
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.

U.S. Navy 1st class Petty Officer, Larry Schierer: A Legacy of Service and Electronics
Larry Schierer graduated from high school in 1968, during a time when the draft was imminent. Weighing his options, he found the U.S. Navy offered the most promising path for a career in advanced electronics. After completing boot camp in San Diego, Larry embarked on an intensive 48-week advanced electronics program, specializing in math and science. His commitment to this training required a six-year enlistment. Larry’s first assignment took him to Guam Naval Communication Station, where he served for two years. His dedication led him to re-enlist for additional schooling, further solidifying his engineering expertise. His next chapter was aboard the USS White Plains, a supply ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan. Larry’s service included participation in one of history’s pivotal moments: the fall of Saigon. Positioned off the Vietnamese coast, his ship assisted in processing refugees bound for the United States via the Philippines. He completed his service at Alameda Naval Air Station. After 8 years and 9 months of honorable service, Larry was discharged in Alameda, California. Transitioning to civilian life, he leveraged his skills to build a successful electronics career, first in Phoenix and later in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Today, Larry resides in the Sunflower Community, where his remarkable journey as a seaman, engineer, and patriot inspires all. His contributions, both in uniform and beyond, embody the spirit of service, making him a valued member of the community and a true American hero.