Rubey family to be honored for military service

NU family has

119 years of

military service

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Military and government service has been a way of life for Vern Rubey and his family.

They will be recognized at several events this weekend at the 135th Infantry Regiment of the Minnesota National Guard reunion Saturday in Mankato.

The event will be held in conjunction with the dedication of a $7 million Training and Community Center formerly known as the Mankato Armory.

Rubey will be honored at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans Recognition Salute following the facility dedication. He served 41 years, eight months and six days -- second-most in the unit.

Rubey's government service totals 56 years. Since retiring in 1988, he has been Region 6 Chairman of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), making three-day Bosslift trips with corporate executives to military bases around the country.

He is the head of a three-generation military service family of six with 119 years of uninterrupted combined service in the National Guard, Army Reserve and active duty. The Rubeys will be one of five families honored at the reunion banquet Saturday night at the Midwest Wireless Center.

Rubey was one of the first to enlist in the reorganized Minnesota National Guard following World War II. He joined the Service Company of the 135th Infantry Regiment in New Ulm in April 1947.

The unit went on active duty with the 47th Division in 1951, and Rubey served nearly a year in Korea with the artillery battalion. After returning to the States, he remained on active duty with Minnesota National Guard until he retired as a Command Sergeant Major (E9).

His son Gary served 25 years in the National Guard, retiring as a Major; son Patrick served in the National Guard for 27 years, retiring as a Sergeant First Class; granddaughter Jill (Rubey) Boyles served seven years in the Minnesota and Oregon Army National Guard; granddaughter Mary (Rubey) Dana served seven years and is still in the Minnesota National Guard; and grandson Mark is in his sixth year and continues to serve in the Headquarters Battery of the 1st BN, 125th Field Artillery in New Ulm.

Vern Rubey's brother Joseph, who died in 1958, served with the New Ulm unit during the Korean mobilization. A brother-in-law, Donald Fiebiger of New Ulm, served 23 years with the National Guard in New Ulm. He participated in 10 major World War II battle campaigns. Son-in-law Rick Block served four years in the Navy.

Gerald Wright of Stillwater, who served with New Ulm's Service Company at Camp Rucker, Ala. served 39 years and is expected at the reunion. Seven persons to attend the reunion served in the National Guard for 38 years or more.

The 135th Infantry will celebrate more than 140 years of service to Minnesota and the nation in the Bond of Generations reunion at the new training center. Picnics will be held Friday and Saturday followed by a farewell breakfast and memorial service Sunday. For more information, contact Herb Schaper at 507-359-9009.