2017 | Veterans 1 A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS SECOND SECTION First North Dakota woman parachutist Barbara Richau, Golden Valley By KATE JOHNSON Barbara and her other squad mates – as they dangled from their para- A roof over her head, food in her chutes, Barbara said they would tummy, and clothes on her back. visit and laugh as they waited for These are reasons Barbara Richau, their open chute to be released. Golden Valley, said joining up with Barbara had never stepped on a the military wasn’t plane before, let alone dangle 250 such a bad deal. feet from the ground. However, she After Barbara graduated high said she wasn’t scared and never let school she was unsure of what she any fear have control. wanted to do next. All she knew for “The fear was always there -- certain was that she didn’t want to you gave it a lot of respect, but it be in school anymore. never came to the forefront,” said She thought the next best option Barbara. was to sign up for the military. Out Once they were released, their of the options they had at the time, offi cer would be instructing them Barbara knew she wanted to be from the ground on what to do. able to pick the job she was going The third phase of training was to do – which wasn’t something jumping out of an to fully BARBARA RICHAU every sign-up sheet off ered. Having become “airborne.” Anyone who Barbara Richau, Golden Valley, never even fl own in a plane before was not airborne was referred to as served as a parachute rigger Barbara signed her name under a “leg,” which Barbara said no one from 1974-1976. “parachute rigger.” wanted to be a “grimy leg.” In 1974 she entered into para- On her and her squad’s fi rst trip After completing jump school, chute rigger training. up, their officers told them they she was then sent to rigger school “I had never fl own in a plane would fall asleep. She said they -- which was learning how to re- until I went to basic training. Now didn’t believe them and thought pair, inspect, and patch parachutes. I’m going to jump out of them,” she there wasn’t a chance they would These weren’t just parachutes sol- said with a laugh at the memory. fall unconscious while anticipating diers wore, these were parachutes After already going through the jump out of an airplane. But sure used to drop rations, jeeps, and physical training she entered into enough, they did, due to exhaustion any other items they needed in jump school training, for which she from what they had gone through in areas where ground access wasn’t was sent to Fort Benning, Ga. training up until that point. an option. “It was dark when I fi rst arrived Once they reached the desired Barbara said some of the para- at Fort Benning. There were fl ash- altitude, the officer asked for a chutes weighed up to 400 pounds. ing red lights coming from the 250 volunteer. Barbara said she realized On parachutes that large there parachute tower and I thought to quickly that you don’t volunteer would have to be a squad of riggers myself, ‘What the hell did I get for anything; however, she said the used to inspect them. Barbara’s myself into?’” Barbara said with words “I’ll go,” and stepped toward main job was initial inspection and a laugh. the door. fi nal inspection. She inspected the Barbara Richau was the fi rst North Dakota woman to jump out of The tower with fl ashing red lights With adrenaline coursing through parachutes for any holes or tears, an airplane and become “airborne.” She said these were posed was what hoisted Barbara and the her veins, the door opened. And just which, if she did find anything pictures which they could make whatever face they wanted to. other parachute riggers in training as she was about to let herself fall wrong with the chute, it would be up in their open parachutes. Once out of her very fi rst plane her offi cer sent off for repair. Once the chute Barbara spent 17 months at Fort After two years as a parachute they reached the top they would be stopped her. She was unsure why, went through repair, she would Bragg, N.C., a place that would be rigger, Barbara was ready for some- released and learned how to control but this meant she had to psych inspect it again before it went out the home to many cherished memo- thing diff erent. She headed back the parachute to get to the bottom. herself up again for the next time. the door. ries and friends who left lasting to North Dakota, which took three However, that isn’t what they Barbara was the fi rst North Da- Barbara had a large lighted table impressions. days because of a blizzard. She started their training with. Every- kota military woman to jump out of she rolled the parachutes out onto, One her ninth jump, Barbara enrolled in university using the GI where they went at jump school a plane and be a parachutist. hooking the top corner to one side severely sprained her ankle. Bill and gained her Class A driver’s they ran. The first part of jump Barbara said she will never forget and stretching it out to hook the bot- “I didn’t know you could see license, then worked for Dakota school was learning how to exit that feeling of exiting a plane, and tom end to the other. The parachutes stars in broad daylight,” she said. Westmoreland until she retired. the planes properly. There was a how the best jumps were the ones were made out of , which she They had been taught that when Barbara still refers to those days 34 ft. mock-up tower that they were she would walk right off the back said if they rubbed together at all they get close the ground they tuck as some of the best of her life. hooked to by a harness, with which end of the plane. they would burn. their elbows and fall onto the soft “I was 18 years old. I was being they would exit the mock up. However, there were times where To pack them they would fold part of your body, which is your taken care of, I had food, I had The second week was tower she would have to exit the plane the sections together and make sure side. It was this jump that brought clothes, I had a roof, steady work – week, when they were hoisted up through the door on the side of the there was air in there so that when it Barbara’s fear to the forefront, it was pretty good,” she said. 250 ft. with an open parachute. , which she said felt like it was released from the bag it came which shook her enough to fear If given the chance, she said she Three of them could hang at the was sucking you out. out smoothly. the jumps. would do it all again in a heartbeat. top together, waiting for it to be Once they completed fi ve jumps released. they were no longer called a “leg” The heights didn’t seem to bother and were offi cially “airborne.”

