Four combat veterans and members of the CVMA; Jarid Jeske, Steve Oothoudt, Jeremiah Miller and Sean Stafford with auxiliary family members along for the ride visited Wojahn at his home three miles outside New Ulm Sunday to provide him with brand new American flag.

CVMA is nationwide organization that includes combat veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby. The organization focuses on providing assistance to and help veterans. CVMA has members across the county. In fact, Wojahn’s new next door neighbor Sean Stafford is a member.

Stafford served 20 years in the Minnesota National Guard and deployed twice overseas. He joined CVMA six years ago. On Saturday, Stafford alerted local CVMA members of a way they could help a WWII combat veteran.

Stafford said he moved next door to Wojahn last spring. Stafford said he had never met Wojahn before, but knew of him by reputation as a WWII veteran.

CVMA join Paul Wojahn in saluting the flag.

Last Saturday, Stafford was taking items to the landfill and drove by Wojahn’s place and noticed his American flag.

“I saw his flag. It was all torn up and I realized it needed to be fixed,” Stafford said.

“Initially, I was just going to go into town and get him a flag myself, but then I thought other members of CVMA.”

Some members were planning a motorcycle ride in the area Sunday. Stafford mentioned Wojahn to the group and his flag. They decided to bring Wojahn a flag as a group.

Stafford said he introduced himself to Wojahn that Saturday and asked if it was okay to bring him a new flag.

Wojahn accepted Stafford’s offer. Wojahn had another flag ready to go, but required assistance raising it.

Sunday afternoon, a group of CVMA bikers rode to Wojahn’s property to present him with a new flag. The CVMA members performed a proper ceremony. First, they removed the old flag and folded it. The CVMA took the old flag with them to give it a proper disposal later.

Next, they raised the new flag and along with Wojahn, gave it a salute. After the flag raising, CVMA members visited with Wojahn about his experiences as a veteran.

Wojahn served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He made combat beach landings on New Guinea, Cape Gloucester, and was involved in the battle of Peleliu and Ryukyu Okinawa. He was on Okinawa when the war ended. He was honorably discharged as a private on Dec. 23, 1945.

After the war, Wojahn worked as a farmer and excavator. He was as a Minnesota conservation officer and served 25 years.

Wojahn retired in 1983 but continued to serve in several veterans organizations including the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Marine Corps League and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Wojahn is best known for his work with the New Ulm chapter of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Wojahn helped with the local DAV clothing drive since the beginning and is still an active volunteer.