Community Builder Program
Each year, the Community Builder Program recognizes an individual, group, business or organization that has, through their outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making Victoria a better place today and for the future.
This may include life-long service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or any other exemplary achievements. Serving as the inspiration for this program, the City of Victoria is honored to name Sgt. Michael W. Notermann as the first recipient of the Community Builders Award.
Community Builder Awardee 2021: Sgt. Michael W. Notermann
Michael William Notermann was born on July 28, 1949, to John and Ethel Schroers Notermann of Victoria. He was the seventh of John and Ethel's thirteen children. Mike lived his entire life in Victoria up to the time he left home when drafted into the Army. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Victoria Catholic Church and received his elementary education through eighth grade at St. Victoria Catholic School. Michael was a 1967 graduate of Chaska High School. Following high school, Mike attended Control Data Institute and was employed at Control Data's Normandale plant in Bloomington, Minnesota, as a technician when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in April of 1969.
Mike left for training on April 2, 1969, at the age of 19. He received basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He began his Vietnam tour on March 9, 1970, where he held the rank of Sergeant. His military occupation or specialty was Light Weapons Infantry, attached to 199th Light Infantry Brigade, 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry, D Company. Mike was stationed in Vietnam until American soldiers were ordered into Cambodia in early June of 1970.
At the age of 20, Army Sergeant Michael W. Notermann was killed in action Friday morning, June 19, 1970, in Cambodia, Binh Duong province. On the fateful day, Mike, a platoon leader, was taking his turn near the front of the line and experienced a traumatic event through hostile action which resulted in his instant loss of life. Mike was survived by his parents, John and Ethel Notermann, and twelve brothers and sisters (Tom, Janet, Karen, Dianne, Kathy, Susie, Stan, Mary, Paul, Ann, Bill and Donna) as well as his sisters and brothers in law and several nieces and nephews.
Losing Mike left a huge hole in the hearts of his family, a loss that is still felt today, some 51 years later. Mike's death was not only a family's loss however, it was a loss felt throughout Victoria and the surrounding community at the time. Nearly everyone knew Mike because of the years working for his dad at Notermann's Grocery Store from the early age of about twelve to eighteen when he signed up for tech school. Sgt. Michael W. Notermann was the only Victoria son or daughter killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Michael is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. His name is inscribed on Panel 09w, Line 69. His commendations include:
Feel free to nominate any person or group who – in the past or present – live, operate a business, or volunteer in Victoria and meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for nomination:
The City of Victoria will accept nominations for the Community Builder Program throughout the year but the Council will select and name only one recipient annually. Nominations for consideration must be received by March 31 for consideration in June of the same year. Nominations received after March 1 will be considered for the following year.
Employees of the City of Victoria and individuals serving (or who have served) on the City’s committees, boards, task forces, and commissions are eligible for the Community Builder Program provided their nomination is not an extension of their role as an employee, or committee, board, task force, or commission representative.
An individual, group, organization or business may be nominated more than once for the same or different service, activity or achievement, etc. However, an individual, group organization or business may not be recognized as a Community Builder more than once for the same service, activity, or achievement, etc. Victoria City Council reserves the right to terminate the Community Builder Award before its closed date without any obligation to indemnify applicants. Further, City Council has the right to decide not to award the Community Builders Award if no applications are received, if no applications meet the eligibility criteria or if no applications are recommended by internal committees.
Nominations for the 2023 Community Builder Award
Submit nominations via our online form, email, or mail by March 31, 2023.
Submit a Nomination
Fill out the application to submit a nomination for the Community Builder Award.
Contact Information
Please contact Kendra Grahl, Communications and Public Engagement Manager, at kgrahl@ci.victoria.mn.us with any questions regarding the Community Builder Award.
This may include life-long service, outstanding acts of kindness, inspiring charitable work, community building or any other exemplary achievements. Serving as the inspiration for this program, the City of Victoria is honored to name Sgt. Michael W. Notermann as the first recipient of the Community Builders Award.