Honoring our military +Z\(DVW‡*DUULVRQ1' this Veterans Day!  2 Veterans | 2017

LARRY FAST TROY FAST WILBERT HARSCH Larry Fast served in the Army Troy Fast; Lance Corporal Wilbert Harsch served in the US as a Spec 5 Air Craft Mechanic served in the Marine Army from 1963 to 1965 and from 1967 to 1969. He served 1 Corp. from 1991-1995. He was National Guard in 1976 year in the Vietnam War. based in Hawaii and Okinawa, E4; Headquarters and Head- Japan quarters Battery 14th Artillery at Furth, Germany

Colonel James Olson was recently named 68th Troop Command commander. Olson named Troop Commander Soldiers of the Bismarck-based 68th Troop Command welcomed a new commander to the unit Sept. 17 during a change of command ceremony LAUREN TANDBERG LEWIS VIGEN JR. SOLOMON C DRATH at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory. Col. James Olson assumed duties as the 68th Troop Command com- Lauren Tandberg, former AVS Petty Offi cer 1st Class Lewis Solomon C Drath, Korean War mander from Col. Scott Fontaine, who has served in the position since employee, served in Vietnam Cody Vigen Jr. served from May 50-52 Served with 123rd Infan- 2015. Fontaine retired after more than 28 years of service with the North 1969-1970 with the 11th Ar- 1999 to July 2009. try, 2nd Indian head Division. Dakota Army National Guard. mored Cavalry, Blackhorse. Nuclear Physicist :Submarines, He received the Service Com- Olson enlisted in the North Dakota Guard in 1986. He was commis- SS BN 735-USS Pennslvania. bat Medal with 4 bronze stars sioned through the Reserve Offi cer Training Corps at North Dakota State and the United Nations Service University and has served in several leadership roles as an engineer offi cer Medal. in the 142nd Engineer Battalion. His most recent assignments include deputy commander of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade and commander of the 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion. Olson has deployed for overseas missions three times. In 2000, he served in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo as a general construction platoon leader with the 142nd Engineer Battalion. He again served overseas with the unit in 2003 in Iraq as the battalion plans of- fi cer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Olson returned to Kosovo in 2009 for a peacekeeping mission there as the future operations offi cer for Multinational Task Force East. Olson said his vision as 68th Troop Command commander is making sure the organization allows soldiers to get necessary training and be positioned within the National Guard to be successful. Olson holds a bachelor of science in business administration degree from North Dakota State University, a master of business administration from the University of Mary and is a 2016 graduate of U.S. Army War College with a degree in strategic studies. A native of Turtle Lake, Olson lives in Bismarck with his wife, Kathryn. They have two children, Kayla and Jack.

ROBERT NELSON WARREN WIEDRICH MASON WIEDRICH Robert Nelson – US Navy Warren Wiedrich served in the Mason Wiedrich is serving in 1959-1963. US Naval Academy US Navy from 1986 to 1992. the US Air Force. He joined in (Annapolis) Graduate 1963. 2016 to Present Served US Air Force 1963-1969

Thank you for your service and dedication to our country and its people!

