CARLSON

MARQUETTE — At 5:30 p.m. today, the Marquette County Veterans Alliance will bestow the title of Marquette County Veteran of the Year onto local Vietnam veteran Ray Carlson at American Legion Post 44. The public is welcome to attend.

Carlson served in the Navy reserves and went over to Vietnam from 1970-71. During this time, Carlson, along with 99 other Americans, were stationed on a small river outpost. They were tasked with repairing ships along with keeping a supply route for other military forces deeper in the jungle.

“I would be up guarding along the river with nothing but a .38 pistol,” said Carlson.

The small number of men on the base really made the soldiers get very close and form strong friendships. And luckily, Carlson and the other 99 servicemen with him were able to make it out of Vietnam without facing combat.

“We were one of the lucky ones, we weren’t on the frontlines like some of the other guys. We didn’t get into combat,” Carlson said. “Human beings aren’t made to handle all of that carnage.”

Being put on the same pedestal as other notable veterans, Carlson said he originally felt like he wasn’t worthy of earning the title of the Marquette County Veteran of the Year; but now he feels honored that he can accept it for those that didn’t make it out of Vietnam.

“I know so many of the past winners of this that are friends of mine, that even belong to this post, and I admire each one of them and each in their own ways justly deserve the honor they got,” said Carlson. “So to be included with them is an honor to me.”

It is no surprise that Carlson was picked, especially when looking at his lifelong work with the American Legion. Carlson said that his brother first introduced him to the organization when they got out of the war and he got involved with helping kids locally, becoming a coach of a baseball team and even leading them to an American Legion U.P. Championship. Eventually Carlson became involved with the finance committee in American Legion, and still continues to work there at the age of 73.

“We are getting out into the girl’s softball team now because they need some financial help so we are going to do what we can with them,” Carlson said.

To help support American Legion Post 44, they are holding a 50/50 raffle that currently has a pot over $1,000. Each ticket costs $2 and the raffle will be ending on Oct. 26.