Skip’s ‘Bucket List Dream’ begins…

One of the mottos of Bucket List Dreams (BLD) is “Bravo Zulu.” This is an old military term meaning ‘a job well done’. When people choose to serve others, it can be considered a job well done but it can also be a reflection of a life well done. We are proud to introduce you to Norman Maitland… here is his story.

Norm came to the attention of BLD when he was being recognized by Foundation 14. Foundation 14 is a non-profit and provides motorcycles to combat veterans. During the events which accompany the giving of a motorcycle, Foundation 14 also recognizes others who exemplify service and those serving the Veterans community. On that day, Norm was being recognized and his reaction to that recognition was stirring. Here is a humble man who served and who has lived a good life, but until this Foundation 14 event, no one had ever recognized his service and sacrifice. He was moved and very appreciative. We at BLD felt that Norm deserved even more. Thus, Norm will receive his Bucket List Dream. Below is what was learned at the Foundation 14 event:

Norman “Skip” Maitland served honorably for four years in the United States Navy from August 1967 until August 1970. During his tour, he was deployed to Vietnam for a combat tour from May 1969 to May 1970.

Petty Officer “Skip” served the United States Navy as a River Patrol Boat Engineer attached to River Division 593. Under the 593, Skip carried out 352 combat patrols in several operations and engaged with the enemy on 31 separate occasions.

He has been awarded two Navy Commendation medals with Distinguished Combat Device, with Valor for distinguishing himself in combat through his courage under fire as well as his devotion to his duty and his brothers in combat.

He has been awarded the Bronze Star with Distinguishing Combat Device for actions conducted on 2 August 1969. His patrol was scrambled to rescue an Army Recon Patrol that was engaged in combat and surrounded by approximately 60 enemy personnel. Skip kept himself in an exposed firing position while under heavy enemy machine gun fire. He provided cover fire for the entire operation until the Army Recon Patrol rescue was completed.

Skip and his wonderful and supporting wife, Mary, celebrated their 50th anniversary in May of 2021. Together they have raised a beautiful and caring daughter, Shelly Maitland, who they have forged into a strong and independent woman. Skip’s daughter, Shelly, has devoted her life to the help and care of motorcycle accident victims, and her business, Michigan Biker Law, has devoted much of their time and efforts to honoring veterans and their families when they find themselves in times of need.

Skip is a very passionate Warfighter, still to this day. The care he holds in his heart for his fellow Warfighters is evident through his documented actions to risk his own life for his fellow brothers in Vietnam and is felt by younger generations of Warfighters to whom he offers his ear and kind words of empathy.

Norman “Skip” Maitland is a living example of whate the word HONOR means what it means to us today… Thank You for Your Service Skip…

More details of Norm’s Bucket List Dream will follow as events unfold. Norm’s BLD ‘story’ will take place over the next several months, so please return in the future to learn more about the details as they happen. But in the short-term, please read the most recent posts.

Part One of Norm’s Bucket List Journey.

It is all too easy to get caught up in the negatives and neglect to see the positives in the human existence, and to fail to remember that there are truly generous, kind, and wonderful people in our world. Lloyd and Laurie Hilligoss are two of those people. Lloyd and Laurie have generously offered to sponsor Norm’s Bucket List Dream. We at BLD acknowledge their generosity and feel privileged to have them as BLD supporters.

In September Bruce Banning and Drew Cummings, members of the Board of Directors of BLD, met with Norm and his family at a restaurant. Norm’s daughter told him that a group of folks were getting together for conversation and dinner and that we had some Bucket List Beans coffees to give him. Norm and his wife, Mary, were totally surprised and shocked when they were told that BLD was sending them to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Norm admittedly states that he had never visited the wall, in part, because he has a difficult time even visiting the Moving Wall. He had indicated to his daughter that he has reached a point in his life that he feels he needs to make the pilgrimage. His daughter had earlier made the request that arrangements be made for Norm to make the trip. It was a wonderful evening but one thing that struck the Bucket List Dreams representatives was when he asked Norm how he would like to make the trip. Would he like to go with family, with other vets… maybe a buddy? Without hesitation Norm immediately turned to Mary and said, “I have to do this with my best friend… it can only be Mary.”