WAYNE DELABARRE LONNIE DELABARRE ROLLAND DELABARRE Wayne DeLaBarre served in Lonnie DeLaBarre served in the Rolland DeLaBarre served in the Army as a Spec 4 in the Army as a Spec 4 in the Sup- the Army. Rolland served in Supply Unit from 1967 to 1969. ply Unit from 1965 to 1967. He WWII. 1942 captured by Japa- He served 1 year in the Vietnam served 1 year in the Vietnam nese 6 weeks after being de- War. War. ployed; prisoner until end of war. 2017 | Veterans 3

Saying Faces from the First War “THANK YOU” By DANIEL ARENS to our veterans Although seems like doesn’t begin to a distant past, it holds a prominent place in our nation’s history. The cover it, but it’s armistice that ended that war is a good place to commemorated every Nov. 11 with the celebration of Veteran’s Day. start. One hundred years ago, the fi rst great and devastating European war of the 20th century raged across the With Respect, Atlantic, and by the start of 1917 the Honor & United States was also being drawn into the confl ict. Gratitude, This special BHG Newspaper tab, released each year around Veteran’s Day, honors the 100th Your friends at anniversary of American involve- Wholesale Ag ment in the war in 1917. And it also honors the 99th anniversary of the peace that ended that confl ict: the Armistice of 1918, signed Nov. 11. Rural Mercer County in North Dakota was not aloof from the global war that spanned the world at that time. And, although none of these early North Dakota veterans are still alive, members of some of their families still living in the area can share their reminiscences of those before them who served their county in the Great War. Deapolis farm boys and brothers Adolf, left, and Dave Danielson Although the United States was return home from fi ghting at Verdun, , during World War I. only involved in the war for about Adolf served in the US Marine Corps and Dave served in the US a year, roughly 4.7 million soldiers Army. With the Danielsons is their “booty;” a rifl e, artillery casings, from the nation served in that war German helmet and other rememberances. Photo submitted by effort (according to http://www. Joan (Alderin) Suess, Jackson, Calif. scottmanning.com/content/world- war-i-troop-statistics/). Among the Mercer County natives who found Thank you Veterans themselves suddenly overseas in this eff ort were Albin Alderin and Ludwig Gutknecht. for all you do! Alderin was a native of Deapolis, an old town (that no longer exists) just to the east of Stanton. His great- nephew Gerald Alderin recalled his own memories of Albin’s service. “He told us kids a lot of stuff ,” Gerald recalled. “He was basically our primary babysitter at that point in life.” Albin served in the Meuse- Argonne off ensive during his time overseas. “He got gassed over in Ardennes, and his health never was quite right after that,” Gerald said. Inducted into the on May 25, 1918 in Stanton, presented by Albin served with various compa- nies throughout his near-year in the war service. He was discharged on Albin Alderin’s World War I uniform 0DLQ$YH April 17 of 1919 as a private from :DVKEXUQ Camp Dodge in Iowa. from August 1918 to March 1919. “There was a fl our mill out by  It’s not only memories that Ger- Also like Albin, Dave was dis- Krem,” Mel recalled. “Louis was ald carries with him of his great- charged from Camp Dodge. in charge of the mill.” Krem was uncle. In his house east of Stanton, Adolph, on the other hand, joined one of several small towns in Mer- Gerald has collected a variety of the U.S. Marine Corps, enlisting cer County that is now long gone; memorabilia from American his- with U.S. Navy in Minneapolis, Krem itself was located north of tory, including many personal items Minn. in March of 1918. He was Hazen. from family members who served. released from active duty in New One of Mel’s memories of his Among Gerald’s possessions is York City in early January of 1919, uncle was helping to dig the base- the uniform that Albin wore while and was discharged on Sept. 30, ment for his house when he himself he was in the service. Complete 1921. was only 12 years old. That meant, with his medical kit and gas mask, Many other local residents served in those days, digging by hand. this historical treasure provides 100 years ago in the Great War, in- Mel recalled the bravery needed our veterans a full look at what a World War I cluding a Hazen resident, Ludwig for Louis and other “Germans Army uniform looked like. Gutknecht. To his nephew Melvin, from ” who came to the area Besides the uniform, Gerald also Ludwig was always “Louis”. around the turn of the century. holds several pins that Albin wore Melvin (or Mel) noted that Louis “There was nothing here, you from the service. Albin’s old gun- was not born in the United States, know,” he said. “No doctors, no powder case is labeled “Verdun” but hailed originally from Russia. nurses.” His own ancestors slept after the famous battle. Ludwig was born in the town of in an overturned wagon during the Gerald said that Dave Danielson Arzis, although he had moved to winter