MONROE — When Orson “Junior” Robertson was young, he would play “Army” on the west side of Monroe with a group of neighbors and friends. They would pretend to fight, shoot and even fall on fences like “real soldiers.” 

Later on, that game became a harsh reality for the Monroe native, as he was drafted into Vietnam, becoming a paratrooper facing full combat for nearly a year. 

Despite seeing what many would agree was the worst of war, and being harmed both physically and emotionally, Robertson isn’t afraid to share those dark times, tell stories or disclose fears. It’s been his openness, he said, that’s gotten him through tough times without resorting to harmful alternatives. That, along with a town that’s rallied around him with love and support — have made his life meaningful. 

He now lives his life each day to the fullest, he said, after accepting what he’s been through and learning, teaching and growing from all he’s taken in. 

“If I die tomorrow, I’m going to die a happy man,” he said.

He was born in Monroe and grew up on the west side of town. Robertson said a large group of children enjoyed their own sand lot. Around 20 of them would congregate regularly to play baseball. He was surrounded by constant playmates as the youngest child among eight sisters and three brothers.

“We always loved one another,” he said. 

They took trips as a family, camping and staying in states like California, Colorado and Texas, to name a few. He said his parents felt it was important for the children to see the United States. 

Robertson admittedly struggled in school and from fifth grade he was in special education classes. He adored his teachers, especially Mrs. Rudolph Haske, Bernice Kingdon and Mrs. Miller, who helped him succeed despite his downfalls.

“Those teachers have helped me so much and now I’ve read volumes of books,” he said. “The teachers were so gracious to me.”

In high school, Robertson wrestled all four years and played football and ran track. He said he was proud to have had friends who supported him, but he also saw a fair share of bullying against people like him, who struggled. 

“I learned at a young age you don’t do that to other kids,” he said. “I stuck up for them.”

He also worked in high school, a little for his brother on a dairy farm, and at a roofing company. He also spent time working as a pin spotter at a local bowling alley, and would pick up pins and toss back balls for 40 cents a line. By the end of the night, he often made around $5.

“I thought I had a million bucks,” he laughed.

He graduated in 1965 from Monroe High School and was working as a cook at Frito Lay. About six months later, he received orders from the military. 

“When people ask me what college I went to I tell them, ‘I went to Vietnam,’” he said. 

Robertson headed for Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri for basic training and then moved to Fort Gordon, Georgia, for infantry training and then Fort Benning, Georgia, for jump school, where he became a paratrooper. He was part of the 101st Airborne Division, and refers to himself as a “tunnel rat.”

“I saw men die every day,” he said. “When I woke up in the morning I didn’t know if I’d be dead that night.”

The throes of war were among him and he became wounded three times. He took shrapnel in his mouth, blowing out all of his teeth. He was also burned badly on his legs from white phosphorous. His final injury was when he took a bullet to the back of his head.  

He died on his way into the hospital — but doctors brought him back to life. He had two weeks left to serve, but was to be sent home. 

“I cried when the doctor told me I was going home,” he said. “I was so happy to go home after seeing so much death.”

Not only did Robertson see death, but he killed several enemies, he said. He came home in June 1968, almost a year after his arrival.

“It taught me to appreciate your life,” he said. “So many people take their life for granted.”

When it was time to come home, Robertson was first sent to a VA hospital in Madison because of his injuries and was there recovering for about two months. Eventually, he returned to Monroe and found a place to live right behind the city garage. 

He said on a Friday he was approached by someone from the city who offered him a job. He started the following Monday — and would spend the next 35 years working and dedicating himself to the City of Monroe. 

He started out working on garbage, he said. Eventually, he ran all of the equipment for the city, and had a winter route in and around the Square. 

“I could tell you where every little notch in that road was,” he said. 

Through the years, Robertson said he has loved his job with the city and said former Director of Public Works Nate Klassy was the best boss he could have ever asked for. He felt his job was more of an adventure than work. He retired in 2003.

“I loved and appreciated everyone I worked with at the city,” he said.

He also met his wife after offering to roof a co-worker’s garage. He fell for the co-worker’s daughter, Linda, who made him supper the evening he finished. They eloped in Illinois in July 1969. 

He said it’s been Linda who has stuck by him through the repercussions of what the war left behind, both physically and emotionally, and has helped him during tough times. The couple will be married 49 years this month. 

“I couldn’t find a better town to grow up in and raise my own children,” he said. “So many of the families are just like family to me. I’ve gotten to love so many people here.”

In 2002, Klassy and Mike Doyle helped bring Robertson’s dream of a veteran’s memorial to life. He was able to donate time to help move an Army tank to different locations with help, and said the support from Monroe was special. 

“I always wanted to start a memorial,” he said. “I watched them fight so hard and die so hard. I held three soldiers dying — and they all cried for their mother. If I had my pick between a thousand towns, I’d always come back to Monroe.”

Despite the things he has endured, Robertson said there were fun times too. His stories include tales of friendship, camararderie and kindness despite the gloom that surrounded him. 

“I’ve just had a wonderful life,” he said. 

He said when he first returned from Vietnam, he suffered from PTSD symptoms, including night terrors and shaking. He knew he had to find a way to deal with things to move forward, he said. 

“I was afraid in Vietnam,” he said. “It’s not fun to watch people be killed and it’s hard taking a life. That’s what I hate about war — some good people get killed.”

Another way of healing for Robertson has been speaking to groups. He talks to both high schools and elementary schools to share his experiences. He is also often a featured speaker at veteran events. 

“I tell about what I did — but it’s really about the soldiers who died,” he said. “I don’t want them to have died in vain. That’s why I talk to the older kids about the war.”

Robertson is heavily involved with the VFW and is a past commander. He is also a past president of the Chapter 3 Vietnam Veterans group. He also served on the honor guard with the American Legion for several years. 

A year ago, Robertson took another step toward healing when he returned to Vietnam with a friend and was able to unexpectedly meet the priest whose life he saved. He said he visited the monastery where he recalls killing five enemies facing him — never did he think the priest he pulled from harm’s way, then in his 20s, would still be there. 

Honors have also come. Robertson was named a Distinguished Member of the Regiment, and his photo is on the wall forever at Fort Campbell. He has been given three purple hearts. 

Health issues have faced him regularly since his return, including recent years, where he’s dealt with repercussions from agent orange. A year ago, he was told he had a brain aneurysm and doctors said they found it “just in time.” 

When he went in to surgery, Robertson said he wasn’t worried in the least. 

“It never bothered me,” he said. “I had too many good friends praying for me. I pray for them too.”

Robertson seemingly always finds the joy in life, and loves to take weekend and day trips with Linda and friends to relax. Through the years they’ve taken special trips, including ones to Switzerland and Germany. He has also traveled with many local friends through the years.

“The people in Monroe are like family to me,” he said. “I have so many good friends.”

He takes pride in his two children, Sara Conway and Cody Robertson, who both work for the Green County Sheriff’s Department. He said he tried hard to instill work ethic and kindness in them — and he feels he’s succeeded. 

He said being with family brings him the most happiness, and his greatest joy recently has been that of his grandchildren. He also enjoys 4-wheeling and seeing nature among the trails all over Wisconsin. He loves hunting with his son.

“I’m far from rich but my richness was the love for family and people,” he said. “That means more to me than anything in the world.”

He said his favorite quote is short and simple — but is one he’s seen in full swing throughout his life.

“What goes around, comes around,” he concluded. “If you love people — it’ll come back to you a thousand fold.”