Honoring Our Veterans
This page is dedicated to honoring the Veterans in our community for their service and telling their stories.
What Tom Brokaw referred to as "The Greatest Generation" is quickly declining in number. This, of course, refers to not only our World War II Veterans but also to the families that supported those veterans in the war effort. These are some of the veteran's personal stories pertaining to their own war efforts. It's the club's hope that should you be so inclined, you will reach out individually to these veterans and get to know them a little better.
We will start with the World War II Veterans as we do not want to lose their stories. The goal is then to get stories from all Sunflower Veterans. Click on the veterans name below their picture to read that veteran's story.
Arnie Seppe: From Crypto Operator to Business Leader
Arnie Seppe’s journey of service and success began in 1960, when he joined the United States Air Force Reserve as a Crypto Operator with the 143rd Communications Squadron in Washington State. His military path started with basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he developed the discipline and technical skills that would shape his future. He served honorably until 1966, contributing to the nation’s defense during a time of heightened global tensions. Following his service, Arnie pursued higher education, earning a business degree that became the foundation of his professional career. He entered the corporate world specializing in turnarounds, helping struggling companies stabilize and grow. His ability to bring order to chaos and restore confidence in businesses quickly earned him a strong reputation. One of the most unique opportunities of his career came when he was recruited by one of the “Big Eight” accounting firms. Arnie was tasked with applying Critical Path Method scheduling to projects in Hawaii. What was supposed to be a four-month assignment turned into a memorable experience for his family—though his children soon joked that they had grown tired of daily trips to the beach. After retiring from his corporate role, Arnie shifted gears and pursued real estate alongside his son. Together, they began buying and flipping houses, turning undervalued properties into thriving homes. This venture not only provided business success but also strengthened the bond between father and son. Eventually, Arnie settled into retirement in Arizona, closing a remarkable chapter of service, business leadership, and family partnership. His story reflects the discipline of military service, the innovation of business strategy, and the fulfillment of working side by side with family.
