hansen · Ed Hanten · Francis Dunn · Bernard Hoffman US Army 1946-52 · Glenn Evans Army · Jerome Peters · Alwin Peters
Charles F. Schone PFC USMC 2nd Arm · Russell Dodds Army · Lawrence Kluthe · True Beutner · Don Reeves Seabees 1944-45 · Cecil J. Moeller Spec. 4 · Alfred Teeslink · Martin Gillen PVC Mil. Police · Wenzel G. Huebl · Carl Markhardt · Hank Schuldt · Alfred Schribner · Willie Combs Army Air 1942-46 · Andrew Niles · Wilcey Nowotny US Army · Jess Stone · Herman Korthals Army 1943-46 · Howard Herrick
Orville Hengen 2nd Armored Div. · Perry G. Tripp Army Air Corps · John B. Tripp US Marine Corps · Paul Meier USN EM3 CB 1944-46 · Charles Meier Sgt. US Army 1946-49 · Kermit Meier SSgt US Army 1941-45 · Lawrence Hettinger 1946-47 Army · Johns Hanks US Navy · Merle Markhardt Navy 1942-45 · Edwin Kristensen · Nels Kristensen US Army 1941-46 · Kenneth Krell US Army · Gladys Krell US Army · Herbert Steffen Air Force · Jack Schuman US Army · Fredericksen Eugene Navy

Churches Memorial Bench & Pavers image. Click for full size.

April 19, 2025

4. Churches Memorial Bench & Pavers

· Elmer E. Steffen US Navy 1942-45 · Holzhauser Raymond US Army · John D. Wilson US Army 1942-45
Robert Maxwell US Army · Mason Korthals US Army · Howard Morrison USAF B17-B29

Korean War
Patrick J. Thiry US Army 1955-57 · Leland (Speck) Glissendorf · Marvin Steffer Marines · Audrey Colvin US Army 1953-55 · Norbert Gillen CPL US Army · Donald Gillen Air Force · Markhardt Eugene US Army · Markhardt Earl G. US Army · Elmer Bogenhagen · Jack Schuman Navy · Darrel (Bud) Glissendorf · Glissendorf Wayne 1953-1955 · Leland (Speck) Glissendorf · Lewis Mosemann Corp Calvary · Lester Konechne US Marine Corps · Allen Bosworth Army 1952-54 · Warren L Dodds Army
Robert Suelflow 1951-1954 · John Henderson US Navy 1953-73 · Charles Hoffman US Army · Lawrence Cosand · Carl W Fuhr Army 1956-1958 · Leonard Hanten Air Force · Nick Hanten Jr. · Anthony Hanten Airforce 1950-53 · Francis Nelson US Army 1952-54 · Myrle Nelson · Roland L Hauge 159FABN 1952-54 · Sylvester Thiry Army 1951-52 · Theodore F Meier · Clarence Peters Army · Lawrence Steichen
Richard Kroupa Army 1953-1955 · Beckman Donald US Army 1953-55 · Beckman Anthony US Army 1951-53 · Jim Smith · Lilburn Peters Army 1948-51 · Orlyn Meier US Army 1949-51 · Jim Meier USAAF SSGT 1945-47 · Ralph Meier Army 1950-1953

Pioneer Memorial image. Click for full size.

April 19, 2025

5. Pioneer Memorial

· Ted Schone · Robert Bogenhagen USAF · Don Weires US Army Cpl · Elmer Weires · F. Schoenfelder Army Cpl · Clark Hilton 1955-1957 · Donald Roth · Bernard Krumvieda · Joe Isakson · Jack Hagerty Army Corp. 53-55
Ron Messer US Army · Andy J Vissia USAF 1957-61 · Alfred Koch Navy 1951-55 · Bob Kristensen US Army Korea · Alfred (Ike) Wells Marines · CPL Ruth Kinser Reuland-1950-53 · Frank Schilling Army Navy AF 47-70