months. was another World War I veteran the U.S. by the time of the First “That would have been darn who lived with his family while World War. cold,” Mel noted wryly. he was growing up. According to “As far as I know, he lived in This article provides only a brief a “Remember When” photo in the Hazen his entire life after that,” snapshot into the lives of a few Hazen Star, Dave and his brother Mel said. of Mercer County’s many World Adolph fought in Verdun, one of Like Albin and Dave Danielson, War I veterans. As we consider the the most famous locations from he received his induction in Stanton bravery and sacrifi ces of these men, the war. and was initially sent to (and later and multiply that to the many other Like Albin, Dave served in the discharged from) Camp Dodge. veterans local and throughout our U.S. Armym, while Adolph was in Unlike Albin and the Danielson country, we fi nd ourselves over- the Marines. Dave was inducted on brothers, Louis was not a farmer, whelmed in awe and gratitude for Sept. 18 of 1917, serving overseas but worked as a stationary engineer. their service and courage. Remembering our Veterans 4 Veterans | 2017 A hero to nurses and a savior of soldiers By JOSEPH T. STUART

Although the U.S. did not enter the Great War until 1917, a number of Bismarck residents left to serve in the confl ict before then, fi ghting alongside British troops or as nurs- es with Canadian forces. The story of Dr. E.P. Quain is particularly fascinating because he witnessed both the beginning and the end of the confl ict. A cultured gentleman born in Sweden, Quain arrived in Bismarck in 1899 and three years later started the renowned Quain and Ramstad Clinic – now Sanford Clinic. Some of the North Dakota nurses who served in the war received through Quain’s clinic, said one, “a most wonderful training, one that any nurse would prize.” A nurse from the eastern U.S. told Wanda Dreger, a Bismarck nurse, that “If he is one of your surgeons from your hospi- DARYL BYKONEN DARREN BYKONEN tal, I am envious of you.” Army 1971 & 1972 U.S. Army 1970 & 1971 As soon as the U.S. declared war, Quain went to Washington Vietnam War.... the brothers spent 43 days together in same fi re to off er his services. Returning to base in Vietnam. Bismarck, he organized a mobile surgical section with volunteer Bismarck nurses under his com- mand and equipped largely by local organizations. Connected to a base CREDIT: State Historical Society of ND hospital in France, Quain – a hero Dr. Eric Quain as a young physician in 1904 and as a lieutenant to the nurses – led his unit to the colonel in 1917. Quain went on to help found Bismarck’s Quain EMMANUEL HINSZ front lines of battle. and Ramstad Clinic, now Sanford. US Army 1918 – 1919 One nurse who served with him remembered thousands of patients them. Dr. Quain witnessed the strained in every fi bre.” passing through the hospital and huge crowds of people cheering in Europe stood at the height of the front so near she could hear the the streets at the outbreak of war, prosperity and global dominance continuous roaring of guns. “Yet unaware of the years of misery in 1914. The period before the there was a feeling of satisfaction ahead. war has been remembered as the to those who fl ung themselves into In his 1914 interview, Quain Golden Age, the Gilded Age, or ELDOR W. HINSZ the work of binding the wounds told the Bismarck Tribune of the the Belle Epoque. It was an era of US Navy 1952 – 1955 and alleviating suff ering humanity high type of civilization achieved peace, prosperity, and artistic and as nobly as did those nurses,” she by Germany. “Their cities are technological innovation. wrote. beautiful, with clean streets, fi ne However, the seemingly end- Three years before, Quain had buildings, great, airy parks, and less slaughter of the Great War TERRY LEE SPEAR toured medical clinics throughout their hospital buildings are models. destroyed the faith of Europeans in Terry Lee Spear served from Europe and found himself stuck in Germany was making wonderful their own values. It ended an age 1969 to 1971. He served in as the war broke out in the progress industrially, everybody and Dr. Quain saw it happen – both the Vietnam War. Honorable CLIFFORD HINSZ summer of 1914. In an interview was happy, busy, prosperous. Now, at the outbreak and at the exhausted Discharge. Father of Deanna US Marine Corp. 1955 – 1958 upon finally returning home to in Germany, and over all Europe, end in the Armistice of 1918, as his Frantsen. Bismarck in September, he told this prosperity has given way surgical section worked to clean up of fellow Americans fleeing the to terrible uncertainty, business the mess. Continent to London to escape the establishments are ruined, homes --- Joseph T. Stuart, Ph.D., is as- confl ict. The Londoners treated are wrecked, thousands and tens of sociate professor of history at the the forlorn American travelers with thousands of widows and orphans University of Mary in Bismarck. great kindness, opening hotels for must appeal to a nation already To our veterans...

