Published: July 07, 2008 09:46 am         

Goodbye to a friend

By Guinn Sweet

A man, an actual hero of Tom Brokaw's “The Greatest Generation,” has lived among us and has gone to join those other great protectors of democracy whose numbers are growing at the rapid rate of thousands per day.

His name was Myrl Hefner, born Sept. 7, 1921, in Arkansas. He passed away March 23, 2008, in Mineral Wells, nearly reaching the age of 87 years old. Those years encompassed an active lifetime of service to his country, his family and his community, greater than most men we have known, and at no time did Myrl do those things casually, without thoughtfulness, passion or dedication.

Hefner's first military service began with enlistment in the U.S. Coast Guard on July 23, 1942, and subsequent boot camp in Baltimore, Md. His first USCG duty was with a K-9 unit patrolling the beaches in Georgia. The following three years found him assigned to the USS LST 169 stationed in several Pacific Islands during WWII and finally in Korea after the war. His service in the Coast Guard was ended in Long Beach, Calif., on Feb. 28, 1946.

He re-enlisted in the military, the Army this time, six months later, on June 6, 1946. He was sent to Germany to serve with the Constabulary in Sonthofen/Obererstdorf, in the occupying forces. It was there that he met his wife, Leni. He returned to the states in June, 1949, transferred to Ft. Hood's 92nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion.

His unit was sent to Korea again on July 5, 1950, landing at Inchon (Seoul) in September. He was returned home, to Ft. Sill, assigned to the 553rd Field Artillery until July, 1953. At this point in time, he was returned to Europe to serve in France with the 553rd Engineering Battalion until August, 1957.

After that tour of duty, he returned to Ft. Riley, Kan., and the 18th Infantry until February when he was sent back to Germany. His unit was assigned, on Aug. 9, 1958, to Berlin to guard the airport and patrol the wall of separation being built by the Russians. Some time later, he was transferred to the 7th Army Support Command in Mannheim, Germany, until mid-summer, l962, when he arrived at Ft. Wolters, where he served until March, 1964. He retired from the 5th Army, Helicopter School/Student Command, and the United States Army, after 22-plus years of faithful and highly commended service.

Perhaps believing the statement of Napoleon I (or was it Frederick the Great?) who was credited with the saying, “An army moves on its stomach,” SFC Hefner became a cook in 1946, after enlisting in the army. He served six years in that capacity, then the following 12 years he advanced to mess steward and food advisor at various army installations in Germany, Korea, France and the United States.

His devotion to his “trade” brought him several commendations, official “Letters of Appreciation” from his commanding officers and the gratitude of many combat and occupation teams who were served nourishing meals at all times, and special “home-cooked meals like Mom used to make” on Christmas, Thanksgiving and other important “family” holidays.

He made special efforts to perform his culinary art to perfection, but he often accompanied the meals with table cloths, flowered center-pieces and making the settings as nearly like home as possible, even to the point of putting curtains on the mess-hall windows, with the help of his wife, Leni.

During his 22 years in military service, Hefner was awarded numerous medals and citations for his quality of service to his country, during war-time, peace-time and “cold-war-time.” They included the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Medal and the United Nations Defense Medal. He also received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct, American Campaign, Navy Occupation and Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medals. Perhaps the most notable awards were the Silver Star and six Bronze Stars.

After his military retirement, Mr. Hefner continued to ply his art in the employ of Southern Airways/U.S. Army at Ft.Wolters, for 10 more years. He was cook, assistant mess supervisor and mess steward during the years 1964-1974. From 1974-1983 he worked for Marine Drilling Company of Corpus Christi as head cook. At no time did he perform his duties less skillfully as a civilian employee than he did as a member of his country's military.

Myrl's “real” retirement years were spent in serving his community -- specifically with the Mineral Wells Meals-On-Wheels delivery program, then with the Mineral Wells Senior Center.

In 1994, the center food delivery service, previously provided by the North Texas Council of Governments through the Weatherford Senior Center, was cancelled with very short notice. This situation became critical with the local center having only a rudimentary kitchen, little to no equipment and no one to do the cooking. Mr. Hefner stepped up and volunteered his services as head cook, purchasing agent and every other titled food service worker. He maintained this voluntary position (four days a week) until the center was financially able to employ him at a modest salary of $5.00/hr (beginning March 1, 1995). He continued in this pursuit for the next 12 years, retiring on June 6, 2006, with the agreement that he would continue to provide the work involved for “Fried Fish Monday” for the remainder of the year.

His emphasis was always on volume, nutrition and cost. The kitchen was his “throne room” and he notified anyone who would dare trespass of this fact. He recognized two ways of doing his job - his way and the wrong way. Some called him “tyrant,” some called him the able sergeant that he was. But he was beloved by those who knew him best and knew his true heart. He sometimes found a “favorite” of some of the “regulars” and often “treated” their taste buds. Following retirement from the center, he resumed the Meals-on-Wheels activity and involved himself in other volunteer programs when his health allowed and his desire needed satisfaction.

Those who miss Merl most were the shining lights of his life. They include his wife, whom he met and married in Germany, daughter Yester, Yari, his beloved granddaughter, and Scotty Whitsett.

There are many others. He had many good friends, family members and others who will hear something funny, smart or interesting and stop to think for a moment about Myrl. Men his age will remember his “war stories” and will remember. Women will see a balding head and will think of how he responded to a kiss placed there. There will be much to remember - he was a faithful husband and friend. He was representative of the men who gave their lives to secure and maintain our national independence. He was a responsible citizen of his country, a devoted member of the Masonic Lodge, a trusted friend to his allies and a faithful husband and father to his family. There's more. …