Part Two, Planning Meeting With Norm.

In October a planning session was held with Norm to start formulating the plan for Norm’s Bucket List Dream. The scope of Norm’s Bucket List Dream will include a trip to visit a PDR… the same type and class of boat that Norm served on. The Boat is a restoration that has been completed by Operation Black Sheep… visit them at operationblacksheep.org. Visit Norm’s story again for updates to Part Two. 

UPDATE!
Unfortunately, Skip has not been able to complete his Bucket List Dream.

 
We at Bucket List Dreams have decided to keep Norm’s Dream open and on-hold. No one knows what the future holds and should Skip’s situation change, we intend to be there with his Dream waiting. We feel that is a fitting way to honor this great man.
 
We stay in touch with Skip regularly because he is a permanent part of the Bucket List family. In order to let Skip know that we are thinking about him, we have sent a few ‘gifts’… unique items related to his service aboard a river patrol boat in Vietnam. Recently, we developed a tiger striped BDU jumper from the Vietnam War for him. He sent us a picture of him with it on. We had the name and US Navy tags made then we added shoulder patches (Swift Boat and River Rats) along with a Vietnam Service patch and of course, a Bucket List Dreams patch.
 
We will continue to honor this great man. He is the living example of ‘BRAVO ZULU’… a job well done. We remain hopeful that we will see more of Skip in the near future and will always be there for him.
 
Thank you Norm for your service, for being who you are and for allowing us to tell your story. 
 
The Board of Directors, Bucket List Dreams

Bucket List Dreams is a non-profit organization created to tell the stories of US Military Veterans and wherever possible, to fulfill their Bucket List Dreams. This story will not end with a Bucket List Dream. The person of whom we write has long since passed away. This story is not about an Audey Murphy type war hero. It is not really a war story but rather it is about one of America’s finest… a man who stepped up to serve during the Second World War.

This is more a story about romance, commitment, hard work and a man ‘who did life well’. This is a story that every young person should read because Jim represents all that a man should be. His life was not about ‘him’. It was about service, sacrifice, dedication, determination, and commitment… to the very end he provided for and was dedicated to his wife and family. America would be a much better place if we would raise up more like him.

Jim was raised in Arkansas City, Kansas. He was the youngest of four children… one brother and two sisters. Walter Banning, his father, was a house painter among other types of work. His mother, like all the truly great women of the Greatest Generation had one mission in life… to make a home for her family and to raise her children… no day care here, just a fully dedicated and engaged mother who loved her work. Jim, like all young children, went to school, played sports, worked on his elder sister’s farm and in his other sister’s bakery. He learned early on how to work. The family lived through the Great Depression, and as difficult as it was, they survived. To sum it up, Jim was taught all the values, the disciplines, the determinations, and the commitments of the “Greatest Generation”.

This is where our story really starts. Jim, like many young men in WWII was graduated from high school early so that he could go into the military. Jim’s older brother, Walter ‘Dub’ Banning, Jr. was already in the Army and was fighting with the infamous ‘Devil’s Brigade’. Dub went on to be seriously wounded in Anzio. At age 17, Jim received his diploma and immediately left for boot camp with the US Navy. He walked away from his high school sweetheart and went to war. Because of his experience in the family bakery, he was made a baker. Boot Camp, baking school, and he was off to Europe. Specifically, a Naval base in Plymouth, England.

Arriving in England was his introduction to war because Plymouth was the single most bombed city during the ‘Blitz’. Jim would remain in Plymouth until the end of the war. He performed well… seaman, to Third Class Petty Officer and on to Second Class and even First Class. He would establish a life-long friendship with George Jones… another sailor stationed with him and who was a very funny guy. George kept Jim and his family to come, entertained for literally decades.

Like every other military man in history, Jim lived for the times he could ‘get into town’. Plymouth was a typical English city full of British culture and of course, the fantastic English people. This was long before the British Culture was ‘erased’ by globalism. The pubs, the food, the vehicles, the architecture, were all distinctively British. Jim loved it. He loved to especially visit a certain bakery. Yes, the baked goods were good… basic because baking materials were limited and often hard to come by, but still the final product was good. The bakery essentially produced the ‘staples’ of wartime life for Plymouth residents.