Community Builder Awardee 2021: Sgt. Michael W. NotermannMichael William Notermann was born on July 28, 1949, to John and Ethel Schroers Notermann of Victoria. He was the seventh of John and Ethel's thirteen children. Mike lived his entire life in Victoria up to the time he left home when drafted into the Army. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Victoria Catholic Church and received his elementary education through eighth grade at St. Victoria Catholic School. Michael was a 1967 graduate of Chaska High School. Following high school, Mike attended Control Data Institute and was employed at Control Data's Normandale plant in Bloomington, Minnesota, as a technician when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in April of 1969.
Mike left for training on April 2, 1969, at the age of 19. He received basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, AIT (Advanced Individual Training) at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He began his Vietnam tour on March 9, 1970, where he held the rank of Sergeant. His military occupation or specialty was Light Weapons Infantry, attached to 199th Light Infantry Brigade, 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry, D Company. Mike was stationed in Vietnam until American soldiers were ordered into Cambodia in early June of 1970.
At the age of 20, Army Sergeant Michael W. Notermann was killed in action Friday morning, June 19, 1970, in Cambodia, Binh Duong province. On the fateful day, Mike, a platoon leader, was taking his turn near the front of the line and experienced a traumatic event through hostile action which resulted in his instant loss of life. Mike was survived by his parents, John and Ethel Notermann, and twelve brothers and sisters (Tom, Janet, Karen, Dianne, Kathy, Susie, Stan, Mary, Paul, Ann, Bill and Donna) as well as his sisters and brothers in law and several nieces and nephews.
Losing Mike left a huge hole in the hearts of his family, a loss that is still felt today, some 51 years later. Mike's death was not only a family's loss however, it was a loss felt throughout Victoria and the surrounding community at the time. Nearly everyone knew Mike because of the years working for his dad at Notermann's Grocery Store from the early age of about twelve to eighteen when he signed up for tech school. Sgt. Michael W. Notermann was the only Victoria son or daughter killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Michael is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. His name is inscribed on Panel 09w, Line 69. His commendations include:
- Purple Heart
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Marksmanship Badge
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Army Presidential Unit Citation
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross
- Army Good Conduct Medal
Feel free to nominate any person or group who – in the past or present – live, operate a business, or volunteer in Victoria and meet one or more of the following criteria are eligible for nomination:
- have volunteered time and efforts to benefit others in our community
- have demonstrated excellence, courage or exceptional service to the citizens of Victoria
- have worked to foster a sense of community making a meaningful difference to Victoria
- whose contributions have significantly impacted Victoria
- or who represent historical significance to the community, the City of Victoria, the State of Minnesota or the United States
The City of Victoria will accept nominations for the Community Builder Program throughout the year but the Council will select and name only one recipient annually. Nominations for consideration must be received by March 31 for consideration in June of the same year. Nominations received after March 1 will be considered for the following year.
Employees of the City of Victoria and individuals serving (or who have served) on the City’s committees, boards, task forces, and commissions are eligible for the Community Builder Program provided their nomination is not an extension of their role as an employee, or committee, board, task force, or commission representative.
An individual, group, organization or business may be nominated more than once for the same or different service, activity or achievement, etc. However, an individual, group organization or business may not be recognized as a Community Builder more than once for the same service, activity, or achievement, etc. Victoria City Council reserves the right to terminate the Community Builder Award before its closed date without any obligation to indemnify applicants. Further, City Council has the right to decide not to award the Community Builders Award if no applications are received, if no applications meet the eligibility criteria or if no applications are recommended by internal committees.
Nominations for the 2023 Community Builder Award
Submit nominations via our online form, email, or mail by March 31, 2023.
- Submit a nomination in the form below.
- Copy information from the online form and submit via email to kgrahl@ci.victoria.mn.us.
- Print online form and submit via mail to City of Victoria, Minnesota, Attn: Kendra Grahl, 1670 Stieger Lake Lane, P.O. Box 36, Victoria, MN 55368.
Submit a Nomination
Fill out the application to submit a nomination for the Community Builder Award.
Contact Information
Please contact Kendra Grahl, Communications and Public Engagement Manager, at kgrahl@ci.victoria.mn.us with any questions regarding the Community Builder Award.