Vietnam War
Lance Lawver · Ralph Murphey · Dennis M. Martin · Brent Range · Richard Harten US Army · Mark Gillen Army 1972-75 · Leslie E. Jensen 118th Av 63-64 · Arthur Bogenhagen · John Kieffer 82nd Airborne · Richard Kieffer USAF 1966-70 · Joyce (Kieffer) Henderson USN · Terry Steffen Air Force · Dick Markhardt Navy 1966-70 · Rich Krumvieda · Monte Spinar SGT E5 1961-1964 · Rick Gieseman SP4 US Army
Harold C. Falk Col USAF 59-85 · Robert Letcher · Joseph Dodds Marines · Wayne Dodds Army · Frances Steichen · Wayne A Ehlers Army CW4 · Lyle Hanks US Army 1973-76 · Darrel Wait US Army · Dan Cudmore Jr US Navy · Tim P. Herrlein 82nd Airborne · Bill & Larry Schuman Army · Kenny & Jim Schuman Army · Theodore Olson · David Nelson · Richard McQueen 11ACBBC66-67 · Edward E. Yort RA 17550356 59-62 · Gary Peters · Wilson Jack Marines 1969-72
Don

Veterans Memorial image. Click for full size.

April 19, 2025

6. Veterans Memorial

Fredericksen USAF 1966-1969 · Tommy Whittecar USAF USN · Robert L. Kroupa 1st Lt. Army · Reinesch Ken L. USMC 1966-1971 · Johnnie Niles US Navy 1964-68 · Fredericksen Don Air Force · Holzhauser Gerald US Army · David F. Hengen 82nd Airborne · O.J. Hengen Jr. 82nd Airborne · Eldon Peters USAF 1961-1965

Post Vietnam
Wm. Borgmann Col USAF 83-08 · Eliot Hanks US Marines · Rocky A. Hauge MSGT USAF 86-07 · Nuclear Weapons Specialist
Joseph E Anderson E-7 USAF 1973-93 · Joel Reinesch USMC 2002-06 Iraq · Doug L. Steffen US Navy 1983-87 · Bruce D. Steffen US Navy 1980-84

Erected 2011.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 1935.

Location. 43° 43.83′ N, 98° 42.847′ W. Memorial is in White Lake, South Dakota, in Aurora County. It is at the intersection of Division Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Division Street. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: White Lake SD 57383, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in East River

and specifically in the James River Valley.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Purple Heart Memorial Highway (approx. 5.1 miles away); Stratosphere Balloon Landing

Civil War Veteran Pavers image. Click for full size.

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7. Civil War Veteran Pavers

(approx. 13 miles away).

Spanish American War Veteran Pavers image. Click for full size.

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8. Spanish American War Veteran Pavers

World War I Veteran Pavers 1 image. Click for full size.

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9. World War I Veteran Pavers 1

World War I Veteran Pavers 2 image. Click for full size.

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10. World War I Veteran Pavers 2

World War I Veteran Pavers 3 image. Click for full size.

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11. World War I Veteran Pavers 3

World War I Veteran Pavers 4 image. Click for full size.

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12. World War I Veteran Pavers 4

World War II Veteran Pavers 1 image. Click for full size.

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13. World War II Veteran Pavers 1

World War II Veteran Pavers 2 image. Click for full size.

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14. World War II Veteran Pavers 2

World War II Veteran Pavers 3 image. Click for full size.

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15. World War II Veteran Pavers 3

World War II Veteran Pavers 4 image. Click for full size.

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16. World War II Veteran Pavers 4

Korean War Veteran Pavers 1 image. Click for full size.

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17. Korean War Veteran Pavers 1

Korean War Veteran Pavers 2 image. Click for full size.

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18. Korean War Veteran Pavers 2

Korean War Veteran Pavers 3 image. Click for full size.

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19. Korean War Veteran Pavers 3

Korean War Veteran Pavers 4 image. Click for full size.

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20. Korean War Veteran Pavers 4

Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 1 image. Click for full size.

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21. Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 1

Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 2 / Post Vietnam Veteran Pavers 1 image. Click for full size.

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22. Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 2 / Post Vietnam Veteran Pavers 1

Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 3 / Post Vietnam Veteran Pavers 2 image. Click for full size.

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23. Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 3 / Post Vietnam Veteran Pavers 2

Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 4 image. Click for full size.

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24. Vietnam War Veteran Pavers 4

White Lake Memorial Plaza image. Click for full size.

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25. White Lake Memorial Plaza

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26. White Lake Memorial Plaza

Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2025. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 26, 2025. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. submitted on May 28, 2025.