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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Charlie's hat case linked to earlier east Medford break-ins Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Charlie's hat case linked to earlier east Medford break-ins Butte Falls man shot at brother over dispute involving guns, documents claim Thieves steal disabled veteran's $20,000 wheelchair Medford man charged with attempted murder in domestic assault Politics and Elections Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Education Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Medford School Board, Position 5: Kim Wallan vs. Michael Campbell Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Ashland, Scenic win Brain Bowl competitions Needs improvement Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales Oregon considers gun control bill targeting domestic abusers New bill may curb Oregon medical marijuana growing operations 'Louie Louie' singer Jack Ely dies at 71 in Oregon Municipal officials object to proposed Oregon public records measure Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Kenneth Lee Barger Tanner Pascoe Helen Caster Death Notices James Bortvit Eike Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Third time’s a charm Crater crushes Ashland in MWL tilt Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon coaches, players ready to ‘split up and play’ Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Addison gets back into rhythm with Ducks Pro Sports Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Dolphins’ Jordan caught again, suspended for year Cavs' Love not expected to return for playoffs Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Real Estate News Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Letters to the Editor, April 29 Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor, April 28 Editorials Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 26 Letters to the Editor, April 25 Columns Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings With a song in prisoners' hearts George Will: A Graham candidacy's fun factor Dana Milbank: The TPP is an abomination Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Lost in Suburbia: Tie a yellow ribbon ‘round the old oak bathroom Wry & Ginger: Birds of a feather flock and talk together Food Food for Thought: Grill up a storm as the weather gets warm Season Stepp: Make seared steak fajitas for Cinco De Mayo Prudence Hilburn: Funnel cakes range from sweet to savory Prudence Hilburn: Mayo now used as binding agent in baking Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Home and Garden Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Health 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Theater Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director Music Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Reader Review: 'Birdman' for the birds Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Dining Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Don't wait on public records reform ... Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales ... Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) ... Our View: Don't wait on public records reform ... Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales ... Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) ... ASHLAND The meaning behind Veterans Day Local veterans help people understand the importance of remembering Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 11, 2014 at 5:41 PM Updated Nov 11, 2014 at 6:47 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 11, 2014 at 5:41 PM Updated Nov 11, 2014 at 6:47 PM » Social News Ted Sockman admits Veterans Day and its predecessor, Armistice Day, were not major events on the family calendar when he was growing up. Today, the 86-year-old Korean War veteran has a vastly different perspective, one he fervently desires for present and future generations to understand. "I just was simply not aware of these things when I was growing up," Sockman said. "I obviously became very aware and dedicated to the cause of trying to inform people. Now it's extremely important. I look at pictures of young men who lost their lives — 22-, 23-year-olds — and you wonder, was it all worth it? Did we need to go through this? It is a dedication on my part, and I feel obligated to do everything possible to get the word out of how important these holidays are." On Tuesday, the commander of  American Legion Post 14 in Ashland took part in an annual pancake breakfast at Pioneer Hall on Winburn Way. The event drew both aging veterans and schoolchildren. Sockman said he's concerned neither schools nor students put enough emphasis on Veterans Day and what it means to service men and women and their families. "The schools really don't know, and for the most part haven't any idea why they are getting the day off," Sockman said. "They just take it. They get no instruction to my knowledge, and it's a very sad situation when these young men and women are not told of the sacrifices made by so many, whether they were killed or not."  He understands, however, how easy it is to be indifferent to such matters, and how easily all that can change. Sockman's father was too young to participate in World War I service and too old for World War II, but Sockman's own scenario proved much different. "I was in UCLA when the Korean War broke out," he said. "In 1948, Harry S. Truman said that all you fellas who are between 18 and 25 will register for the draft or take a chance of being actually drafted. In order to stay in college, some of my buddies and I did that very thing." Hoping to thwart an early exit from his studies, Sockman joined up with a National Guard unit in nearby Santa Monica. His goal was to stay in college until he had his degree. "I didn't object to going in," Sockman said. "I just wanted to finish." Then on June 25, 1950, the conflict broke out and his National Guard unit was activated. He was ordered to report for duty on Sept. 1, 1950, at Camp Cook, now Vandenberg Air Force Base. In October 1951, he was on a troop ship headed to Japan. From there he was deployed to Korea, where he waded ashore at Incheon. During his six months on the peninsula, Sockman never fired a shot in anger, nor was he targeted during his mostly nighttime ammunition supply missions to artillery batteries flanked by Turkish and South Korean allies. "Even though I was in a combat zone, all I did was take target practice," said Sockman, who rose to the rank of staff sergeant. On his way home, he returned to Japan. His train passed through Nagasaki, which seven years earlier had been leveled by the "Fat Man" nuclear bomb. "I could not believe the disaster of Nagasaki," he said. "The part the train went through was devastated, just flat. I was awe-stricken by the incredible destruction the atomic bomb had, it was unbelievable." Such haunting elements of war, nonetheless, failed to dissuade him from performing his mission alongside his fellow soldiers. "I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever for serving my country," Sockman said. Among those commemorating Veterans Day in Ashland was Frank D'Entremont, a 97-year-old Marine veteran who was on active duty prior to Hitler's invasion of Poland in September 1939, which pulled Britain and France into war with Germany. His fluent French skills landed him a covert assignment as a military intelligence officer that led him to posts in Cuba, the Caribbean and, later, South America. D'Entremont, who now lives in Medford, was assigned to take out German weather-monitoring installations, helping to limit the Third Reich's encroachment into the Americas and halt gun smugglers. As a child he remembers watching World War I troops march through Boston on Nov. 11. "It mainly consisted of a parade," he said. "Veterans Day is important to remember the things we did." Another war in another era divided the country, something that still troubles Mike Bakke, a 64-year-old Ashland certified public accountant. He grew up in Albany, which for decades has staged one of the region's largest Veterans Day celebrations. "I grew up and followed in my brother's footsteps and went into the Air Force. I served during the Vietnam era. I didn't have to go to Vietnam, but I served during that era. We are very proud of our veterans now, they get a lot more deserved recognition than we did." Bakke, who was in the Air Force from 1964 until 1969, recalled perplexing attitudes and actions of the period. "I would get negative input from friends that it wasn't the right thing. I don't know how you would argue that now," he said. "The means of communication is better now. All you had during Vietnam was what you saw on TV. You didn't get real good feedback as to what our young men and women were going through. During these last several wars we've been involved in, our guys are being more and more appreciated." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31, and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge.           By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 11, 2014 at 5:41 PM Updated Nov 11, 2014 at 6:47 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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