{"id":23236,"date":"2023-08-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=23236"},"modified":"2023-08-16T06:40:59","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T06:40:59","slug":"hoekstra-legacy-honored-flag-flown-for-granddaughter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=23236","title":{"rendered":"Hoekstra legacy honored, flag flown for granddaughter"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>

\n
\n
\n In 1965, Hoekstra served as the post command sergeant major. Following a short illness, he died at age 46. In 1967, Southern European Task Force dedicated the parade field to Hoekstra, for his heroism, dedication to duty and exemplary service throughout his military career
\n (Photo Credit: Azurelyn Mathis, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, Intern Public Affairs)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

VICENZA, Italy \u2013 Service members at Caserma Ederle are likely familiar with Hoekstra Field, the parade ground that\u2019s the site of training and changes of command.<\/p>\n

However, few may know history and the man it\u2019s named after.<\/p>\n

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Melvin E. Hoekstra began his military career fighting in World War II with the 28th Infantry Division. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for heroic actions during the war. Hoekstra rose quickly through the ranks due to his dedication and perseverance during his military career. \u00a0He left behind a distinguished military legacy<\/p>\n

Many of his grandchildren followed his footsteps, serving in the U.S. military. One of them is U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Julia Pohl, who recently retired from the service.<\/p>\n

\u201cI originally wanted to do my final reenlistment at Hoekstra Field, but because of Covid, all travel was secured,\u201d Pohl said<\/p>\n

Other Hoekstra family members, to include Pohl\u2019s cousins, reenlisted and held other military ceremonies at Hoekstra Field. U.S. Army Garrison Italy helped Pohl make here retirement connected to her grandfather\u2019s service.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n \"Service
\n <\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n
\n
\n Service members at Caserma Ederle are familiar with Hoekstra Field, the parade ground that\u2019s the site of training and changes of command.
\n (Photo Credit: Azurelyn Mathis, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, Intern Public Affairs)<\/span>
\n <\/span>
\n VIEW ORIGINAL<\/a>
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Andrew Strouse, the garrison\u2019s casualty assistance officer, coordinated to have a U.S. flag flown over Hoekstra field and sent for her retirement ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt it was very important for us to do this. It was an easy thing to do that it would make such a great impact flying the flag over the field named after her grandfather\u201d, Strouse said<\/p>\n

In 1965, Hoekstra served as the post command sergeant major. Following a short illness, he died at age 46. In 1967, Southern European Task Force dedicated the parade field to Hoekstra, for his heroism, dedication to duty and exemplary service throughout his military career. The field stands as a commemorative inspiration to current and future Soldiers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate the garrison’s help in getting a flag flown at the field to be presented at my retirement ceremony,\u201d Pohl said. \u201cI am still hoping to come visit.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 1965, Hoekstra served as the post command sergeant major. Following a short illness, he died at age 46. In 1967, Southern European Task Force dedicated the parade field to Hoekstra, for his heroism, dedication to duty and exemplary service throughout his military career (Photo Credit: Azurelyn Mathis, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, Intern Public Affairs) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23238,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23236"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23241,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23236\/revisions\/23241"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}