Orlin Hoof Grand Marshal of 4th of July Parade

Longtime VFW member, Orlin Hoof, will be riding in this year’s 4th of July Parade as the Grand Marshal. The 89-year-old Army veteran began his military career by being drafted out of college.  After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was transferred to a medical unit in Germany as a driver for the medics.

When asked what he learned during his time in uniform, he remarked, “I learned to speak German and that it was time to stop smoking”.   He also said that he learned to eat peas as the Germans do, with a butter knife.

After his 2-year Army stint was over, Orlin worked at a restaurant for a short time before going to work for Frigo Cheese in Lena for four years and then Scott Paper for 24 years.  He retired in 1994.

As a member of Crivitz Memorial VFW Post 2063, Orlin has volunteered many hours to the post, most noticeably during the Annual Poppy Distribution program for which he received awards for distributing the most poppies and collecting thousands of dollars which the post used for their charitable activities.