An Army veteran who recently published a children’s book to explain post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be one of a dozen veterans honored by McHenry Community High School for the annual Veterans Day event.
Mathius Carter of Crystal Lake will join a panel of other veterans on Tuesday to speak to students about their experiences in the military. The annual Veterans Day event is a way to honor veterans while teaching students about military service.
Organized by the social science division, panel discussions will be held throughout most of the day at Freshman Campus and Upper Campus. Students can learn about different types of military service and ask questions of veterans.
One new addition to the panel this year is Mathius Carter, a Crystal Lake native who recently published “Instead of Sheep: A Soldier’s Way of Explaining PTSD to his Son.”
Carter, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is the outreach coordinator for the Road Home Program. He’ll be speaking at the Freshman Campus in the afternoon.
Here is the detailed schedule, followed by biographical information.
Freshman Campus
Morning Session: Periods 1-3
Brett Kinney
Duke Hazdra
Rick Prescott
Derek Franzen
Barry Phelps
Afternoon Session: Periods 5-8
Brett Kinney
Rick Prescott
Mathius Carter
Mike Adams (10:45-1:15)
Upper Campus:
Morning Session: Periods 1-4
James Wautelet
Raymond Andresen
Lolly Peters
Dave Shafer
Colin Brennan
Afternoon Session: Periods 5-8
James Wautelet
Barry Phelps
Dave Shafer
Derek Franzen
Joe Kalisek
Ray Andresen
Ray Andresen
I am currently a business owner here in McHenry as well as retired Marine. I served in the Marines for 20 years from 1997-2018. During that time, I was an aviation mechanic, recruiter and served in other roles during my time in uniform. I attended recruit
training and Marine combat training in San Diego, California. I was then assigned as an Aviation Ground Support equipment Mechanic attending schools in Pensacola, FL, and North Island, CA before being stationed at MCAS Beaufort, SC.
While I was stationed in Beaufort, S.C I deployed several times overseas to Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the western pacific. I served one tour on recruiting in Detroit, MI and afterwards received order to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and then to Regional Southwest as a counter IED watch officer and detainee watch commander for 13 months in Camp leatherneck Afghanistan.After returning home I was assigned to MCAS Miramar as the Maintenance supervisor and then
received orders recruiting in Detroit, Mi again. After another successful tour I was assigned to
Marine Corps Air Station New River, NC until my retirement in January 2018
Tom Bitterman
I was drafted in May of 1968 at the age of 23. I attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. I then was selected to attend a Non-Commissioned Officers Course in Fort Benning Georgia. I graduated 2nd in my class as a Staff Sergeant E-6. I then spent 12 weeks at Fort Benning as a Tactical NCO, training the next class. 30 days leave and then ordered to Vietnam to serve as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant with the 1st Cavalry Division. We were air mobile, so our Company was engaged in many firefights. I was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" twice. and I also received the Purple Heart twice during my tour in Vietnam. Thanks to the President I was granted a 40 day drop from my tour. This was part of the troop reduction act, designed to eventually get the USA out of Vietnam.
Sergeant Colin Brennan
My name is Colin Brennan.
I graduated from McHenry West (Upper Campus) in 2014, leaving for Marine Corps boot camp shortly after. I went to MCRD San Diego for 3 months and then the school of infantry in Camp Pendleton for 2 months graduating as an 0351 infantry assaultman. After, I was stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii with 1/3. After 2 trips to Japan, South Korea, and surrounding areas, I got out in 2018. I now work as an emergency room nurse here at the hospital in McHenry.
Mathius Carter
Mathius Carter enlisted in the United States Army at just 17 years old, one month before the attacks of September 11th. He served as a communications specialist, supporting infantry units by ensuring secure and reliable communication during critical operations. His military service included a two-year deployment to Germany and a deployment to Iraq during the initial 2003 invasion.
After transitioning out of the military, Mathius continued his mission of service by pursuing higher education, eventually earning his MBA. Today, he works in the nonprofit sector providing mental health outreach and support for veterans, service members, and their families. In addition to his professional work, he writes children’s books to explain post traumatic stress to children, and also leads and supports VFW efforts across McHenry and Lake County, focused on strengthening community, preserving tradition, and ensuring veterans never fight their battles alone.
Mathius remains dedicated to empowering veterans through advocacy, engagement, and connection, and continues his lifelong commitment to helping others heal, grow, and succeed beyond their service
Robert 'Bob' Haynes
I enlisted in the US Army in 1966 when I was 17 years old. The Vietnam War was the conflict of my era and I wanted to do my part to serve and protect my Country.
I was trained as a wheel vehicle mechanic but, was trained as a soldier first. I fully expected to be deployed to V. N. but, was one of very few that did not go to V. N. Instead I was sent to South Korea to serve in an Infantry Division on the DMZ (demiltarized zone). Many did not and still do not know there was a war going on in Korea at that time. Many American and S. Korean soldiers were killed there. Agent Orange and other Rainbow Herbicides were used there, same as in V. N. I served 13 months there as a mechanic but also as an Infantry Soldier doing missions on the DMZ. I am now a 100% disabled veteran due to illnesses associated with exposure to the herbicides.
