Independence High School Alumni
Independence, Kansas (KS)
Recent Members
| Crystal Walker | 2018 |
| Denise Messenger | 1993 |
| Don Gilmore | 1962 |
| Eric Adams | 1993 |
| Jaedyn Ollar Jaedyn Ollar | 2021 |
| Maxine Jarrett | 1955 |
| Terry Smith | 1976 |
| Toni Meade | 1982 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Independence High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Bulldogs lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Allen Hammer
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Weapons specialist.Served in Japan,Korea, Germany,White Sands New Mexico
Class of 1967
Air Force, 4 Years
Weapons specialist.Served in Japan,Korea, Germany,White Sands New Mexico
Anita Starns (Wells)
Class of 1965
Air Force, 18 Years
First 5 yrs was a Jet Engine Mechanic. Cross trained into Personnel for the last 13 years. Served in Calif the whole 18 years.
Class of 1965
Air Force, 18 Years
First 5 yrs was a Jet Engine Mechanic. Cross trained into Personnel for the last 13 years. Served in Calif the whole 18 years.
Bruce Roby
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Drafted in 1969 and served with 1st Inf. Div. Fwd.
Class of 1963
Army, 2 Years
Drafted in 1969 and served with 1st Inf. Div. Fwd.
Bruce Saichompoo
Class of 1981
Army, 3 Years
Served from 1989 to 1992, during the Persian Gulf War.
Class of 1981
Army, 3 Years
Served from 1989 to 1992, during the Persian Gulf War.
Chad Follmer
Class of 1999
Marine Corps, 10 Years
Served as a Supply and Logistics Tech, deployed in 2002 for services in support of OEF.
Class of 1999
Marine Corps, 10 Years
Served as a Supply and Logistics Tech, deployed in 2002 for services in support of OEF.
Christopher J. Schulz
Class of 2003
Army, 9 Years
Sargeant in the Military Police. Now stationed in Mons,Belgium.
Class of 2003
Army, 9 Years
Sargeant in the Military Police. Now stationed in Mons,Belgium.
Danny Darnell
Class of 1954
Army, 20+ Years
SFC retired after 33 years human Resourse Mgnt.
Class of 1954
Army, 20+ Years
SFC retired after 33 years human Resourse Mgnt.
Danny Dotterer
Class of 1967
Navy, 20 Years
Joined the US Navy in 1971, 13 October, after attending Nuclear Power School in CA I was assigned to Purdue University for 2 years after that it was time to go to the fleet in Norfolk, VA. Received a commission in 1982 and continued my career in Norfolk, VA. stationed aboard a floating Drydock, and more ships before retiring in 1992.
Class of 1967
Navy, 20 Years
Joined the US Navy in 1971, 13 October, after attending Nuclear Power School in CA I was assigned to Purdue University for 2 years after that it was time to go to the fleet in Norfolk, VA. Received a commission in 1982 and continued my career in Norfolk, VA. stationed aboard a floating Drydock, and more ships before retiring in 1992.
Darrell Malone
Class of 1987
Navy, 19 Years
Currently stationed in Hawaii
Daughter is currently serving in the Air Force
Class of 1987
Navy, 19 Years
Currently stationed in Hawaii
Daughter is currently serving in the Air Force
DON HOPKINS
Class of 1968
Dod, 46 Years
Army - 30 years; plus DoD & Secretary of Defense Staff - 16 years
Class of 1968
Dod, 46 Years
Army - 30 years; plus DoD & Secretary of Defense Staff - 16 years
Edward Jones
Class of 1965
Army, 3 Years
Served 2 years, 10 months and 13 days in Vietnam as an Army photo lab specialist and aerial photographer with the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion at Bien Hoa Air Base. Left the Army as a Specialist 5.
Class of 1965
Army, 3 Years
Served 2 years, 10 months and 13 days in Vietnam as an Army photo lab specialist and aerial photographer with the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion at Bien Hoa Air Base. Left the Army as a Specialist 5.
Edward Jones
Class of 1965
Coast Guard, 18 Years
After serving in the Army 1966-68, and a 20 year break in service, joined the Coast Guard Reserve. 1989-2007. Called to active duty many times during hurricanes, 9-11, Iraq War...
