Life lessons learned through military service
Bill Wojchik learned important life lessons while serving our country. Bill, currently a maintenance team member at St. Michael’s Assisted Living in Fountain City, WI, joined in the United States Marine Corps in 1968.
After training in San Diego, Bill spent roughly a month in Okinawa, Japan, waiting for his assignment. He was en route to Vietnam where he served for approximately 13 months. In Vietnam, Bill worked with an intelligence office often participating in night security operations.
After returning home, Bill left the military to get married and work on the family farm. The military experience allowed Bill to learn lessons that he still uses today.
“I learned a lot about discipline and respect from the officers,” Bill explained, “Do what you are told to do, as the instructors all had more experience compared to us and knew what was best. I also learned to cope with what we had.”
These days, Bill is often thanked for service and dedication to our country.
“One lady came up to me and gave me a hug. I’m guessing it’s because she saw my Vietnam veteran license plate. She simply thanked me for my service. It’s quite a nice thing to have people show support what you did,” Bill said.
Bill has been working at St. Michael’s for a little over a year. The variety of his position is an aspect that he enjoys.
“Very different because there is everything from checking the fire extinguishers on a monthly basis to moving in a new chair for a resident to fixing whatever breaks,” he said.
In his position, Bill has created relationships with St. Michael’s residents and fellow team members.
“People work together and really help each other out,” Bill said.
In our 120th year of caring for souls, we are honoring both our veteran residents and team members. Our history begins with one family’s loss during the Civil War. A 15-year-old Ernst Boessling from Belle Plaine volunteered to serve with the Minnesota troops. He died in September of 1863 in service to his country at Vicksburg, MS.
His mother, Sophie, had saved the government death benefits she received all the years after Ernst died. Wanting to provide a home for others like herself, she donated the money and her family’s farmland to build das Alten und Waisenheim—the Aged and Orphans’ Home. Now more than a century later, Sophie’s gift continues to benefit countless lives.
Make a difference. No matter your role at The Lutheran Home Association, you have the opportunity to share eternal hope, provide hope and inspire hope through the work you do. Visit info.tlha.org/careers today to start a career with compassion.