2017 Veterans Day Parade Theme
​Saluting the Rich Military History of Gowen Field 

2017 GRAND MARSHALS

Grand Marshal, Clair Kilton, WWII

Clair Kilton, Lieutenant, U.S. Army (World War II era)
Born in Ashland, WI, in 1918, Clair Kilton began active duty with the U.S. Army in March 1943. After boot camp at Fort Benning, GA, Officer Candidate School at Camp Swift, TX, and prep time in England, Clair arrived in Normandy, France five days after the landing. Clair was a platoon Leader in both rifle and heavy weapons company and responsible for training and security of a platoon of approximately 50 men. On August 1st , Clair received a bullet wound in his left arm in the hedge rows of France. After recuperating in England, he returned to active duty in October 1944. He fought in battles in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Germany. By the time Clair was discharged in September 1945, he had received decorations, including the European-African- Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal with five battle stars, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. In civilian life, Clair started his own photography business. His wife of 68 years, passed away in April 2017.

Grand Marshal, Harold Kwan, Korea

Harold Kwan, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (Korean War era)
Born in Oakland, CA, in 1930, Harold Kwan entered the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in June 1948. With 2 years in the reserve plus one summer camp, he qualified for active service without having to go to boot camp. (Harold termed it “OJT:” on-the-job training). After being called to active duty in July 1950, Harold was sent to Korea. While there from September 1950 to June 1951, Harold was pulled off the front line and given radio repair tasks. "We don't want our guys mistaking you for the enemy". He participated in the Inchon Landing, push to Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, and Central Korea. Harold was released from active duty in January 1952, and ended his time in the Reserve in July 1957.Harold is a member of  the "Chosin Few". In civilian life, Harold was in the engineering field, serving as a draftsman and a Configuration Management Specialist until he retired in 2003. His wife, Mayumi, recently passed away, but he has three children and five grandchildren.

Grand Marshal, Ken Rodgers, Vietnam

Ken Rodgers, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps (Vietnam War era)
Born in Casa Grande, AZ, in 1947, Ken Rodgers went to boot camp in October 1966 at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. From boot camp, Ken went to Infantry Training Regiment at Camp San Onofre at Camp Pendleton in December. On March 1967, Ken joined the 1 st Battalion, 26 th Marine Regiment at Hill 55, southwest of Danang in the Republic of Vietnam. In May 1967, his unit, Bravo Company, deployed to the Khe Sanh TAOR and he remained there until rotating back to the U.S. in April 1968. While at Khe Sanh, Ken’s unit was prominently involved in the 77-day Siege of Khe Sanh, where he was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in action. After returning stateside, he was released from active duty in November 1969. In his civilian life, Ken and his wife, Betty, directed and produced the award-winning documentary film, Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor, about Ken’s company of Marines during the Siege of Khe Sanh. 

Grand Marshal, Tom Mahoney, Desert Storm

Thomas Mahoney, Colonel, US Air Force Reserve, Retired (Desert Storm era)
Born in Omaha, NE, Thomas Mahoney earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1979. He entered navigator training in 1983 and began a flying career with F-111s at RAF Lakenheath. A follow-on assignment to EF-111s at Mountain Home AFB resulted in his first combat duty—the opening mission of Operation Desert Storm. Later Thomas graduated at the top of his class at the USAF Test Pilot School. His next assignment to Eglin AFB, Florida, allowed him to test future weapons and electronics on F-111s, EF-111s, and F15Es. His last assignment on active duty was working on the Air Staff at the Pentagon. In 1999, Thomas switched to the Air Force Reserve, where he served as an assistant to a Brigadier General in the Pentagon and then as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer at Boise Air Terminal, Gowen Field. After accumulating 2,300 flying hours in 25 aircraft types, Tom retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2006. His awards included a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Aerial Achievement medals. Today his professional interests include being a partner in Trolley House Ventures and serving on four non-profit boards. Tom currently lives In Boise with his wife, Dr. Valerie Holst, and two teenage boys