But it was not the baked goods that drew Jim. It was the pretty young girl who worked the counter… Doreen Chappell. Shortly after meeting Doreen, Jim wrote to his family and told them that he had met the girl he intended to marry. Doreen on the other hand, was living under specific directions from her father; “You go with Englishmen or none at all… you do not go with Yanks.” When Jim told Doreen about what he had told his family, Doreen was highly offended. She said, “Who do you think you are? I’m not marrying any bloomin’ Yank”.

Jim had a real challenge on his hands… a father who had forbid his daughter to see Yanks and a daughter who respected her father enough to follow his directives. He did not give up, however. He had made up his mind, so he persisted. Over time he began to break down the resistance. Bringing food and critical supplies to a family in the most attacked city in Britain helped. As Doreen’s family began to warm up to the Yank, courting began. Jim and Doreen dated and eventually decided to marry. With family and US Navy blessings, arrangements were made. It was not all that easy in that the church they had booked for the wedding was bombed and destroyed. A different church was found, and it all came together on July 28, 1945.

The war had made this wedding difficult. While dating Jim, Doreen showed up one morning at the bakery for work only to find that the front of the building had been blown off in a German attack. Fortunately, they could still bake. Moving forward, customers were served from where the windows used to be. On another occasion, Jim, on his way to see Doreen, was running down a street while the building fronts on the other side of the street were being blown out by a German strafing run. The Germans attacked Doreen’s neighborhood one night and a house just a few doors down was hit. The entire family was killed, and their infant child was found hanging over an overhead wire.

Not to mention the losses… friends from their workplaces, their neighborhood, and extended family being killed and wounded while fighting overseas. These were terrible times, but the Greatest Generation were ‘strong’ people… so strong that they could plan, enjoy, and celebrate amidst the tragedy all around them.

Seven months after being married, Doreen left England on the now infamous “War Bride Ship.” The Queen Elizabeth ferried 6,000 war brides from across Europe to the US. The trip had been arranged by the US Military to ensure that these families had a good chance at life in the US. Jim, because he had to return on a troop ship, had gone ahead. Jim was already in Kansas and was busy preparing a home for his wife to arrive. Doreen arrived in New York and made her way across the US to Arkansas City, Kansas.

Shortly after arriving in Monroe, Jim and Doreen met Al and Margaret McMullen. Al had been a Sargent in the Air Force in England and Margaret was his war bride wife. The two couples established a lifelong bond… Doreen and Margaret were like sisters. They raised their children together, they attended the same church, and they provided friendship and comfort for each other. Both Doreen and Margaret had to cope with being in a new country with family back in England. They each had three children who all grew up together.

Holidays were spent together as one big family. Christmas Eve was always very special… church and off to Margaret’s house for great food and family enjoyment. Then it was everyone home to a much-anticipated Christmas morning. Over the years other members of the Chappell family would immigrate to the US and join the Bannings in Monroe, MI. The Bannings would raise three sons. Two of the Banning boys went on to serve in the military during the Vietnam War.

There is so much more to James Banning’s story. With all the details, it is truly a story worthy of a Hollywood movie… much more worthy than most of what Hollywood produces today. This is a story of one US Military Veteran who stepped up to serve, and after serving his country, served his family and his friends for the rest of his life. He did his part to build the once great USA. He helped to give us the 1950’s… the single most wonderful time to be alive in America.

There is no greater story of achievement available in the human experience than the amazing people of the Greatest Generation. Very few were the Hollywood type heroes, but rather most did much more. They, including Jim, did life the right way… men and women alike. It was a job ‘well done’. As we say at Bucket List Dreams, “BRAVO ZULU”.

Shawn “Cookie” Halleck, age 40, served in the Army from 2000 until 2015. He served two combat deployments and one overseas tour. His duty stations were Fort Polk, Louisiana; Seoul, South Korea; Fort Lee, Virginia; Recruiting Station Jackson, Michigan; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Iraq; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Afghanistan.

