Our team is dedicated to empowering team members with safety leadership and promoting a safe, secure and environmentally- friendly work environment in all facets of our business.
Originally published in the “The Bugle” a Wisconsin Elks member publication. Reprinted with permission from the author.
When people ask me, “where do you work?” I answer with great pride, “Resource Environmental Solutions (RES).” If I had saved a dollar every time someone followed up with “what’s that and what do you do” I would be a millionaire. Understanding what the business you work for produces and what your job is within that company is always first on folks’ minds when they ask where you work. Really, it is the root of the conversation they are looking for. Well, let me make it easy by simply saying, “I help RES put projects on the landscape that enhance the environment we currently live in while making long-term ecological improvements to our communities”. Simple answer, and honestly, all too often, a conversation stopper. I have found that RES is one of the places where you are encouraged to understand the full experiences of your work and to share that with others. Refreshing and absolutely necessary for our future.
The connection between people and the natural environment is tedious for most. They conceptually understand the idea of clean air, clean water, and the “big picture” of wanting to have a natural environment we can be proud of and thrive in. Then again, try and explain the concept of reducing pollutants coming from one place and impacting another area…eyes glaze over for most folks, not in the environmental field.
It’s not that people don’t care or that they can’t understand. We as a society are missing the links to our interconnected world and the ability to rise above the individual interactions with nature to appreciate that we are really drinking dinosaur pee and in the same snow globe together. Mother nature doesn’t move fast, but she takes the inputs and adapts over time when she decides it is needed. Like our society, she changes slowly but then, all of a sudden – it happens. The trillions of small actions causing changes generally not seen by the naked eye but eventually taking hold. Influencing those inputs usually is a long row to hoe and is primarily a cultural business challenge. Well, I am fortunate to get to be part of that long-term solution at RES.
Not a typical site tour
One day I was privileged to be on a property in Western Wisconsin with my colleague Jei, in the heart of the driftless area. The landscape in this area is absolutely incredible. As far as the eye can see, there’s a metric of winding streams, determinate bluff lines, mature forests, and fresh dairy air gracing the winds. We were looking at a small trout stream that had been used and loved by a family for more than 100 years, trying to develop possible ways to improve upon nature’s treasure. It was a beautiful day, the bluest of skies, almost perfect temperatures, and just enough of a breeze to keep the mosquitos at bay.
Walking this stream with the brothers and learning the history of the site was a treat. The stories of the efforts in the past, planting willows, battling floodwaters, keeping hillside seeps open, all added to my sense of past and present. Not to mention the historic barn that was renovated into a family heirloom. It all added up to a great visit. Maybe not purposefully, but this family has created a sustainable coulee landscape on this property. After looking at the main property, Bill asked if we wanted to look at another property just a mile or so upstream. Of course, we accepted the invitation to view the headwaters for a potential project and better understand the natural systems in play
Following Bill up the winding road to his next property, we came to the property. Just before getting to the top of the watershed, we turned into a field and drove the farm road to the stream’s headwaters. This source is a spring-fed wetland that braided its way downhill and eventually turned into the same trout stream by the farm. With all the skunk cabbage and flowering fen-type plants, it was great to see. A secluded coulee with no traffic noise, diverse vegetation ranging from hardwoods to native grasses. All playing together to form an ecological system. The kind of site where the inner ecologist geeks out and gets overstimulated.
An exceptional discovery
That is not where this story ends but rather where it starts. You see, when we pulled off the small road, and through the field, we were able to see all these features. Then we came to a secluded wooded area, and I saw the crowning glory of the day. It was an American flag proudly flying in the middle of this ecological wonder. I noticed that this small area was very well maintained with a little closer look—a modest area of mowed lawn with a flower garden of native flowers in full bloom. Not your average flower garden, this one has enough thought to use native species throughout that all bloom at different times of the year. The flower garden was full of activity with pollinators of many types. Hummingbirds even came by to amaze us with their speed, energy, and vibrant colors. We saw the flag properly displayed and lit by solar-powered lighting and a metal piece of art showing an army helicopter. Then, right next to the flags, we saw the white crosses, sending my heart into a tumble. Moving me even further was the POW-MIA work of art just behind the crosses. A close-to-home reminder to look deeply at everything, not just what is in front of your nose.
This memorial had to be something very special. Hearing the springs and babbling flowing creek brought a sense of peace & serenity—the kind of place where you have a conversation using a soft voice. Hearing the wind whisper through the planted pines, the calls of several frogs breaking the silence, and even a whitetail watching our every move. This is an effortless place to sit, think, and recharge the batteries. I had to ask, “who has been taking care of all of this?” This one was not a family project; rather something Bill started long ago. The attention to detail was remarkable throughout the property. He likely did not know it, but he had created another sustainable coulee landscape on this property.
Learning Bill’s story
I needed to know, so I asked for the story behind this memorial. Bill was generous enough to share the story of how this came about. You see, he is an American veteran and has experienced and seen things most of us never have and pray we never will. He faithfully served our country and has the scarring memories to prove it. He is a strong, resilient person. The kind you look to and know he deserves admiration.
We discussed some of the turbulent times and experiences he has been through. Bill enhanced my pride in being an American, and I am continually amazed by who he is. I feel sheer reverence for what he selflessly has done and continues to do today. It helped to remind me to be grateful every day for the experiences I have. Having an uncle who also served in Vietnam and friends in many other locations worldwide, his stories hit close to home. Bill explained the entire story of the memorial, which touched both of us at a profoundly personal level. For me, I thought about all my friends who have served and what they must be carrying with them. How could I ever truly thank them? Just dropping an easy “thank you for your service” always felt hollow to me, and this person and place cemented that truth.
