When 20-year-old Jon Hovde left his hometown of Fertile, Minnesota, to serve in the Vietnam War, he had no idea how profoundly his life would change. In 1967, his armored vehicle struck an anti-tank mine, an explosion so powerful it tore through steel and cost him his left leg and arm. Doctors did not expect him to survive. Lying on an ice blanket in a military hospital, Jon made three promises to God: he would one day own the fastest car in Polk County, he would never depend on the government for his livelihood, and he would devote his life to making a difference for others.
Like many Vietnam veterans, Jon carried scars far deeper than his physical injuries. But he also carried determination. Back home in Fertile, he built a life with his wife, Darlene, raising two children and eventually five grandchildren. He became a leader in his community, serving on the school board, his church board, the local fair committee, and as president of the Minnesota State School Board. He also became a powerful voice for his fellow veterans, joining the American Legion, the VFW, and the Disabled American Veterans.
Jon passed away in 2018, but his story lives on in Fertile and beyond. Linda from his hometown tells us that his courage and generosity left a mark that still binds the community together, a legacy that continues to inspire long after his final homecoming.