Shawn came to the attention of Bucket List Dreams through an ‘insider’ if you will. Bucket List Dreams exists to provide meaningful experiences for GREAT people. Our definition of ‘great’ is people who willingly step up to serve and thus exemplify a ‘life well done.’ This does not mean that they necessarily achieve things which society may label great or that they are famous. To Bucket List Dreams, a great person is someone who serves, puts family first, is a provider who never gives up on trying to do the right things—things that are good for family, friends, our communities, and the traditional American way. The Bucket List Dreams Motto is “Bravo Zulu,” an old military term meaning ‘a job well done.’ To Bucket List, living a good life regardless of achievements or notoriety is a job well done. Bravo Zulu.

Shawn Halleck is one of these people. This is what Shawn’s ‘insider,’ Julie Watrous, says about him: “Shawn currently works for Clemens Food Group in Coldwater, Michigan. With Shawn, it’s all about taking care of and protecting his family and others. He was all about that when in the service… ‘to Serve and Protect’… and now as a civilian, he is still about protecting, providing, and making sure all is taken care of in his life.”

“Shawn is a very caring and compassionate person. He does his best for others when he can and still has the ‘Army’ ethics in all he does. He does not know how to do things for himself because he always puts others first. He will always do what needs to be done to provide for his family and to help others… and he is always there for another Vet.”

Shawn is a native of Pittsford, Michigan. He joined the Army the second day of his Senior year in High School. He joined because he viewed it as a way out of Pittsford, and the Army gave him the opportunity to do what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to become a Chef without having to pay tuition costs at a university. When he joined, his plan was to do his initial contract of three years and get out to start his own restaurant. However, he fell in love with the Army! Then 9/11 happened, and his world changed.

“There is no greater love than that of a man who would lay down his life for a brother.” This quote is a reworded bible verse (John 15:13), and it describes how Shawn always felt about being in the Army. Shawn told his insider, “I will always bleed green.” Shawn considers himself ‘insanely’ lucky to have served this country. He says he loves America and every opportunity ‘she’ has given him. Shawn loved the Army because without the trials and tribulations while in the Army and the influence of those experiences upon his life, he can’t imagine where he would be today. It was a growth and self-improvement opportunity, and Shawn seized it.

Shawn’s insider says, “He is very strong… strong for himself and his family, and he never gives up.” When Shawn got out of the Army, he wanted to work with Vets because no one knows or understands being a Vet like a Vet does. No matter when or how a person serves, he or she just ‘gets it.’ Shawn was approached about starting a group for Vets with PTSD—enter ‘Reboot’ workshops, which help Veterans and their families transition into civilian life. When he went through the course himself, he realized a lot about himself, and the course also helped his family. So much so that he became a course facilitator. Though rewarding, Shawn’s ability to participate recently is limited in that he currently is working 50+ hours a week at Clemens Foods.

Shawn recognizes that none of us pass through this life alone. Even though our Bucket List Dreams ‘story’ is about Shawn, he is compelled to acknowledge the people whom he says influenced him and helped shape his life. Shawn wants to let these people know how much he appreciates the many who, through their friendship, love, compassion, brotherhood, and help, have molded him into the man he is today. First and foremost: his Parents (Tom and Donna Halleck): “Mom and Dad, I couldn’t ask for better parents. THANK YOU for ALWAYS being there no matter what time or where you were.”

Shawn’s Children: “Everyday that I get to be your Father is a blessing… you will always be my reason for everything.”

Shawn’s Wife, Kylee: “You got a broken man, and you helped me to heal while building me back up… THANK YOU.”

Julie Watrous: “Your friendship has turned into ‘family.’ Thank you for all you have been and continue to be in my life.”

Crystal: “You went through all of the Army time with me while our lives changed. I am still happy to call you family and am forever grateful for your dedication while we served this country.”

Zack Damron: “Brother, there are no words. Your leadership and friendship will always be forefront in my mind. Thank you for always being the first call and, most times, last call I have to make.”

