By JILL FANKHAUSER
Alaska Star

Gordon Severson, 79, once served as a member of Gen. George Custer’s famously defeated Army cavalry - Company L, 7th Calvary Regime - during the Korea conflict in 1951.

Originally from Wisconsin, Severson came to Alaska seeking the spirit of adventure of the Last Frontier in the late 1940s. He worked on the Seward Highway and once the construction season ended in late 1950, he joined up with the 7th Calvary.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9785 Commander Kurt Mueller receives his honorable service medal from Suellyn Novak Saturday. Photo by Ken Fankhauser

After the war, he stayed in the Army Reserves for 30 years. He worked with the Alaska Territorial government and with different veteran associations over the years. He’s been a member of Alaska’s oldest Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1685 in Spenard for more than 40 years; he’s even part of the Order of the Purple Heart for flesh wounds he suffered in Korea.

Although he’s always felt appreciated, he was happy to be recognized by the state of Alaska.

Severson was officially welcomed home to Alaska Saturday with an Alaska honorable service medal presented to him and 27 other veterans of wars at Eagle River’s VFW Post 9785. Veterans representing the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf and Iraqi wars were recognized for their service and sacrifice.

“Those veterans need to be recognized. They need to be welcomed home,” said Suellyn Novak, president of the Alaska Veterans Museum. Novak, along with members of the Alaska Veterans Foundation, conducted the medal ceremony.

“Just the fact that, finally, here is the recognition that all of those people who served never got,” Novak said.

Brig. Gen. Deborah McManus, the Assistant Adjutant General for the Alaska Air National Guard received a medal and joined the committee to give out medals to veterans during the ceremony.

The committee called up each veteran to receive their medal and honored them with the same words.

“Thank you and a hearty welcome home on behalf of all Alaskans.”

Claudia Hineline-Griffith was at the VFW to support her husband Scott Griffith, a retired Navy man who served in Vietnam and all over Europe and the U.S. before landing in Alaska. The Griffiths are active VFW members and said they would have been there regardless of whether or not Griffith was recognized.

“The aspect that they are finally getting some kind of recognition I think really means a lot,” Hineline-Griffith said. “I think it helps families understand what their veteran went through.”

Eagle River’s Hal Rodgers served in Vietnam as part of the Army’s Military Assistance Command, working as an advisor for psychological warfare. He was a career military member and has retired. He said the medal was significant to him, too.

“The recognition the veterans get improves the morale of the military that is on active duty.” Rodgers said. “They know that you’ll be appreciated once you complete your service.”

The medal is given to anyone who honorably served in the military, regardless if they served on the battlefield or not, Novak said.

The Alaska Veterans Foundation raises money to make the medals. The shape of Alaska is embossed on one side of the medal, with room for a veteran to engrave his name or number on the back. Each medal costs $6 - all of the money is raised by people in the community.

Novak said that local VFW members have donated more than $1,800 over the last two years.

“Finally, now there is something to say thank you, thank you for your sacrifice,” Novak said. “‘Ya done good, kid. Welcome home.”

Veterans can apply for the honorable service member through the Alaska Veterans Foundation. Call 222-6945 for more information.

Reach the reporter at jillfankhauser.@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, July 2, 2009.