Skip to content
Home » Features » Veteran Spotlight

Veteran Spotlight

GreatNews.Life

At GreatNews.Life, we believe that those willing to sacrifice everything to protect our community deserve to have their stories told. Since 2022, we’ve been making that happen with our monthly Veteran Spotlight series. Read on to hear from some of the men and women in your community that have served for you!

Veteran Spotlight: Weldon Crisman

Weldon Crisman has never taken a moment for granted, and at 95 years old, he’s still looking for the next adventure on the horizon. Crisman was born in the Miller area in 1928 and moved out to the country off of Lincoln Highway when he was young. He lived …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Weldon Crisman

Veteran Spotlight: Mark Volk

Mark Volk grew up in Michigan City and attended Elston High School. After graduating from high school, Volk knew he wanted to serve his country, so he joined the Army Reserves and went to Purdue University Northwest to study electrical engineering and …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Mark Volk

Veteran Spotlight: Randy Smith

Randy Smith grew up in Lake Station and attended Thomas A. Edison High School. Firefighting had always been a big part of Smith’s life—his dad was a volunteer fireman, and Smith liked going and riding with the firemen to help out and gain experience. So …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Randy Smith

Veteran Spotlight: John Mitchell

It’s no secret that a life well lived is full of all kinds of experiences, both good and bad. Veteran John Mitchell has certainly led a well-lived life–he’s leapt at  unique opportunities, faced many hardships, and achieved incredible feats. The …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: John Mitchell

Veteran Spotlight: Leonard “Lenny” Corso

Vietnam Era Veteran Leonard Corso doesn’t know what his life would’ve been like if he hadn’t served as a Green Beret medic in the military. What he does know, though, is how much his service taught him, and for that, he’ll forever be grateful. Corso …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Leonard “Lenny” Corso

Veteran Spotlight: Jed Leifson

Valparaiso resident Jed Leifson said that serving in the U.S. Army as a nurse for more than a decade made him a more compassionate person and helped to ensure sweet success in his career. Leifson was born and raised in Utah. He graduated from Westminster …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Jed Leifson

Veteran Spotlight: Marilyn Whitfield

Looking for a way to serve while getting training for a future career, Marilyn Whitfield enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in 1978. She completed basic training at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama. Then, she was “on the desk” for …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Marilyn Whitfield

Veteran Spotlight: John Zehner

Born and raised in Chesterton, Indiana, John Zehner decided it was time to expand his horizons after high school. He joined the U.S. Army in 1966 and served for two years.  “I did my training at Fort Lewis Army Base in Washington state,” he said …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: John Zehner

Veteran Spotlight: Alicia (Trina) Wilson

When you ask Alicia (Trina) Wilson about service, she immediately tells you about her time with the U.S. Army and Operation Desert Storm. In reality, Wilson has been serving for as long as she can remember.  Wilson’s closeness with her family began …

Read more
Veteran Spotlight: Alicia (Trina) Wilson