“Some of the greatest men and women I have ever known have stood beside me and were true leaders. These people taught me, showed me the way, and guided me into becoming the man I am today, and to you all, I am so very thankful.”

“This Bucket List Dreams trip came at the perfect time. As my wife and I engage in and enjoy this adventure, I am making it with certain people in mind and dedicating it to… my brothers who I lost in combat. Know this: I live every day as completely as I can in your honor as I know you would do.”

Shawn “Cookie” Halleck is the father of seven children, two from his first marriage to Crystal and five from his marriage to Kylee. He is employed at Clemens Food Group, Jonesville, MI. Shawn was Honorably Discharged in 2015. During his nearly 15 years of service, he received numerous commendations and citations. With all the above said, Shawn’s Bucket List Dream begins!

Shawn and his wife will be traveling to Beaver Island, Michigan. ‘Stay tuned’ for pictures and commentary as Shawn and Kylee’s adventures play out. We at Bucket List Dreams wish to thank both Shawn and Kylee. We are truly honored to know you, and we very much appreciate the privilege of telling your story. We hope that you have a wonderful time!

Shawn’s Bucket List Dream was to ‘escape’ with his wife… to step away from the stress and hard work for a while and to ‘regroup,’ if you will. Bucket List Dreams was pleased to accommodate this request with a trip to Beaver Island, Michigan. If you wish to get away from it all, Beaver Island is the perfect place.

Shawn’s trip began with a ‘celebration dinner’—‘celebration’ meaning that we at Bucket List are about ‘celebrating a life well done,’ so we always start a dream with fun and food. We met to recognize Shawn, his service, and to discuss the arrangements made for Shawn and Kylee. At the dinner were Julie Watrous, the ‘insider’ who brought Shawn to our attention; of course, Shawn and Kylee; Andrea Oetjens and her husband, Jere, who is a Bucket List Dreams Volunteer Event Planner; and Bruce and Paula Banning, with Bruce being the Bucket List Dreams Secretary.

Well, it is November, and last month, Shawn and Kylee were able to enjoy their much-needed retreat. Bucket List Dreams is truly honored to have been able to provide this ‘escape’ for this deserving US Army Veteran. Shawn served us for 15 years, so we are thrilled to have been able to recognize him for that service. Here is how the trip began:

Shawn and Kylee enjoyed an all-expense-paid trip provided by Bucket List Dreams and the following kind and generous residents of Beaver Island:

• Lodging: Beaver Island Lodge graciously provided a ‘Fall Color’ stay which included:    
  • Lodging in the Lakefront Lodge Room
  • Basket of Wine and Goodies
  • Continental Breakfast Daily
  • 1 Day Bicycle Rental for 2
  • 1 Day Package Lunch
  • 3 Hour Island Color and Historical Tour
  • Round Trip Transfers
   
• Transportation: Beaver Island Boat Company provided a ride on “the Big Boat,” with round trip tickets for 2.
• Golf: Beaver Island Golf Course, known for “A Wee Bit of Scotland on the Emerald Isle,” provided:    
  • A Round of Golf for 2  
  • Golf Cart 
   
• Whisky Point Brewing Company: Provided a gift certificate to ensure a sampling of island-made craft beverages, including a dinner with drinks.
• Additional Support: Bucket List Dreams provided a Visa Gift Card to cover all other expenses, including gas, other meals, and miscellaneous needs.

At the end of the trip, Shawn posted the following on Facebook: “We’re on the boat!!! Meeting the sweetest people along the way! Thank you Bruce and everyone involved in making this happen.”

We at Bucket List Dreams want to thank Shawn for allowing us to tell his story. Please keep Shawn and Kylee in your prayers, and we wish them the best of luck in the future… may they carry the memory of their Bucket List Dream with them.

