Submitted photo Brothers Ron and Steve Lambrecht both had long and successful careers in the United States military. They told of their early years in Ivanhoe and their military experiences in a recently published memoir.

IVANHOE — Brothers Ron and Steve Lambrecht were born 18 years apart, but they followed very similar career paths in the United States military.

Their military experiences and the process of growing up in the Ivanhoe area are told in the recently published memoir called “Boundless Brothers: Two Warriors From the Heartland, One Mission for the Homeland”.

Ron is a 1967 graduate of Ivanhoe High School, and Steve graduated in 1985. Ron currently lives in California. Steve resides in Vermont.

In telephone interviews, they said their memoir involves life stories. A substantial part of the book is devoted to the experience of growing up. Details include experiences such as Saturday nights at the Showboat in Lake Benton, tractor races on farm fields in the fall, and riding across Lake Shaokatan ice on a refrigerator door.

“We aimed for something broader than a strictly military audience,” Ron said. “We talked about how we grew up and chose directions in our lives. We reached our goal. The book is getting broad public interest.”

Ron began his education in a one-room country school with only one classmate at his grade level. He started going to school in Ivanhoe in third grade.

After graduating from high school, he attended Moorhead State University where he stopped short of reaching a degree. In 1975, he decided to enter the United States Navy with the goal of seeing the world and coming back to finish his education.

He became an intelligence officer on a Navy ship, then an instructor, and next went on to several other positions. He attained the rank of Commander.

“Intelligance was a good place for me to get started,” Ron said. “We were a hub when it came to the activities of our ship. Almost everything that happened was communicated to our office.”

The conclusion of one of Ron’s naval missions turned into a life changing experience for Steve. He and his father, Melvin Lambrecht, had the opportunity to participate in what’s known as a Tiger Cruise. They were allowed to ride the naval carrier on its trip from Hawaii to San Diego.

“It had a profound effect on me,” Steve said. “I was so impressed by the ship and the dedication of the crew. I knew at that point that I wanted to join the military. It seemed like that was where I belonged.”

His military career included several different divisions of the armed forces. He especially remembers flying combat missions, the comraderie among service personnel, and the opportunities to show leadership. He advanced to the rank of brigadier general.

Ron and Steve both noted that they’ve always remembered their Ivanhoe roots. They’ve recently returned for Polska Kielbasa Days celebrated in August.

Their ties to the community were strengthened by how neighbors helped their parents as they aged, after their children moved to other locations for employment. Melvin and his wife Clarice spent their retirement in Ivanhoe after a life of farming and then operating the Lakeview Supper Club on Lake Shaokatan.

“We (their children) scattered to distant cities,” Steve said. “We knew we could always count on the people back home. They always stepped up and helped our parents when needed. That shows how small towns are special places.”

They’re hopeful that their memoir leads people to look with pride on the United States and all that it has to offer its young people.

“We live in a great country,” Steve said. “Doors are open if people want to walk through them. We want readers to enjoy hearing about our careers and how we got our start in southwestern Minnesota. I hope people identify with it.”