Aborted military service turns into career with vets

After spending less than a year in the service, Duane Krueger has made his life's work serving veterans.

By Paul Levy, Star Tribune

Last update: November 1, 2007 - 10:02 PM

Duane Krueger's tour of duty with the U.S. Navy lasted less than a year, because of medical problems. Little did he know then that a military career now in its 34th year was just beginning.

"I never regretted enlisting, but felt bad when I got out," said the 6-foot-6 Krueger, who suffered through back problems and headaches while cramped on an old destroyer in 1970. "But my father, who spent 42 years in a warehouse, told me, 'If you find a job you like, that's worth a lot more than money.'"

Krueger, 56, is the longtime director of the Anoka County Veterans Service Office, guiding many of the county's 27,000 veterans through health and insurance issues, treatment for post-traumatic stress, unemployment, marital problems and questions concerning continuing their education.

From World War II vets to service members who recently returned from Iraq and need help filing for disability payments, Krueger knows his work is just beginning when veterans complete their obligations to the service.

"He's remarkable in the way he turns lives around," said Steve Novak, Anoka County division manager for government services, and Krueger's supervisor. "His tenure here tells you that he's totally dedicated. But veterans who have no idea how long he's been around are put at ease by his folksy ways.

"People who are unaware of what their rights are tell him their stories. When they walk away from a meeting with Duane, their lives are turned around. There are no pretenses about him."

Finding his way

Krueger's own military career ended almost as suddenly as it began.

When he graduated from high school in St. Paul in 1969, Krueger said, he had two jobs but no direction. Laying railroad track in the Midway district and working part-time at a grocery store didn't meet his long-term goals, but college didn't have a strong appeal for Krueger at the time, either.

Although the war in Vietnam dominated headlines and sparked arguments in a country divided by politics and culture, Krueger enlisted in the Navy. With a draft number of 365, Krueger likely could have avoided the service. But, he emphasized, he wanted to enlist.

Other than the first day of boot camp, he said, he never regretted his decision. He was stationed near Key West, Fla., on the USS Forster, a World War II destroyer -- until back problems ended his time in the service in May 1970.

Running the department

After two years at Lakewood Community College, Krueger found a job in the Vietnam Bonus Division, which was making payments to Vietnam veterans. After 10 days, he filled a spot by volunteering at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis. When a co-worker failed to show up, he said, he wound up running the State Department of Veteran Affairs. He was 22 years old.

Then he heard there was an opening in the Veterans Service Office in Anoka County.

"I had to get directions to Anoka County," he said. "I was the only applicant with a letter of recommendation." Eight years after his hiring, he became department director.

He has serviced tens of thousands of veterans since. "Some of the stories are tough to hear," he said. "We still want to help. It's the least we can do."

Paul Levy • 612-673-4419

Paul Levy • plevy@startribune.com

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