BNSF railroaders create place of peace for Gold Star Aberdeen, South Dakota, families

By SUSAN GREEN 
Staff Writer 
 
Railroaders work hard and equally put their hearts into civic organizations near and dear to them. One that’s making a big difference in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is Old Cronies, with a mission to raise money for veterans and their families.  

BNSF locomotive engineers and veterans Revi Schaible, Chris Ramsey and Jason Yurkovich are Old Cronies who raised $150,000 in under two years to erect a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Aberdeen’s Anderson Park. Gold Star families are those whose loved one died in service to our nation.

“We were so moved by it and another in Sioux Falls that we proposed one for Aberdeen,” said Schaible. “My wife Angie lost her brother, Ron Schnaidt, in Vietnam. Their mother Viola was one of the last surviving Gold Star Mothers of that war. Even though it had been 50 years since she lost her son, she still felt his loss deeply and was the first to donate.” 

The Gold Star Memorial Monument program is nationwide and was created by World War II Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams. His foundation has helped place 155 monuments in all 50 states. Each is a two-sided tribute of four black granite panels.

The effort was “a dime and a dollar at a time,” said Schaible. “It’s remarkable what a group of 30 people and the support of our small community accomplished.” 

Their money-raising stories ran the gamut, from the young boy who dropped a dollar bill into a donation jar at the county fair to a $25,000 check from an area businessman who wanted to honor his father’s World War II service. Another $25,000 from a man who gave in his wife’s memory. BNSF co-workers bought raffle tickets, and the BNSF Railway Foundation contributed. Local companies made in-kind donations.

“When the cause is something that you believe in, asking people for their hard-earned money is a bit easier,” Yurkovich said. “The project offered something tangible to the community as well as the Gold Star Families. I had positive responses every time I asked. The memorial sold itself.” 

Ramsey had a similar experience. “When we first set our goal, I wasn’t sure if we were going to be able to get it done,” he said. “But I went around to talk to people and businesses that I know, and it just took off.” 

Schaible said the effort was all-consuming but there were many supporters. "The loss of a service member spiderwebs beyond family and friends into the community,” he said. “We have a very generous community in Aberdeen when it comes to veterans.” 

An unveiling ceremony took place on Oct. 13, 2025, and was well attended. Sadly, Schaible’s mother-in-law passed away before the dedication. 

“There’s a bench with her name on it,” he said. “Now we have a peaceful place for these families to go, where they can just sit in solitude or get together and celebrate the life of their loved one.”