BOBBY NEUBERGER MELVIN P. BECKLER Bobby Neuberger served in Melvin P. Beckler served in the the US Army: 7th Battalion 8 U.S. Air Force: Active May 31 Artillery and 2nd Field Force. 1955 to Feb. 18 1959; Standby 1968-1969: Served for 427 days Reserve Feb. 19 1959 to May (19 months and 1 day in the 30 1963. Air Training Command service, 14 months and one day Airman First Class (E-4). Crew in Vietnam). Stationed in Bien Chief: T-33A Shooting Star Jet Hoa, Ben Luc, and Xuan Loc. Aircraft Trainer. Honoring Veterans Day Thank You

Family Friendly • Full Service Dining 2SHQ0RQGD\±6DWXUGD\DPWRSP 6XQGD\DPSP FOUR SEASONS RESTAURANT 0DLQ6W‡*DUULVRQ‡ 463-2262 • Garrison, ND 679-2140 • Max, ND www.garrisonstate.bank 2017 | Veterans 5 The footsteps of a brother it just fi lled with things he knew Men follow path about or that pertained to him, and of Washburn he made diff erent little notes about things,” Elaine said. Vietnam veteran Over the years, those books would be shared among Clay, Ken, By ALYSSA MEIER Don, and another Washburn local and longtime friend, Dewey Oster. Just shy of fi fty years after Wash- The books were just part of a vast burn veteran Clay Carr was injured collection of Clay’s personal collec- in the Vietnam War, his brother and tion of Vietnam momentos, some of a brother in arms traveled across the which came home with him from globe to the scene of the confl ict to the war. retrace the young soldier’s steps. “He kept every single letter he In March 2016, a little less ever got,” Elaine said, showing a than fi ve years after Clay’s death, rubber-banded stack of faded en- his brother and a longtime friend velopes. “They meant so much to packed their bags and took a trip to him, so he kept them all.” the other side of the world. Clay’s After Clay died, Elaine gave the older brother, Ken Carr, and close letters back to Clay’s friends and friend and fellow veteran, Don family members. Kost, decided to visit the country “When we had our 50th class after Clay’s death and learn what reunion last year, our classmates they could during a week-long that had sent cards and letters, I adventure. gave them back to them,” Elaine “We wanted to see where Clay said. “And they were so amazed that had been, and Don wanted to see he held onto them all these years.” how the country had changed since Clay, who was part of the Twins he’d been there,” Ken said. A collection of momento’s are laid out on wife Elaine Carr’s table. Items include the American Flag Platoon, was honored in 2010 when Ken had heard stories of Vietnam given to Clay’s family, books, Clay’s uniform cap, his obituary, Clay’s two Purple Hearts and rifl e he was asked to raise the United from his brother and Don, who expert badge, a Marine Corps recruit guide, a 2010 issue of the Leader-News about Clay raising the States flag during the 50th An- served in the army during the war. fl ag at Target fi eld, photos and a bound book documents from his service. (Alyssa Meier) niversary of the Minnesota Twins But what the men found upon ar- Baseball organization. riving was a starkly diff erent scene were standing right there.” hit, that if you could walk, you were Center in Washington. “He was so humbled and so ex- than the images in their head of a Vietnam 1967-68 carrying a rifl e.” “He was going to be fl own to cited, but he didn’t want anyone to war-torn country. Clay had entered the Marines at A few short days after return- the Naval hospital, but his kidneys know,” Elaine said. “He didn’t want “I was surprised to see what 18 years old, just after fi nishing his ing to combat, Clay was hit by a failed and they had to touch down to seem like he was bragging.” Vietnam looked like now,” Don freshman year at Dickinson State -propelled grenade, leaving at the Tacoma Air Force Base,” Ken And like many important events said. “The cities are like cities in University. Ken said his brother, him critically wounded in both legs. said. “They thought he was going to throughout Clay’s life, his brother the United States, just prosperous.” who never felt like school was a Clay’s wife, Elaine Carr of Wash- die, so they had to take a detour.” and friends were right there by his But, Ken said, during their jour- good fi t for him, opted to join the burn, said her husband recounted Elaine said that gangrene had side. Don and Dewey, who had been ney, the men uncovered ominous military in June of 1967. Ken said to her the moment just before he spread throughout Clay’s injured the best man in Clay’s wedding, reminders hidden in plain sight. Clay departed for Marine Corps was injured. limbs, and it was taking a toll on traveled to Minneapolis to witness “Our hotel was smack dab in Base Camp Pendleton as a lanky “He was up in front, and said he his body. Ken said nurses told his Clay raising the fl ag. the middle of where Clay was at,” boy, but was unrecognizable just could hear the bullets coming up family that they didn’t think Clay “They were all so proud of him,” Ken said. several weeks later. on him from behind,” Elaine said. would make it, but after amputating Elaine said. Ken said a cafe around the cor- “He went in this tall string bean, “He told me ‘I zigged when I should his right leg, Clay started to recover. The group of four men, who ner from the men’s hotel contained 6’3” and 165 