Shawn’s wife’s comments after the trip:

“We wanted to say THANK YOU again for giving us the opportunity to be able to experience Beaver Island. We have never been to a place where the people (literally ALL OF THE PEOPLE) were kind, sweet, and made you feel like you were coming home, and they all appreciate that you’re there. We had a gentleman pull over and offer us a ride because it was dark. We said no thank you as we were really enjoying just being in nature and with one another. So he left, and about 2 maybe 3 minutes later Sheriff Joe stopped to make sure we were good and to see if we would like a ride. The gentleman thought we said no cause he was a stranger and asked Joe to double-check! LIKE WHAT?! And it wasn’t just that one time. Everywhere you went, people were looking out for one another, and while you are there, it includes you. This is something Shawn and I have never seen. We literally walked 25+ miles and rode a little over 40 on the bikes. It was the most amazing weekend. Shawn is over the moon. Which we got to see, along with shooting stars and lots of darkness. No northern lights, but that’s okay. We hiked to the tallest point on the island. Let me tell ya, going down is way better! Lol. Thank you again. I’ve taken hundreds of pictures.”

Richard Shafer was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1971. He has an older brother, a half brother and a younger sister. In 1989 Rich graduated from Dundee High School, Dundee, Michigan. One week later, he left for Army Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After Basic Training, he was trained in aviation electronics… MOS - 68Q. After training he was sent to Mainz Finthen Army Airfield in Germany. His time in Germany was momentous in that he was there when President Reagan went to the Berlin Wall and prompted its destruction. Rich remained in Germany throughout the Gulf War. Eventually, Rich was transferred to Hunter Army Air Field, Savanna, Georgia. He was then deployed to Somalia during the Somali Conflict and while there he served with the 10th Mountain Division.

The situation in Somalia was intended to be a humanitarian mission but it turned into a war. It was yet another example of how politicians use our military for temporary strategies. If we are going to send our finest to conduct war, then declare it. And follow through with one objective a complete and total victory. Anything less is a waste of American lives… our young military people who step up and serve. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan… every conflict since WWII has been the same… as Rich says it, “they chew us up and spit us out”. A Vietnam Veteran is writing Rich's story on his behalf and the issues and emotions Rich was forced to deal with are exactly the same as the authors… 20 years later our politicians military abuse and walk away when things get tough has not changed a thing.

When Rich returned people asked him where he had been and when he said “Somalia”, he was faced with blank stares. People have no idea there had been a war. Nor could they relate to what had happened there. Rich would have to reference the movie, “Blackhawk Down” in order to help people to understand what war he was speaking of. How ironic is that, we send our finest to fight a war which required many of them to pay the ultimate sacrifice, and we need to reference a Hollywood movie to help the public understand. A ‘movie’ becomes the frame of reference for the public instead of the war and the Veteran. It is not right nor is it fair to do this to our military, but remote often undeclared war continues to take place… maybe someday the politicians will stop their irresponsible and corrupt governing. But, in the short term it is the great people like Rich Shafer who responded when called. There was a time when the individual soldier went to war for “God and country”. Now every military action experienced since WWII, the solider now goes to war out of concern for his ‘Brothers in Arms’… they take the risk together and for each other… not for the incompetent ones in Washington. Because of the walk away actions by our politicians. Our soldiers are left to try and understand why they went to battle and to try to explain it to others. A war that is neither… understandable nor explainable. They respond, however, because they are ‘servers’ and we, the American people, owe them far more than we could ever pay… thus, this IS why Bucket List Dreams exists… we are trying to recognize and celebrate these great people… the Rich shafer’s of America.

Rich was discharged in 1994 and went on to serve 3 years in the National Guard. Rich currently lives in Maybee, Michigan. He has two children… a daughter and a son. He is also blessed with two grandchildren. Rich hopes to retire soon from Ford Motor Company. He enjoys riding his motorcycle and volunteers a great amount of time to Foundation 14, a non-profit that raises money and provides custom built motorcycles to disabled Veterans. Rich’s Bucket List Dream Rich is a huge motorcycle enthusiast. His dream has always been to go to the Isle of Mann to attend the TT Motorcycle Races. Bucket List Dreams intends to see that Rich will fulfill his Dream. We at Bucket List Dreams encourage you to, from time to time, check in on Rich’s ‘story’ for updates. And, please donate or purchase Bucket List Dreams merchandise so that we can continue to celebrate ‘Bravo Zulu’… “a job well done”.