Retired as a Chief Machinery Technician (E-7) in 2007.
Class of 1965
Coast Guard, 18 Years
After serving in the Army 1966-68, and a 20 year break in service, joined the Coast Guard Reserve. 1989-2007. Called to active duty many times during hurricanes, 9-11, Iraq War...
Retired as a Chief Machinery Technician (E-7) in 2007.
Felicia Barbera
Class of 1987
Navy, 12 Years
United States Navy Broadcast Electrician, Mayport Florida, San Diego CA, Naples Italy
Class of 1987
Navy, 12 Years
United States Navy Broadcast Electrician, Mayport Florida, San Diego CA, Naples Italy
Jeffery Harrison
Class of 1985
Army, 8 Years
82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, NC.
Iraq Veteran,
Class of 1985
Army, 8 Years
82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, NC.
Iraq Veteran,
Kent Woods
Class of 2000
Navy, 10 Years
Currently serving at Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE
Class of 2000
Navy, 10 Years
Currently serving at Offutt AFB, Bellevue, NE
Kent Woods
Class of 2000
Navy, 6 Years
Currently serving at Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue, NE
Class of 2000
Navy, 6 Years
Currently serving at Offutt Air Force Base, Bellevue, NE
Laura Kendrick
Class of 2007
Air Force, 1 Years
I enlisted last April and am loving it! I am currently stationed in Wichita Falls, TX to complete tech school. I will then be relocated to Topeka, KS to further my training at my Air National Guard base, Forbes Field. This has been the best opportunity and most educational experience to date!
Class of 2007
Air Force, 1 Years
I enlisted last April and am loving it! I am currently stationed in Wichita Falls, TX to complete tech school. I will then be relocated to Topeka, KS to further my training at my Air National Guard base, Forbes Field. This has been the best opportunity and most educational experience to date!
Mary Meyerquinonez
Class of 1967
Air Force, 20+ Years
Entered service Sep 1971, separated Dec 1998. Began as reservist (flight nurse) with 442 Airlift Wing at Richards-Gebaur, remained in Reserve program throughout my career until final duty station at Portland Air National Guard, OR. Was called up for Desert Storm in 1991, assigned to DavidGrantMedicalCenter at Travis AFB CA.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 20+ Years
Entered service Sep 1971, separated Dec 1998. Began as reservist (flight nurse) with 442 Airlift Wing at Richards-Gebaur, remained in Reserve program throughout my career until final duty station at Portland Air National Guard, OR. Was called up for Desert Storm in 1991, assigned to DavidGrantMedicalCenter at Travis AFB CA.
Michael Keeley
Class of 1971
Marine Corps, 12 Years
I attended the University of Miami after high school on a 4-year Air Force ROTC scholarship. Commissioned 2nd Lt and slated for flight school. When the Vietnam War ended, the Air Force cancelled flight school for 1300, which included me. I wanted to fly pretty badly, so I resigned my Air Force commission and started over in the Marine Corps. I then went to OCS and then Infantry Officer School where I received my first MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) 0302-Infantry Officer. Nine months later I reported to Pensacola for Navy Flight School. One year later, I reported to Kingsville Texas for another year of training in jets and carrier qualification. I qualified in two different jets (T-2 Buckeye and T-A4 Skyhawk) on the USS Lexington. I received my Navy wings (1979) and assigned to Camp Pendleton to fly OV-10's, "Bronco" as an armed Forward Air Controller. After 3 1/2 years I was honorably discharged from active duty although I stayed in the reserves and flew C-130's out of Glenview NAS (just outside of Chicago). Left the reserves in 1988.
Class of 1971
Marine Corps, 12 Years
I attended the University of Miami after high school on a 4-year Air Force ROTC scholarship. Commissioned 2nd Lt and slated for flight school. When the Vietnam War ended, the Air Force cancelled flight school for 1300, which included me. I wanted to fly pretty badly, so I resigned my Air Force commission and started over in the Marine Corps. I then went to OCS and then Infantry Officer School where I received my first MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) 0302-Infantry Officer. Nine months later I reported to Pensacola for Navy Flight School. One year later, I reported to Kingsville Texas for another year of training in jets and carrier qualification. I qualified in two different jets (T-2 Buckeye and T-A4 Skyhawk) on the USS Lexington. I received my Navy wings (1979) and assigned to Camp Pendleton to fly OV-10's, "Bronco" as an armed Forward Air Controller. After 3 1/2 years I was honorably discharged from active duty although I stayed in the reserves and flew C-130's out of Glenview NAS (just outside of Chicago). Left the reserves in 1988.
