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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 Annual drive helps feed thousands of families in need Since You Asked: 'Hideous' fence serves an important purpose Dry future for McNeal Pavilion Three vie for Fire District No. 5 chief's job Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services Rogue River alleged kidnapper arrested Emergency services Emergency services Monica pens letter to judge Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Environment Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em Since You Asked: Biomass One makes steam-generated power State News Resent ballots, late results likely to trigger GMO recount Nike plans 1.3 million-square-foot headquarters expansion Federal report shows Coos Bay LNG terminal would be large carbon source Oregon GMO measure may be headed for recount Oregon immigrants, activists celebrate Obama plan Nation - World Obituaries Ernest "Bud" E. Arthur Edwin Raymond William Justus Kirkman Larry Joe Pool Irene Meredith Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories SOU heading to No. 1 Carroll for quarterfinals ‘Win at all costs’ Blazers extend win streak to seven Raiders’ NAIA slate is set Ko gets record haul by winning LPGA finale Varsity 541 College Sports SOU heading to No. 1 Carroll for quarterfinals Raiders’ NAIA slate is set Beavers head to Vegas with momentum Big plays help Huskies race past Beavers, 37-13 Four Raiders come home All-Americans from NAIA Championships Pro Sports ‘Win at all costs’ Blazers extend win streak to seven Ko gets record haul by winning LPGA finale Spartans crush Blue Oregon’s Cheserek a back-to-back champion Community Sports Results / Standings Business Latest Stories Perfecting a confection Blog: Wild Times in Southern Oregon Ride & Drive: 2015 Honda CR-V Christian's Pharmacy eyes weekend changeover Blog: Medford Center no longer a "forgotten child" Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Lithia reports $34.5 million third-quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Revenue rises for Harry & David's parent company Where do all those leaves go? Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Nov. 24 Michael Gerson: Pope's human touch can be confusing Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate Letters to the Editor, Nov. 23 Dana Milbank: How the GOP can poke back against Obama Editorials Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate Other Views: Legislators shbould avoid feel-good distractions Our View: Signs of controversy Our view: Richardson got the coverage, not the win Court ruling may envelop Cover Oregon Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 24 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 23 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 21 Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Nov. 19 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Reflections on the election in Oregon and beyond Lifestyle Latest stories Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk Anniversary: Mastain Century Club Wedding: Tomlinson-Nowak Food Restaurant Inspections Community blog: Finish off Thursday's feast on a lighter note Corn pudding like a ray of sunshine Keep it simple with Thanksgiving wines Homes for the holidays Home and Garden Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Mortgage insurance: Your questions answered Home Help: Spruce up your home with quick DIY painting projects Beyond curb appeal: When it pays to stand out Use the hidden meaning of color to enhance your home Health Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk 'Tis the season to be jolly County resident no longer at risk for Ebola Health Watch: Holidays can trigger allergy attacks Dr. Jeff Hersh: Tackling Ebola and flu concerns Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements Century Club Wedding: Tomlinson-Nowak Wedding: Rodgers-Horn Local farmers need more products in grocery stores Ashland honey festival draws swarm of visitors Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults The Bohemian Club A new guitar slinger in town Clayfolk Show set for this weekend at Medford Armory Caleb Klauder Band and The Steel Wheels play the Unitarian Fellowship Theater New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' The power of human spirit Music A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love The Farr Side: Different artists, common songs Caleb Klauder Band and The Steel Wheels play the Unitarian Fellowship Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon to perform two shows Community Events New exhibits highlight Third Fridays Clayfolk Show set for this weekend at Medford Armory Review: Randall Theatre's 'Secret Garden' still enchanting Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Spookadelic Halloween Funktacular promises a lively dance party Dining The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit ... Church project built on faith ... Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate ... Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit ... Church project built on faith ... Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate ... ASHLAND The meaning behind Veterans Day Local veterans help people understand the importance of remembering By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 11, 2014 @ 5:41 pm Updated Nov 11, 2014 at 6:47 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 11, 2014 @ 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 @ 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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