pounds. He came back have zagged,’ and down he went.” “As big and tough as he was, he knew each other since elementary photos from around the time of the just massive,” Ken said. “I always Clay was medivaced out of Hue pulled through,” Ken said. “He went school, stayed close throughout Tet Off ensive, which Clay took part remember his hands. His fi ngers and transported to a hospital in back down to Oakland and went college, military service and retire- in. When they found out the photog- were just sausages.” Guam before heading back to an through rehab down there.” ment. rapher was on site, the pair asked Clay was sent to Vietnam in Air Force base in . His Life after Vietnam “He was a year younger than me him about the Military Assistance December of 1967, just after his family back in North Dakota was Clay received two Purple Hearts and Don, but we were inseparable,” Command-Vietnam (MACV) com- 19th birthday. On Jan. 31, 1968, his notifi ed soon after that Clay was for his injuries suff ered during com- Ken said. “Us four just teamed pound, which had been referenced platoon moved into Hue as part of being moved to a Naval hospital in bat, and was honorably discharged up together and did everything in books about the Tet Off ensive. the Tet Off ensive campaign. Eight Washington, but then, Ken said, his on Dec. 31, 1968. He returned together.” “I asked if he could point out the days later, Clay was wounded when brother vanished. to Washburn to work as a book- And after Clay’s death, the men MACV compound, and he points his grenade pouch was hit during “We lost track of him. We didn’t keeper for Hoff man Motors before continue to keep him close, even if about a half a block away and there combat, sending shrapnel into his know where he was,” Ken said. serving as the City Auditor from it means traveling halfway around it was,” Ken said. back. Ken said Clay spent three Ken said the Washington hos- 1978 to 1994, a lifestyle, Ken said, the world. While exploring more of Hue, days in the hospital, but was quickly pital reported that Clay had never that likely hadn’t been what Clay “Going to Vietnam fulfilled the men stumbled upon another back out on the front lines. arrived, and for two days, the expected. something I needed to do, some- reminder of Clay’s service, right in “He talks about it being a minor family sat waiting for word of his “I remember him telling me that thing I needed to see,” Ken said. the midst of a tourist destination. thing, but I remember the scars on whereabouts, fearing for the worst. he would have made a career of the “Just to walk those streets and be “The area where they medevaced his back -- big chunks of meat miss- Finally, they received help from a Marine Corps if he had not gotten where Clay was.” Clay out was right next to where we ing,” Ken said. “But they were so phone operator who was determined hurt,” Ken said. “He loved it, and he Don said he thought Clay would took a boat tour,” Ken said. “We short-handed when Tet Off ensive to track Clay down. would have been great at it.” have been happy to see his friends “The phone operator there said Clay spent much of his time after visiting Vietnam and learning more ‘Stay with me,’ to my sister, Carol. the service reading about the Tet about the history of the country and ‘If he is in the States, we’ll fi nd Off ensive, Hue and much of the about the war that changed his life. him,’” Ken said. Vietnam war, marking up the pages “I think he would have thought it After several hours anxiously of books with his own memories was a good idea,” Don said. “I think waiting on the phone, the operator and accounts of the war. he would have liked it.” found Clay at an Army Medical “He bought this book and had ♥ Heart of Lake Sakakawea &LW\RI1HZ7RZQ 32%R[ 1HZ7RZQ1RUWK'DNRWD 3KRQH  

Washburn • 701-462-3232

© Vic Jacquot www.fsbwashburn.bank 6 Veterans | 2017 Veterans serve as they honor By ALLAN TINKER fl ag and this is the Legion’s attempt present eff ort is an attempt to rem- to help with proper display for those edy the good hearts of the soldiers The Turtle Lake American Le- who would like to do so. remaining and to honor those who gion, in conjunction with Mercer Nelson asked people to call him have since died. veterans, serve their community if further questions or for help in The names collected from Don in many ways. Among these have obtaining a fl ag pole. They have a Sondrol are, in collected order, with been recognizing the veterans of the good site with reasonably priced the years of service, if provided: Vietnam era, many who served in poles for reference. Russell E. Stadler, 1953 to 1955; direct military support but outside Nelson’s telephone number is Merlyn Skaley; Gaylen Nelson, Ray of Vietnam. 