From solider to farmer

RUSHFORD

VILLAGE — Turning 21 is a once-in-a-lifetime experience usually celebrated with friends, family and a first legal drink. Jonathan Pettit, though, spent his birthday at the Da Nang International Airport in Da Nang, Vietnam, waiting for a flight home after serving in the Vietnam War.

“The country I found to be absolutely beautiful,” Pettit said. “The beach in Da Nang was just pristine white sand. It’s a tropical, neat place if you’re not in a war.”

In 1968, 19-year-old Pettit joined the U.S. Army to serve his country. He returned home to Minnesota a few years later and built a life with his wife, Dorothy. Today, they own and operate JonDor Herefords, a 120-acre farm near Rushford Village, where they specialize in raising purebred Hereford cattle and swine. With assistance from their son, Josef, the couple cares for 25 cows and 4-8 sows.

“My wife and I always work together,” Pettit said. “Josef comes nearly daily, and he helps us with the show animals.”

In 1955, long before the Hereford operation was launched, the Vietnam War began. A decade later, the first U.S. combat troops entered the Southeast Asian country. Pettit, originally a missile repair parts specialist, was sent to a missile site in Germany. After six months of training, the Army sent him to Vietnam.

“It was my name and military occupational specialty, which meant it had to be me that went,” Pettit said. “I just assumed that we were going to have missiles in Vietnam, because that’s what I was trained for.”

However, when Pettit arrived in Vietnam, he learned the missiles were never sent. Unable to perform the tasks he was trained in, Pettit ended up at the U.S. Army depot at Da Nang. There, he operated with the 34th Supply & Service Battalion for around a year and a half. He worked at the motor pool — a facility where vehicles and equipment are stored — distributing parts and supplies to nearby units.

“I went and extended my time, so when I got home from Vietnam, I would not have to do any more service to fulfill the rest of my 3-year enlistment,” Pettit said. “So, I got out of the army a little bit early.”

Once his service was complete in 1970, Pettit made his way to the Da Nang International Airport for a flight back to the U.S. The day, Oct. 31, was one that was unforgettable; it was Pettit’s 21st birthday, and a raging typhoon was preventing planes from landing or taking off. He stayed at the airport for several days before finally landing in Seattle Nov. 5, marking the end of his time in the military.

Pettit was later honored with the Bronze Star Medal, which is awarded for heroic or commendable achievement or service. The medal represents his sacrifice and dedication to his country during the Vietnam War.

“I was awarded for doing a damn good job,” Pettit said. “I did what I was supposed to do and did it well enough.”

After returning to Minnesota, Pettit worked several different jobs. He delivered farm buildings as a truck driver for Lester’s Inc. (now Lester Buildings), managed circulation for Sun Current newspapers and worked as a claims adjuster for an insurance company. During this time, Pettit also met Dorothy, who was the agriculture teacher at the school in Howard Lake.

The two then decided to relocate to Valley City, North Dakota, in 1982 so Pettit could complete his degree in elementary education and coaching. In 1984, they returned to Minnesota, where Pettit secured a position in Rushford, while Dorothy taught across school districts in Caledonia and Mabel.

Over in Rushford Village, the couple purchased a 40-acre farm from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation through a bidding process. The property, which included a house, a barn and a granary, had been abandoned for a few years and needed major repairs.

“We did it all ourselves, and with the help of our friends, to put the house back in shape,” Pettit said. “We put a basement underneath it, and we took the old barn down and put a new shed up and another new shed. We’ve made it into something we like now.”

While transitioning to farm and civilian life after the military was not a huge adjustment, Pettit said he carried over many lessons and values from his service, including perseverance, teamwork and satisfaction from servitude.

“If things have to get done, it’s best if you just go ahead and get it done and do everything,” he said.

At first, the Pettits had no interest in raising animals or becoming farmers. Yet, as their children grew older, they began raising and showing cattle for 4-H. The family later added another 80 acres to the farm as well, bringing the total to 120.

“As we retired, we went more of a business route with the cattle and then started doing the farmers market and selling retail beef and pork,” Pettit said. “My wife was an ag teacher, so she had a pretty good understanding.”

The farm operation truly began when the couple retired. They made the decision to solely raise purebred Hereford cattle and swine; Dorothy had several as a kid, and Pettit remembers his father always purchasing Hereford meat from Annandale. Additionally, Pettit said Herefords are docile, easy to work with and the best-looking animals.

Many improvements have also been made to the farm over the years. Early on, the family used to sell cuts of meat at the Goodview and La Crescent farmers markets but now only sell off the farm. They are focusing on raising higher-quality stock through better selection and care as well.

Josef, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, also brings knowledge to JonDor Herefords through his degree. He studied animal science with a concentration in beef production. Furthermore, he assists with grooming, training, and showing the cattle and hogs.

“We’ve improved our animals, and it certainly shows when we go to the state fairs and county fairs around here,” Pettit said. “We have some very high-quality Herefords.”

Throughout his time serving in the Vietnam War, working many jobs, raising a family and starting a successful farming operation, Pettit said every moment has been a proud one. He is especially grateful that he and Dorothy were able to retire, work alongside one another and spend their time doing what they enjoy.

“We’re very satisfied to still be in the business and improving and enjoying it every day,” he said.