Meet Steve Kahnke, our volunteer of the month
By Don Checots, Minneapolis VA Volunteer, Air Force Veteran
Kahnke has been a driving force (literally) in the Waseca County community for 35 years, logging nearly 13,000 hours of time behind the wheel as a volunteer driver. His commitment has earned him the respect and admiration of everyone he meets.
A proud Army Veteran, Kahnke served in Vietnam from 1970–71 as an artillery radio operator. Steve was in the jungles outside of Bien Hoa and as a radioman, he was responsible for carrying the radio for Artillery Officers as they moved about calling in air strikes. Near the end of his tour, his Lieutenant was shipped home, and his replacement was slow to arrive. Steve ended up doing both jobs (carrying and calling in) with the help of a few other Infantry officers. It was during this time his unit directed a gunship and B52 to an enemy target and they were awarded the Bronze Star for that mission.
Steve left the service in 1971 after his tour and returned to his hometown of Waseca, Minnesota. He married his wife Michelle, in 1974, and they raised two sons in the same place he spent his childhood years.
Kahnke’s relationship with the Minneapolis VA started in 1990 when he was the Commander of VFW Post 1642. During a VFW meeting, the Waseca County Veterans Service Officer gave a presentation about volunteer drivers for Veterans traveling to the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. At that time, there was only one driver for the entire county, so he volunteered and has been doing it ever since.
Steve’s heartfelt dedication to our veterans is evident in every mile he drives and every act of kindness he performs. Known for his integrity and respected by many, Steve's commitment is extraordinary. As a volunteer driver and a proud Army veteran, he is no stranger to the value of selfless service. We are sincerely grateful for his dedication and fortunate to have him as a part of our VA family.