A cold, January night in Suring is a far cry from the scorching jungles of South Vietnam, where on Aug. 13, 1970, Russell Leroy Bahrke Jr. was killed in action while serving his country in the United States Army.
In a crowded, silent gymnasium Friday the two discordant settings came together at the Suring Basketball Military Night.
Retired Col. Dan Johnston, Bahrke’s platoon leader, delivered a message 45 years in the making. His message would mark this year’s event as one of closure, remembrance and gratitude.
“I can stand before you today and testify without a doubt that Russell Bahrke’s service was exemplary. He was a good, solid soldier that I would have had stand by me at any time, in any place, under any circumstance. And he did you proud,” Johnston said.
The Suring Basketball Military Night was organized five years ago by Ron Christensen and Gary Regal with support from the Suring American Legion and Vets 4 Vets of Oconto County. The event recognizes local veterans and helps raise money for programs such as the Wounded Warriors Project and the Old Glory Honor Flight, so far raising more than $10,000.
This year’s event held special significance, however, as the Suring American Legion felt the time had finally come to honor Bahrke and the sacrifice he made for his country.
“When Russell came back, there was no recognition of his sacrifice, and this community never had that opportunity,” Christensen said. “To me, this is that opportunity for our entire community to recognize the only person from this school that was killed in Vietnam.”
Christensen, who served in the Marines for 20 years, began coordinating the Military Night with Bahrke in mind, reaching out to members of his platoon to find someone who would be willing to speak about the events of that day.
His efforts led him to San Antonio, Texas, and Johnston, who welcomed the opportunity to finally meet the family and friends of the only soldier he lost under his command.
“A leader is supposed to communicate with the family after the death of a soldier,” Johnston said. “I sent a letter home, and I never received a response. I always wondered why, but it was not something I wanted to investigate in case there were some hard feelings. So this is the first time (contacting the family), and it has been very meaningful for me.”
“There was a lot of anxiety on my part not knowing what to expect,” Christensen said. “I mean, we’re talking 44 years after the fact. It seemed to me it was fate that put me in contact with people that served with Russell.”
Johnston, who retired from the Army in 1994 after 25 years of service, flew to Green Bay with his wife, toured Lambeau Field and met with members of the Suring American Legion.
Johnston was then introduced to Bahrke’s brother, Kim, and Bahrke’s two surviving cousins for an opportunity to talk about the fallen soldier’s service.
“It is the first time I have spoken to anyone about what happened when my brother passed,” Kim Bahrke said. “It was good talking to the colonel. He let me know exactly what happened and how proud he was of his unit that day, and he should have been. They served admirably.”
“Speaking to (the family) was very cathartic in that it was clearly a needed healing process,” Johnston said. “One of the cousins hugged me very emotionally after the talk and said he had been waiting for this conversation for 45 years.”
Johnston was then shown Bahrke’s resting place and old neighborhood before speaking to the Suring student body Friday.
Coach Jim Keeffe said the participation of the Suring basketball team and students in Military Night helps them recognize the significance of the freedoms they exercise every day.
“One of the things we try to teach these kids is to respect the nation and the service of our men and women, because participating in a sport like this is not necessarily a right,” Keeffe said. “Somebody has to make a sacrifice so we can do this. We just want to make sure they have that in mind when they leave here.”
Military Night opened with a spaghetti dinner, T-shirt sale and raffle that packed the school’s cafeteria with veterans and community members before the crowd filed into the gymnasium for the junior varsity boys’ 50-19 victory over Niagara.
Before the start of the varsity game, an emotional ceremony was held, during which Johnston spoke about Bahrke’s service, and Kim Bahrke was introduced.
“I firmly believe that the obligation of every one of you sitting here today is to live a life that is worthy of Russell Bahrke,” Johnston said during his speech.
Afterword, the Suring community choir sang patriotic selections, Johnston, Christensen and Kim Bahrke placed flowers before a photo of Russell Bahrke and the Color Guard presented the colors. Both basketball teams lined up for a photo with Christensen and Kim Bahrke.
The varsity Eagles then soared to a 40-34 victory over Niagara.
Johnston said that the congeniality that greeted him in Wisconsin affirms that no matter where one might go in this country, the courtesy Americans extend to one another as citizens is precious, something heroes such as Bahrke made possible.
“I think that the community is well served by recognizing the service of one of its members,” Johnston said. “Russell had a very big heart. He had tremendous personal courage.”
Kim Bahrke was simply at a loss for words after the ceremony.
“I can’t be more proud that they thought that much of my brother and they did so much for him,” Kim Bahrke said. “I am just so glad, so proud of the Legion, so proud of the colonel coming up. I don’t know what to say.”
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