Submitted photo Gary Kass continues to spread the word about military history by speaking to groups from area communities. After serving in the National Guard, he performed extensive volunteer research relating to veterans, and has turned to public speaking as a new way to reach the public.

MARSHALL — Gary Kass is dedicated to sharing his research on military history to audiences throughout southwest Minnesota.

The Balaton man’s mission to preserve public awareness of military veterans is not limited by being legally blind.

Kass took an interest in everything related to 20th century war experiences, especially those that tie in with residents from area counties, after 20 years of National Guard service. He was a recent guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Marshall’s Sunrise Rotary Club.

He spoke about a four-state infantry regiment with members from Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and North Dakota.

The regiment was shipped first to Northern Ireland, where it prepared for the front lines of the North Africa war front. At the time North Africa was a defensive effort for Allied forces, designed to keep Nazi Germany and fascist Italy from surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

“They were part of the effort to bring more troops to North Africa,” Kass said. “It was a difficult assignment because of how much they were outmanned and outgunned.”

Their success in turning back forces under the command of German General Erwin Rommel was only a first step in safeguarding democracy throughout the world. They then helped to spearhead the Italian Campaign, which began in Sicily.

It progressed to a first effort to retake continental Europe at the Anzio beachhead. It then included the liberation of Rome. That success was followed a year later by the historic D-Day invasion at the English Channel area known as Normandy, which is about to be recognized worldwide in its 75th anniversary on June 6.

“Soldiers in the infantry were part of some of the most difficult battles in Italy,” Kass said. “They did much of the mountain fighting, where they were always looking up toward the enemy. That’s not a good position to be in.”

He brought a variety of artifacts to Marshall in conjunction with his presentation. One that he explained to the audience is a combination of a shovel and a club weapon, which could be adjusted for either purpose depending on the immediate circumstances.

Kass gave another presentation this month in Slayton about Korean War veteran experiences. It was organized by the Murray County Historical Society, and featured experiences of Lyon County and Murray County soldiers.

He prefaced his remarks by asking audience members to simply speak up if they had a question, noting that since he’s legally blind he can’t see raised hands. He’s accompanied to speaking events by his wife, Elaine, who drives as needed.

They’re both from the Balaton and Tracy area, and lived at Elaine’s parents’ farm site in Lake Sarah Township, Murray County, before moving to Balaton a year ago.

“Mostly I’ve stayed close to my home area,” he said. “I enjoy sharing my knowledge about veterans and would go almost anywhere. It depends on how much she’ll want to drive me.”

He added that staying involved in military history research and promotion helps him to keep busy. It also offers a means of showing his pride in the United States and his appreciation to all veterans, especially those who lost their lives to preserve freedom.

“Military veterans are more than just statistics,” Kass said. “For many of us they’re parents, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and cousins.”

Kass was invited to speak by Sunrise Rotary Club member Dave Horstmann, who knew of his extensive research and interest in sharing his knowledge.

Club member Jim Marshall enjoyed thinking back to his own family history, and how much it’s been tied to some of the most global wars from the past century.

“I grew up hearing about what relatives experienced,” Marshall said. “I think it’s great that he’s helping to make sure our veterans are remembered.”