ND Veterans Affairs News: State

Aug 2020 - Oct 2025:  Loan & Grant Officer, NDDVA

Feb 2015 - Aug 2019:  Cass County Veterans Service Officer

Sep 2013 - Jan 2015:  State Service Officer, NDDVA

Jul 1987 - Aug 2013:  US Army, Active-Duty.  

Spc. Ferderer was the son of Dennis Sr. and Claudina Ferderer, and had one brother. He began his Army career after graduating from New Salem High School in 2003. His unit had been in Iraq for about nine months. Known as "DJ," he grew up on a dairy farm and dreamed of being a soldier, said his parents, Dennis Sr. and Claudina. "DJ was planning on making the military his career and then take over the farm," John Ferderer said of his brother. "He didn't say much, but when he did, he made people laugh," Jessica Roll, a family friend, said. Compiled from Associated Press reports.

Spc. Hermanson, who was single, has a sister, Lindsey, of Fargo. The 2002 Fargo North graduate attended North Dakota State University for two semesters before and after his military training. He enlisted in the Guard in 2002. After basic training, he was assigned to Headquarters Support Company of the 142nd Engineer Combat Battalion in Fargo as a technical engineer, the Guard said. Fargo North principal Andy Dahlen said Hermanson was interested in art, and never got into trouble in school. Compiled from Associated Press reports.

Pfc. Monroe, a vehicle mechanic, was the son of Bernadette Monroe and the late Jefferey Monroe, of Bismarck. He was a 2002 graduate of Bismarck High School with a younger sister, Caitlyn and brother, Nicholas. Judi Mackie was Monroe's friend and boss at the Pretzelmaker, a food kiosk in a Bismarck mall. She said he had worked there three years before joining the military. Mackie told The Bismarck Tribune she tried to talk Monroe out of joining the Army, but it was something he wanted to do. "Tony loved Bismarck and really, really loved North Dakota," Mackie said.

Spc. Wentz, who was single, enlisted in the Guard in November 2000, with Company B of the 164th Engineer Combat Battalion. He was promoted from private first class to specialist the day before he was killed. He was the son of Kenneth and Joyce Wentz, of Williston, and had two grown brothers. Compiled from Associated Press reports. Retrieved 10/01/2013 from "Honor the Fallen." Army Spc. Cody L. Wentz| Military Times

Jamestown High School Principal Larry Ukestad and Bill Nold, assistant principal, said Brown played football, basketball and baseball. He also was the disc jockey for some school dances. "He enjoyed life in general," Ukestad said. "He had kind of a magnetism, charisma about him," Nold said. Many people knew him from Jack Brown Stadium, which is named after his grandfather. "He was always a fixture," Nold said. "If it wasn't chasing a fly ball it was selling a hot dog."

Staff Sgt. Koeing was a 1989 graduate of Carrington High School and a former All-American wrestler at North Dakota State. NDSU wrestling coach Bucky Maughan said former Bison wrestlers called him from around the country after hearing the news of Koenigâ's death. "Everybody liked Lance," Maughan said. "He was just one of those nice, easygoing guys." Koenig finished second in the NCAA Division II national wrestling tournament as a sophomore and sixth as a junior. Maughan said Koenig joined the National Guard to help pay for college expenses.