Retired U.S. Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Jerome Bentz, left, receives an award from U.S. Navy Capt. David Schubkegel, right, during a special ceremony at Prairie Senior Cottages Friday. Bentz retired from the National Guard in 1995 after 31 years of service. Bentz also served the community as Brown County Treasurer and later County Administrator. Schubkegel, who also served in the National Guard before joining the Navy, served under Bentz in New Ulm. He said since he was a child he has always looked up to Bentz. “He’s probably one of the finest people I’ve known and served with,” Schubkegel said. The award is a shadow box containing Schubkegel’s first enlisted rank and first and last commissioned ranks.

Retired U.S. Army National Guard 1st Sgt. Jerome Bentz, left, receives an award from U.S. Navy Capt. David Schubkegel, right, during a special ceremony at Prairie Senior Cottages Friday. Bentz retired from the National Guard in 1995 after 31 years of service. Bentz also served the community as Brown County Treasurer and later County Administrator. Schubkegel, who also served in the National Guard before joining the Navy, served under Bentz in New Ulm. He said since he was a child he has always looked up to Bentz. “He’s probably one of the finest people I’ve known and served with,” Schubkegel said. The award is a shadow box containing Schubkegel’s first enlisted rank and first and last commissioned ranks.