Jefferson County's Veteran of the Month for November: Mark Grummert

From the Jefferson County Veteran's Service Office

Mark Grummert was born on May 5, 1944 and was raised on the family farm just North of Jansen, Nebraska where he lives today. He attended grade school in a one-room rural country school in District #2 and completed high school at Fairbury High School. Mark attended Kansas State University prior to enlisting in the U. S. Naval Reserve in 1967. In April of 1967, he married his wife, Linda.

While in the Navy Reserves, Mark entered Officer Candidate School in Newport Rhode Island where he was commissioned an Ensign upon completing four months schooling. His first duty assignment was aboard the USS Wright based out of Norfolk, Virginia. The USS Wright was an alternate Command Post, it was staffed with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and had the communication capabilities to direct a war effort while at sea. Prior to going to Vietnam, Mark attended Survival School.

Arriving at his second duty station in 1969, some time was spent in Saigon (Hanoi City) before being sent to an out post near Phan Rang where he was assigned to a Military Sea Transportation Unit (MSTS). This was a part of the military supply chain that is not well known about. He spent a one-year tour in Vietnam; and although he still had three months of his obligation left, he was sent to Omaha, NE for discharge.

Mark and his wife, Linda, have now been married 55 years. They were blessed with three children, two girls and one boy. Currently there are 4 grandchildren they cherish.

Mark started his civilian work history by working at his father-in-law’s Ford Dealership in Lexington, Nebraska for three years. The Grummet’s then moved back to farm the family farm in 1973.

Over the years, Mark has served on many boards and worked second shift at IRWIN Industrial Tool (Petersons) for ten years. He has been a member of the Jansen American Legion Post 243 for almost 50 years now. Mark currently volunteers his time as a member of the Jefferson County Veteran’s Advisory Committee. Mark was appointed to the committee by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners.