Mission 117-A

Turning 100: Charlie Willmann

About:  Charles Julius Willmann, Sr. was born on March 31, 1925. He grew up on his family's farm on FM 466 in Seguin, Texas.

Charlie graduated from Seguin High School in 1942 and attended Texas A&M College. He started studying Agriculture Education but had to pause his education to serve in World War II. He enlisted in the United States Navy on May 22, 1943. The Navy enrolled him in the V-12 Training Program at North Texas Agricultural College, where he met Patricia Ruth Oswalt. Charlie remembers, “We went out for six months if that long. Then, we ran off and got married. I was 19, and Patty was 18. We got married in Rockwall, Texas, without telling anyone. We had a church wedding too because our parents didn’t know.”

Charlie served active duty from November 1, 1943, to April 25, 1946, as a Communications Officer on the USS Tappahannock. After returning from the Navy, he completed his degree in Agriculture Administration at Texas A&M and is proud to be a member of the Class of ’46.

Charlie worked for Sears Roebuck in various positions and retired in 1980 as a store manager. He and Patty then moved back to Seguin and joined his sister and her husband in running the family farm. They raised cattle and won awards for their pecans. The farm is still active and remains in the family; Charlie likes to stay updated on the farm activities.

He served as Guadalupe County Commissioner and later as County Judge.

Charlie believes that “if you are going to do something, you need to do it right.” When he commits to something, he gives it his all and is never afraid to express his commitment.

Birthday:  March 31

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  March 31

Mailing Address: 

Charlie Willmann

Argent Court – Room 309

953 S Hwy 123 Bypass

Seguin, TX 78155

Mission 117-B

Turning 77: Leslie W. Benson

About: Born in Wisconsin on April 20, 1948. Joined the Army and served in Vietnam in 1968. Was there during the TET Offensive. Came home on Christmas Day. Finished out his service in Germany andRetired from the Division of Motor Vehicles, State of Wisconsin, at 55 years old. He is enjoying retirement with his wife, Janet, in Virginia. They travel to Myrtle Beach several times during the year and enjoy day trips. He is very proud of his daughter and son, and his two grandsons. He likes to cook, has a great sense of humor and started making key chains , along with his wife, for Vietnam Veterans, that he loves handing out to his "brothers/sisters" when he sees them out and about.

Les enjoys fishing, hunting and camping. He also enjoys attending the Honor Flight send offs from the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.

Birthday: April 20th

Send your cards to arrive on or before:  April 20th

Mailing Address: 

Leslie W. Benson

1157 Headens Bridge Road

Bedford, VA 24523

Mission 114-B

Jigg's 99th

As you can see from the photo, your army of senders did another great job of bringing great joy to a treasured member of our family, thank you and your elves for a job well done. God willing we will do this once more for his 100th birthday and hopefully have many of our relatives there to celebrate a truly historic event. To our knowledge, no one in our family tree has ever reached the century mark, he would be the first. Thanks again for your incredible work, it has really touched our family in a special way. You take care, keep up the great work, and tell Phlash Phelps that  Pete and Debby from Ohio said hi. Regards, Pete

Mission 115-B

George Plunkett's 72nd

Thank you to all who sent George cards. He was so surprised with all this outpouring of love and support from all his years of service. 257 pieces of it. You made his birthday month very special, and his mail carriers, too. She asked what the special occasion was - there were so many cards.

Mission 115-C

Ruth Blake's 100th

Hello and thank you for requesting cards for the 100th birthday of Ruth Blake: Navy Veteran of WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars. Between your team, DAR chapters across the country and her church, Ruth received about 350 cards! She was overwhelmed and says: 'Thank you to everyone who remembered me with birthday greetings, there so many cards it was hard to take a picture of them all.' Thanks to Janine's Team member Verne Baker, Ruth also received the Military Women's Memorial Living Legend Proclamation.

Short Notice Facebook Mission

Gary Wright Encouragement

We held the presentation of the Veterans Last Patrol plaques and the cards from Janine’s Team. We did have a large group of his friends and fellow vets present with his wife, daughter, 3 church members, 4 model train club members, David Lyons and two other vets from Vietnam Veterans Assoc. Gary’s room was full for sure. Gary, his family & friends were all overwhelmed with emotion from the love shown by Your groups. Gary has received over 100 cards so far. 

This visit accomplished exactly what I wanted, it lifted his spirits and brought him out of his doldrums. I am told Gary talked to everyone nonstop for 3+ hours, normally we were lucky to get him to talk for 30 minutes.Gary’s health is improving. After 4 months being fed through a tube, 

Gary is scheduled to start eating today! His heath has improved enough that the Doctors are looking for a rehab center closer to us to transfer him to.

Thank you for all you did to help my friend. Gary’s wife called me last night and told me that if she had a million dollars, she would give it to me for what I did for Gary. If I got the million dollars, I would send it to both of you!!"

Thank you to Veteran Last Patrol and all your priceless volunteers for showing up for our vets."

Mission 115-A

Frank Thompson's 86th

Thank you Janine for all you do to make our veteran’s birthday special.

Since this was a surprise (at least for the first 50 cards anyway) Frank kept asking,” who are these people that I don’t know and from places in the United States that I have never visited, sending ME a birthday card.”

As the cards rolled in (218), Frank was over-the-top honored and appreciated all the thoughtful notes written in the cards. Thanks to all of you for making his 86th birthday extra special! This picture and smile capture his feeling!

Mission 114-A

Eugene Chap Chappell's 80th

As of last Saturday, he has received 156 cards and one birthday postcard. Because of the snow in the Washington, DC area we did not receive any mail today. There may still be a few more. He was quite surprised at the number of caring generous people who took the time to send him cards. It certainly brightened his day. He came home from the rehab center yesterday. Thank you so very much for doing this for him and for all the effort you put into doing this for so many others

Mission 113-A

David Nelson's 78th

The cards have finally stopped coming, so I believe this mission is complete! David was very surprised...and touched at this little event. David and our daughters enjoyed opening some of the cards while he was in Texas, the remaining ones went back to California with him. Thanks to all of you who helped make this happen.