Terry J. Van Roekel, a former Sanborn resident and 1964 graduate of Sanborn High School, will be heading to the Nation’s Capital June 3 on the latest Midwest Honor Flight which is Mission 26.
Over 80 Veterans from northwest Iowa, southeast South Dakota and northeast Nebraska will leave Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City and fly to Reagan National Airport (DCA) to visit Arlington and Washington D.C. The tour will include the various Memorials: World War II, Iwo Jima (Marine), Korean War, Vietnam War and Air Force. The Veterans will also see downtown DC and the Navy Memorial. At Arlington National Cemetery they will visit The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to witness the Changing of the Guard.
Terry is the youngest son of William and Martha (Block) Van Roekel. He grew up in Sanborn along with his siblings Marlene, Joline, Sandra and David. His sister Candice passed away at birth. Terry now lives in Sergeant Bluff. He has two daughters, Jennifer and Lori, and three grandchildren.
Terry was employed at Graves Construction Co. (then located at Melvin) before entering the U.S. Army. He served in the Army from 1966-1968 which included a tour of duty in Vietnam. “He was drafted,” noted Jennifer. “Dad said if you were drafted, you were enlisted for two years and then had to do four years of Reserves after, but because he went to Vietnam, they waived that rule. If you joined you had to enlist for four years, no matter what.”
Terry was assigned to the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division. He underwent his Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
A press release from 1967 describes the dangerous work of the reconnaissance platoon for which Terry volunteered. It reads: Army Private First Class Terry J. Van Roekel, 20, recently volunteered for duty with a newly-formed long-range reconnaissance platoon in Vietnam. The platoon is the “eyes and ears” for the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division based in Plei Djereng. The unit’s mission is to observe enemy activity in designated areas while avoiding actual combat. Friendly fire support is immediately available in the case of an enemy ambush. Pvt. Van Roekel and the other members of the platoon must be prepared for patrols lasting as long as five days without resupply. They carry dehydrated rations and communications, demolition and medical equipment. Pvt. Van Roekel, a scout in the brigade’s Headquarters Company, entered the Army in May of 1966 and arrived overseas in October of that year.

Terry was decorated for his service to his Country, receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam, Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle).
Terry graduated from WITCC in Sioux City and worked for Knoepfler Chevrolet in Sioux City for more than 41 years. He has been ackowledged for his 40-year affiliation with American Legion Post 662 of Sergeant Bluff. Says Jennifer, “Dad loves to fish, still likes cars after all these years working on them, known as Mr. Fix-It, he makes custom tumblers and other epoxy projects, builds any project I give him.”
Terry shared his feelings about going on the Honor Flight saying, “This is an unbelievable opportunity, and I am honored that I get to participate in such an event.”
For details on how to welcome Terry and these other American Heroes home from their Final Tour with Honor visit the Mission 26 web page at https://www.midwesthonorflight.org/mission26