701-448-2568. Murray, 1970-1971; Marv Anseth, Among the services they con- Don Sondrol was also instru- 1968-1971; Jim Blotter, 1956-1961; tinue, is respect for veterans and mental in initiating the award of Ernest Schock; Lean Guenthner, their families through many proj- Vietnam era pins in two services at 1964-1972; Doug Hanson, 1961- ects, the latest of these related to the Turtle Lake Legion hall during 1964; Doran Helper, 1970-1972; fl ag display and proper disposal of regular Legion meetings. Gene Nerby; Cruse Bentz, 19-62 unserviceable fl ags. If gratitude could be silver, ap- to 1965; Jim Britton, 1965-1968; The most recent action was a fl ag preciation covered with diamonds Vikki Neff Tolbert, 1974-1978; Don disposal service for the students and and their homes lined with gold, the Sondrol, 1954-1957; Clayne Abra- staff of Turtle Lake-Mercer School Vietnam veterans that were recog- hamson, 1954-1957; Jerry Baker, outside the school on October 13. nized on Friday, November 11, in 1955-1969; Andy Maizo (sp?); The Legion demonstrated the prop- Turtle Lake and at other meetings, Harley Halvorson, 1972-1975; er rituals for the disposal, including would be no richer in value in the Chester Faudskar, 1961-1965; Les From left, Turtle Lake Veteran Archie Reinhart, Goodrich Veteran verification that the flags were, public’s eyes than they are now. Reiser; Les Petryszyn, 1965-1967; and Service offi cer James Paulus, Goodrich legion Post Com- indeed, no longer usable in their The crowd fi lled the American Clyde Nelson, 1962-1965; Ray mander Kenneth Konschak, read the proclamation and information present condition. Clyde Nelson, legion Hall from 5 p.m. until well Olson, 1967-1969; Ray Iverson, regarding the symbolism of the lapel pin presented to 41 veterans Don Sondrol, Valerie Guenthner, past 9 p.m. They gathered to say 1973-1975; Allen Hetzler, 1967- on Veteran’s Day. Legion Commander Jim Britton is back right. Marvin Anseth, Jim Blotter, Val thank you, to honor those who 1969; George Gilfus, 1953-1955; Bott, Doug Hanson, Ray Murray, served, and to enjoy the Legions Paul Gondiger, 1971-1974; Wayne Harley Halvorson and Tom Linde- pancake and sausage meal. The Landsiedel, 1957-1962; George Kl- lien took part in the service. basket for free-will donations emetsrud, 1970-1979; James Rask, Nelson was also instrumental in was heaped with dollar bills of all 1971-1978; Allan Laib, 1960-1964; a fl ag project to encourage people denominations, lending fi nancial Wyatt Eisenbraun; Cliff Alexander, to display fl ags and to display them support to the strong club that forms 1967-1970; Ruth Johnson, 1973- properly on their own property, the glue that keeps veteran’s well 1977; Stanley Tomlinson, 1958- either for special occasions or on a served in the community 1960; John Larson, 1956-1963; daily basis. Turtle Lake American On hand to help with the cer- Brian Tinker, 1965-1969; Bob Ball; Legion has decided to off er fl ags emonies were Goodrich Legion Larry Dziuk, 1959-1963; Carmen free of charge to Turtle Lake and Commander Kenneth Konschak Anderson, 1957-1958; Art Varney; Mercer residents who agree to and Veterans Service offi cer James Steve Gilbert; Val Bott, 1960-1964; display the fl ags according to the Paulus. The two, helped by Turtle Curtis Kohler, 1969-1970; Del proper etiquette. Lake Legion member Don Sondrol, Gullickson; Max Iverson; Keith Legionnaire Clyde Nelson stated went through the list of 55 names Bundy, 1972-1974; Reed John- that it would be nice to see a fl ag submitted, with 41 attending for son, 1966-1969; Randy Anderson, fl ying on every street in both towns. the award. 19963-1982; Ray Kovaenko, 1954- The fl ags are embroidered nylon Those on the list who served be- 1962; Glen Weible, 1970-1972; fabric and 3 by 5 feet-long. The tween November 1, 1955 and May Orvin Ravnaas, 1965-1967; Archie Surrounded in back by Turtle Lake-Mercer School students, Turtle poles and lighting (for night display 15, 1975, were not all “in country” Reinhart, 1966-1969; and Bruce Lake Legion member Clyde Nelson demonstrated the proper way are up to the displayer. The fl ags on the record. This designation in- Kocher, 1966-1965. to dispose of an unserviceable fl ag. will come with the brochure that dicated those who were in Vietnam With the election of offi cers and explains fl ag etiquette. at some portion of their service Vietnam-era recognition ceremo- munity of those who have served March 7 meeting of the Turtle Lake Nelson noted that the nylon fl ags, time. Others served stateside or in nies, the March 7 birthday meeting our country in any branch of the American Legion Post 133. They depending upon the weather, if other locations in support duty to of the Turtle Lake American Legion military, during peace times or war. are Ernest Schock, Turtle Lake; displayed 24-hours a day will last their general branch of service. Post 133 was an eventful night. The The cake was baked and decorat- Gordon L Cermak, McClusky; a year or more. Regardless of when they served, start of the meeting, with a meatball ed by Aileen Erdmann and the meal Daryl Bykonen, Underwood; Gary Nelson explained that often as Konschak noted in his speech, supper and birthday cake, was a served by the Legion Auxiliary. Anderson and Craig Lakoduk, people simply do not know what is they were not warmly welcomed small part of the veteran’s eff orts Five Vietnam-era veterans re- Turtle Lake. All but Cermak served proper for display of the American home from this war’s duty. The to remind the nation and their com- ceived commemorative pins at the “in country.” Flag Etiquette The Legion website has com- hours a day, if properly illuminated plete information available on fl ag during the hours of darkness. etiquette, also. “The flag should be hoisted The following is abridged ex- briskly and lowered ceremoniously. cerpts from