Wayne Balke, of Cole Camp, closed his eyes tight, clasped his hands together and rocked as he shared his Army experiences. For a brief moment, it was as if he had returned to the jungles of Vietnam where he nearly lost his life.
Balke was a Benton County boy who lived with his grandparents on a farm in rural Cole Camp. He never missed a day of school or was tardy over 12 years. Though school was important, he preferred to be outdoors. He spent countless nights hiding in the woods in search of raccoons. Through hunting he learned vital navigation and listening skills no amount of schooling could teach. He became a part of the Army like a lot of young men.
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