Vietnam vet PG Gentrup celebrates birthday Friday

(RISING SUN, Ind.) – Vietnam veteran and Indiana Military Hall of Fame member PG Gentrup is celebrating his 79th birthday today! 

Gentrup is well-known throughout Southeast Indiana for his involvement in countless initiatives that benefit veterans of all ages.

He is a member of the Southeastern Indiana Honor Guard, the Vietnam Veterans of America Lary D. Fogle Chapter 71, and oversees the Southeastern Indiana Veterans Museum in Rising Sun. 

Gentrup led the efforts to bring the Huey Helicopter memorial to Lesko Park in Aurora, the memorial for former Vietnam veteran John Borgman, he organizes birthday celebrations for local WWII veterans, presents Quilts of Valor and Purple Heart plaques to eligible veterans, places flags at a Rising Sun cemetery for Memorial Day, and much more.

He also organizes at least one trip every year where he takes veterans to Washington, D.C. for free. 

PG has impacted countless veterans as well as those who have not worn the uniform.

Raya and Tessa Ziegler are two young girls from Harrison who have raised over $30,000 to send veterans on the Tri-State Honor Flight over the past few years. 

While they and their mother, Rachel, are not related to PG, he has become a big part of their lives. 

Raya said, “PG took me to my daddy-daughter dance and we had so much fun. He always finds me Abe Lincoln stuff, who is my favorite historical figure, and I have so much fun going to D.C. with him.”

Tessa added, “PG took us on the veterans D.C. trip which was our first time there, and we had so much fun seeing everything. PG always shows up and supports us at our fundraisers. He treats us like family!” 

His service to veterans never stops. PG is serving as part of an Honor Guard for at least one funeral on his birthday today.

Another recent initiative of Gentrup's is that he served a pivotal role in getting two Lawrenceburg bridges renamed in honor of Vietnam soldiers from our area.

PG stays very active with his own family as he and his wife, Paula, have two children, Kelly and Brian, and they are heavily-involved in the lives of their 5 grandchildren.

Gentrup will often say, “If you want to see small town America at it’s best, then come to Southeast Indiana.”

PG is certainly one of those people who make Southeast Indiana great and we wish him a very happy birthday!!

RELATED: Watch the unique relationship between Gentrup and a Rising Sun fourth grader. Click this link.