Michael M. Keeley
Class of 1971
Marine Corps, 12 Years
Marine Corps Infantry Officer School -1976-1977
Navy Flight School-1977-1979
Camp Pendleton Calif. 1979-1983
Rockwell OV-10A/D models
Forward Air Controller (FAC-A)
Tactical Airborne Coordinator (TAC-A)
Squadron NATOP's Officer, AviationSafety Officer
1983-1986-NAS Glenview, Ill. Lockheed C-130F/T models
Honorable discharge -1987
Class of 1971
Marine Corps, 12 Years
Marine Corps Infantry Officer School -1976-1977
Navy Flight School-1977-1979
Camp Pendleton Calif. 1979-1983
Rockwell OV-10A/D models
Forward Air Controller (FAC-A)
Tactical Airborne Coordinator (TAC-A)
Squadron NATOP's Officer, AviationSafety Officer
1983-1986-NAS Glenview, Ill. Lockheed C-130F/T models
Honorable discharge -1987
mike bowers
Class of 1959
Army, 3 Years
a battery 377 artillery 101 st airborne div nuclear weapons honest john rockets parachute delivery june 1959-june 1962 25 parachute jumps
Class of 1959
Army, 3 Years
a battery 377 artillery 101 st airborne div nuclear weapons honest john rockets parachute delivery june 1959-june 1962 25 parachute jumps
Nick Chubb
Class of 1999
Army, 8 Years
Served 14 Months in Korea and 1 year in Iraq
Class of 1999
Army, 8 Years
Served 14 Months in Korea and 1 year in Iraq
Richard J McCarthy
Class of 1984
Air Force, 20+ Years
Will retire April 2011 with 26 years, 8 in Aircraft Maintenance, the rest as a weather man. I was always a good liar!!
Class of 1984
Air Force, 20+ Years
Will retire April 2011 with 26 years, 8 in Aircraft Maintenance, the rest as a weather man. I was always a good liar!!
Terry Veith
Class of 1955
National Guard, 20+ Years
37 years, 6 months, 14 days combined USAF and Air National Guard service.
Class of 1955
National Guard, 20+ Years
37 years, 6 months, 14 days combined USAF and Air National Guard service.
Terry Veith
Class of 1955
National Guard, 20+ Years
37 years, 6 months, 14 days Oklahoma Air National Guard & USAF. Retired as Colonel (O6) in 1997. Traveled the world with the 138th Fighter Wing, Tulsa Oklahoma. Served as Chief of Intelligence for the Wing.
Class of 1955
National Guard, 20+ Years
37 years, 6 months, 14 days Oklahoma Air National Guard & USAF. Retired as Colonel (O6) in 1997. Traveled the world with the 138th Fighter Wing, Tulsa Oklahoma. Served as Chief of Intelligence for the Wing.
Vance Walter
Class of 1972
Marine Corps, 24 Years
Served as Amtrac crewman for 7 years, 17 years as Military Police.
Class of 1972
Marine Corps, 24 Years
Served as Amtrac crewman for 7 years, 17 years as Military Police.
Victor Charles Thomas
Class of 1967
Army, 3 Years
Basic at Fort Leonard Wood, technical at Fort Hauchuca. Served in Vietnam, 1968. Later served at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado until his honorable discharge in 1970.
Class of 1967
Army, 3 Years
Basic at Fort Leonard Wood, technical at Fort Hauchuca. Served in Vietnam, 1968. Later served at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado until his honorable discharge in 1970.
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Independence High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Bulldogs.
School News
Independence High School Class of 1998 20 Year Reunion
Greetings, bulldog alumni!! This reunion is for anyone who at anytime was apart of the class of 1998. Right now we are p...
Read More »
Our Independence High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Independence High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Independence are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!