MICHIGAN, USA — This Saturday is Veteran's Day, but for some, the appreciation lasts all year.
Corporal Karl Knittel served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, "I went in the Marine Corps in 1967. And I got out in 1971."
During this time he saw new places periodically.
"Jet training in Memphis... Cherry Point North Carolina... I put in for Vietnam orders…they sent me to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for two years," said Knittel, “Came back to Cherry Point for about a year in my last year in the service and we did monthly reconnaissance duty down a Bay of Pigs in Cuba.”
And he learned many life lessons along the way.
“Discipline, respect for authority. And following orders,” said Knittel.
After his time in the service he transitioned to the civilian work sector, eventually leading him to his current home in Holland now living alongside his wife, Jan.
“There's something about a man in a uniform, you know, haha,” said Janice Knittel.
And even after a lifetime full of serving and working, he continues to do so in retirement.
“I'm in the Marine Corps league in Holland.… I'm in charge of the flag program… called the avenue of flags, we put up casket-sized flags throughout the cemetery, every Memorial Day," said Knittel. “And I collect retired flags for just for retirement, we call it, it's where they dispose of the flags properly...I got involved in the county Veterans Honor Guard. And I do military funerals for veterans."
And that’s not it, he also connects with students in the community, reading them stories and making sure they can recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
“The kids were just in awe of him,” said Janice.
The bottom line of what Karl says is he hopes to promote in the community "I want them to appreciate the military, the veterans that gave their life and gave their time and service to this country to make the freedom that we've got be what it is.”
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