Latest news with #Eutsler
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Soldiers reunite 50 years later in Wapello on former drill sergeant's birthday
Lee Eutsler trained more than 800 recruits in his time as a drill sergeant back in the 1970s. With 50 years passing this spring, members of a platoon he trained visited him this week in Wapello for his birthday to pay their respects. They found each other online, having lost contact when Eutsler started going by his middle name. 'I had posted my old drill sergeant picture and they had recognized it right off and different guys started contacting me, and then they start planning,' Eutsler told Our Quad Cities News. Two members of the platoon came by a few days before, one traveling from as far away as Virginia, to catch up with their drill sergeant. 'My old thing I used to say to when I got them all off the cattle car: 'Trainees, I am your father, I am your mother, I am your preacher. I am everything to you,'' said Eutsler. Little did he know that he wasn't far off. 'He had a huge impact on me, because every time I saw him, I was just like impressed with the way he looked and always the uniform was always perfect,' said Bill Burns, a former member of a platoon Eutsler trained. 'I was living in orphanages and foster homes at the time, so I was looking for some guidance and some training and teaching of that nature. I got lucky, I got the best.' Burns spent 22 years in the Army, and says he couldn't have done it without Eutsler's help. Another member of the same platoon says Eutsler taught him skills he uses every day. 'The things he's taught me that helped me in my business going forward, (included) how to treat people, the leadership, who you want to emulate and be like, and I always hoped we'd be able to make contact again someday,' said Kevin Leonard, a member of the same platoon. Both Burns and Leonard say they've spent years trying to reconnect. 'I had actually been looking for him for years,' said Burns. 'I wanted to give him a thank you back then, (but) really couldn't. Didn't know that last time I saw him when we had duty together the night before graduation, I didn't know that would be the last time I would see him.' Eutsler was surprised and honored when they contacted him. 'I made a big difference in their lives and I didn't know that,' said Eutsler. 'I always wondered how much of a difference (I made.)' Eutsler says after 50 years, the emotions ran high. 'We just hugged each other for probably five minutes,' said Eutsler. 'It was hard to be the drill sergeant anymore and keep my composure.' To make it special, the platoon celebrated his 74th birthday, something Eutsler says he isn't used to. 'I haven't had a birthday or a birthday party all my life,' said Eutsler. 'I had a birthday cake from a German friend 40 years ago.' Eutsler says it was the best birthday he's ever had. 'I love this day, not because it's my birthday, but because these guys remembered me.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gravel Pit Fire arsonist headed to Deer Lodge
Mar. 28—A transient man originally from New Jersey who pleaded guilty to starting the Gravel Pit Fire south of Libby in 2023 is headed to Deer Lodge. Joseph Anthony Eutsler, 41, entered his plea Jan. 9 in Lincoln County District Court and was sentenced to 20 years, with 10 suspended by District Judge Matt Cuffe. He first pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2023. Cuffe followed the terms of the plea deal that called for Eutsler to receive a 20-year sentence, with 10 suspended, in the Montana State Prison. He will receive credit for 602 days he has served in the county jail. The public defender fee of $800 was waived and Cuffe determined Eutsler had no ability to pay restitution. It is expected there will be restitution due because the 300-acre fire burned trees on timberlands belonging to Green Diamond Resource Company. Eutsler was ruled fit to stand trial in the summer of 2024 after doctors from the Montana State Hospital, Dr. James P. Murphy and Dr. Daniel Bemporad, evaluated him and determined he was fit and able to proceed. Eutsler is being held on $250,000 bail in the county jail. According to charging documents, Eutsler previously lived in Williamstown, New Jersey. But he was described as living in his van at the time of the offense. According to the probable cause statement by county Sheriff's Office Deputy Anthony Jenson, Eutsler was arrested on the evening of Aug. 1 at the gravel pit located near Silver Butte Road after a woman called 911 at about 6:22 p.m. to report the fire near mile marker 60. Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue responded to the scene and found the man who started the fire at the scene. Captain Boyd White and Jenson responded and spoke with Eutsler. He told them his vehicle had broken down and he had been parked in the gravel pit for about two days. The defendant said a marked patrol car had driven past and he tried to wave for the officer to stop, but the car continued to drive, according to Jenson's statement. Eutsler allegedly said he was upset and started the fire to create a signal to force law enforcement to come. Jenson reported seeing singed hair on Eutsler's right arm and Capt. White found a bottle of lighter fluid next to an open door of the defendant's van. It was also reported that Eutsler had a lighter in his pocket. The officers also reported that when they arrived the fire had grown to an estimated five acres and damaged timber and property belonging to Green Diamond. Within two hours the fire grew to about 50 acres and was heading in a northeast direction where there are numerous residences along the highway. The 304-acre fire was contained later in August. The cost of the blaze was estimated between $1.5 and $2 million. Eutsler faced a sentence of up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison.