I retired as an engineering manager from a large Illinois based corporation. I then spent another 13.5 years running a military not-for- profit organization.
God bless America!
RICHARD J. HAZDRA, COL (R), USAF
I’m Colonel “Duke” Hazdra. I began my military career in 1985 at the Air Force Officer Training School. Following flight school, I flew KC-135 Stratotankers, refueling other aircraft while airborne. I flew 200 combat and combat support missions during the Gulf War and subsequent operations. Reassigned to U.S. Transportation Command in 2000, I was a transportation planner for The Iraq War. On September 11th 2001, I became the Crisis Action Team Executive Officer where we conducted the transportation of the military buildup for the War in Afghanistan. In 2002, I took command of the 34th Education Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where we established the Military Strategic Studies Bachelor of Science degree program. In 2006, I was reassigned to the Pentagon and held various positions under the Chief of Air Force Operations. In 2009, I became the Vice Commander of the one of the Air Force’s largest Air Force Bases with over 26,000 personnel and $5.4 billion of infrastructure, supporting the Air Force’s Research and Development Headquarters. I retired from the Air Force in 2013.
Brett Kinney
My name is Brett Kinney. I am a police officer here in the City of McHenry. I served in the United States Army from 2004- 2010. In that time I was trained as a Combat Medic and a Physical Therapy Technician. Early in my career, I worked at multiple hospitals helping wounded soldiers coming home from combat. In 2008 I was attached to a National Guard unit out of Woodstock Illinois. We deployed to Mehtar Lam Afghanistan, a village near the Pakistan border, where we conducted many different types of missions. While in Mehtar Lam, I helped run an aid station that treated soldiers and Afghan nationals.
Barry Phelps
Captain Barry Phelps served on active duty with the U.S. Air Force for 4 years (1969 - 1973) during the Vietnam Era.
He took Aerospace Science classes through ROTC in college and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (and declared an "Officer and a Gentleman") the same day that he graduated from the University of Iowa with his Bachelor's Degree. He went on active duty a month later and was stationed at a Strategic Air Command base in Michigan.
He was assigned as a Personnel Officer in the 379th Combat Support Group, which supported a nuclear-equipped B52 bomber squadron and a KC135 air refueling tanker squadron during the Cold War (while also shuttling those air crews on a rotating basis to bases in Thailand to fly bombing missions over North Vietnam).
Captain Phelps served an additional 8 years in the Air Force Reserves before resigning his commission and receiving an Honorable Discharge.
Lolly Peters
My name is Lolly Meyer Peters, and I’m a 1975 graduate of MCHS…Go Warriors! I enlisted in the US Army’s delayed entry program in July of 1975, and left for basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC on 6 January 1976. At the time of my enlistment, I was a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC), which was disbanded in 1978. I also went through AIT at Ft. Jackson, becoming a 75D10, Personnel Records Specialist. My first duty station was Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. I was also stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Seoul, Korea, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, Ft. Lee, Virginia, and Ft. Bliss, Texas. While at Ft. Bliss, I was a part of the reactivation of 4/3 ADA (PATRIOT) Battalion, which became instrumental in the Iraq war. My favorite duty station was Ft. Lewis, simply because of the scenery.
Rick Prescott
Rick Prescott served in the United States Marine Corps from 1974-1980. He was promoted Meritoriously three times, making Sergeant in 2 1/2 years, serving as an Instructor in California. He then went on to serve in our United States Embassies in Prague, Czechoslovakia and then to Athens Greece as a Embassy Marine Guard, where he protected high level dignitaries, American citizens and Classified Materials and assets of the American government. Upon retuning to the civilian community, he became a police officer after obtaining a university degree. He is now retired and still serving our community as Commandant of the McHenry County Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
Dave Shafer
Drafted into the army in Jan, 1970. Basic Ft Campbell Ky. Advanced training Ft Polk La. Completed 26 weeks of scout dog training at Ft Benning Ga. Sent to VietNam in Feb of 1971. Assigned to the 101st airborne division at camp eagle in the far northern part of VietNam. Left the service in Nov of 1971 to attend college.
James Wautelet
My name is Jim Wautelet, I grew up in Wonder lake, and graduated from McHenry West (Upper Campus) in 1986. In September I went to basic training at Bliss Texas where I completed basic training. My first job was at Fort Lee Virginia to become a petroleum engineer. After graduating I went to Dix New Jersey where I completed 88 Mike school which is truck driving. After that I was assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. My second job training was the patriot missile where then I was assigned back to Fort Bliss Texas and my company was Delta 343 Air defense artillery. So at this time I was trying to find my way and needed more of a presence in the military so I put up my packet to become a Green Beret, took my written test, went through an interview process, and it was called a Q test to see if you can even qualify for school. Finally in 1989 I was assigned back to Ft Campbell Kentucky 5th group special forces. Well then I began tours, desert Storm, the battle of Mogadishu Somalia, Haiti, Djibouti Africa, Bosnia. With several battle injuries I retired in 2006.