You see, Bill comes out to this sacred area almost every day and sits on a simple lawn chair. He will sit and recall what I hope are the good memories of those who perished. I was honored to have been allowed to spend a moment in his chair. A courtesy he extended without hesitation, except from me. During that short time of feeling the depth of this chair, a slightly stronger wind blew in. It revealed the wonderful wind chime he had constructed just behind the memorial. Large enough to give off a sound that is mild, lingering, and unending. As I sat and listened, waiting for the chime to end, something occurred to me. There was no real end to this chime, only a slowly fading volume that is replenished by the love, honor, and respect that this small place commands.
I asked Bill to share his story with me because his story reminded me of the importance of the values of our country. I ask that you read his words and help him always remember his story and its full meaning with reverence and respect. I also ask that the next time you have a chance, don’t just thank a veteran for their service and sacrifice. Understand how connected they are with you and appreciate their complete story. Perhaps, rather than a superficial thank you, strike a conversation to understand each other better. Search for the same interconnected results that mother nature has. Maybe even try this approach with everyone and everything, not just veterans. Let these conversations become one of the countless moments in our world that slowly but surely amount to positive changes rather than words without the depth of meaning. All of a sudden, you may find those deeper interconnected meanings are worth the effort. It works for Mother Nature and RES; why wouldn’t it work for all of us?
William “Bill” Thoma’s Story (In His Own Words)
The 92nd Assault Helicopter Company (AHC) was activated at Fort Carson, Colorado, in 1967 and deployed to Vietnam in November of that year. The unit was assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. The unit was stationed at Dong Ba Thin, Vietnam. The unit remained in Vietnam until December 1971, when the unit was deactivated. The unit callsign was “Stallions” for the slicks and “Sidekicks” for the gunships.
On October 27, 1968, Stallion 504 was on a mission supporting the 173d Airborne Brigade. A Co, 3d Bn, 506th Infantry requested a helicopter to evacuate a soldier for medical treatment. As Stallion 504 was on the way to A Company’s location, the weather started closing. Stallion 504 was advised that the weather was too bad and that they should abort the mission. Since it was a Medevac mission, they decided to continue with the mission. They found a hole in the clouds and dropped through the clouds. The last transmission from the aircraft indicated that they had A Company insight. The aircraft crashed into the side of a mountain and burned. The entire crew perished. The crew:
WO1 Dennis Ackerman, Aircraft Commander, Age 21
WO1 Edward Mullins, Pilot, Age 22
PFC Richard Bray, Door Gunner, Age 18
SP4 Nobel Head, Crew Chief/Door Gunner, age 19
On December 24, 1968, Stallion 460 was flying in support of an ARVN unit near the Dalat Lien Khuong Airfield. They took off from a remote landing area and struck high voltage wires. The aircraft crashed and burned. The entire crew perished. The crew:
CW2 James Ozbun, Aircraft Commander, Age 23
WO1 Roger Ross, Pilot, Age 22
SP4 Lee Brooks, Crew Chief/Door Gunner, Age 23
SP4 Kenneth Devore, Door Gunner, Age 18
Twenty-one members of the 92d AHC were killed in action in Vietnam. The crews of the two aircraft above were killed in action during my tour with the 92nd. These are the men I chose to honor and remember with my memorial in Bruce Valley. These men should not be forgotten!
Gregg, I know that you are too young to remember the turbulent time of the Vietnam war. The war and racial tension had our country more divided than any other time since the civil war. Our participation in the war has been debated both during and after the war. Whether or not we should have been there should not lessen the honor given to those who sacrificed in the war, but it has. The war for the US ended with a peace treaty that was to provide “peace with honor”. It resulted in neither peace nor honor. The end of the war left a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth. The war for us ended – no more U.S. soldiers were being killed – however, we left without finishing our mission. We abandoned the South Vietnamese people. We promised air support to the South Vietnamese Army if it was needed, however, we reneged on that promise. When the war ended, most people just wanted to forget the war. As a result, the 58,000 plus Americans who were killed in action were also forgotten.
I don’t know why I put up the memorial out in the middle of nowhere. I guess I did it so that “I” would not forget these men. Although I did not start out with this as a goal, the memorial has brought me some closure to the war. I can sit out at the memorial, listen to nature, and speak to the boys. It brings me peace!
Thank You,
Bill
In honor of those who have selflessly given and bravely served our nation, we thank you.
Explore making part of your land, a legacy of resiliency for future generations.
At RES, we don’t build sites and walk away. We design them to thrive, and stick around until they do.
Impacts are sometimes unavoidable. For these situations, we offer ecological offsets in the form of mitigation credits.
RES delivers resiliency, project by project. Understanding them is the best way to get to know us.
Keeping the ecological balance is an intensely local endeavor. See how we meet the challenge in your area.
We strengthen our team by bringing on respected teams of experts with local knowledge and experience, who share our vision of a resilient earth.
Read the latest news about RES, our projects and our people.
One day I was privileged to be on a property in Western Wisconsin with my colleague Jei, in the heart of the driftless area. The landscape in this area is absolutely incredible. As far as the eye can see, there’s a metric of winding streams, determinate bluff lines, mature forests, and fresh dairy air gracing the winds. We were looking at a small trout stream that had been used and loved by a family for more than 100 years, trying to develop possible ways to improve upon nature’s treasure. It was a beautiful day, the bluest of skies, almost perfect temperatures, and just enough of a breeze to keep the mosquitos at bay.