that site. “The flag should not be dis- “Title 4, United States Code, played on days when the weather Chapter 1, as adopted by the Na- is inclement, except when an all- tional Flag Conference, Washing- weather fl ag is displayed. ton, D.C., June 14-15, 1923, and “The fl ag, when carried in a pro- revised and endorsed by the Second cession with another fl ag or fl ags, National Flag Conference, Wash- should be either on the marching ington, D.C., every new presiden- right; that is, the fl ag’s own right, tial term, gives the code of ethics or, if there is a line of other fl ags, and display for the American Flag. in front of the center of that line. “The Pledge of Allegiance to the “The fl ag should not be displayed fl ag should be rendered by standing on a fl oat in a parade except from a at attention facing the fl ag with the staff , or as provided in subsection right hand over the heart. (i) of this section. “When not in uniform, men “When displayed either horizon- should remove any non-religious tally or vertically against a wall, the headdress with their right hand and union should be uppermost and to hold it at the left shoulder, the hand the fl ag’s own right, that is, to the being over the heart. observer’s left. “Persons in uniform should re- “When displayed in a window, main silent, face the fl ag, and render the fl ag should be displayed same the military salute. Members of the way, with the union or blue fi eld to Armed Forces not in uniform and the left of the observer in the street. veterans may render the military “No disrespect should be shown salute in the manner provided for to the flag of the United States persons in uniform. of America; the flag should not “Existing rules and customs be dipped to any person or thing. pertaining to the display and use Regimental colors, State fl ags, and Mountrail-Williams Electric Co-Operative of the fl ag of the United States of organization or institutional fl ags America is established for the use are to be dipped as a mark of honor. would like to salute the veterans for their service and a job well done of such civilians or civilian groups “The fl ag should never be dis- or organizations. played with the union down, ex- Your energy source in Stanley,Williston, & New Town “It is the universal custom to cept as a signal of dire distress in display the fl ag only from sunrise instances of extreme danger to life to sunset on buildings and on a Call in New Town:701-627-3550 stationary fl ag staff in the open. The FLAG or toll free: 800-279-2667 fl ag may be displayed twenty-four Continued on page 10 2017 | Veterans 7 To enlist was a natural act By KATE JOHNSON by the U.S.S. Saratoga; however, the Saratoga was needed to aide a According to Steve Blaisdell, carrier in the States, which forced Beulah, enlisting in the Navy was the carrier Steve was aboard to stay a natural act. He followed in the at its post. footsteps of his fi ve brothers before “That was a long tour,” Steve him who all served in the Navy and recalled. Air Force. After it was over, they were sent As military recruiters came to Virginia to be docked in the around his high school in 1965, shipyard and be checked out before Steve was already signed up to they were then sent back out for enlist in the Navy. Ten days after another cruise. graduation he was sent off to train- Steve refl ected on times that are ing in Great Lakes, Minn. It was long-lasting. One was being an- there he was granted what he de- chored at Istanbul, Turkey. sired to do: Naval Aviation. “Istanbul loved it when the sail- He started his training in naval ors came, because they got a lot of aviation stations in Florida. From money,” said Steve. there he moved to Tennessee for a During a demonstration for second round of schooling. During nuclear weapons a fi ght had broken training the men learned to do many out, causing one of the ships Liberty things, but one Steve recalled was launched to sink. Once everyone jumping from a platform into the made it back to the carrier, Steve water, while detaching a parachute. said they pulled up the anchor and “As you’re entering the water left. you have to be releasing the discon- “We were on the ship and ready nects on there and throwing it off . to do whatever it was we needed,” And then you dive as deep as you said Steve. can into the pool and swim away as Another experience was during Steve today in his home in Beulah amongst his veteran memorabilia. far as you can then you come up,” one of his deck launches, which he explained Steve, who mentioned he explained is when the planes are in Often times Soviet ships would cut was one of the lucky ones who only close quarters of him and the crew in front during the recovery of an had to do the exercise once. during take-off and landing -- as if American aircraft, forcing the plane Once his school was complete you were standing by your house to turn and that pilot and his plane to Steve was sent off to Europe to and the plane was landing in the pull up and go back around. Steve climb aboard the U.S.S. Indepen- street. explained this was a tactic used by dence CVA 62 in 1966. The ship During a deck launch of a RA- the Soviet ships to make that pilot would be Steve’s home and family 5C, one of its engines went out. to be wasting more fuel, since they for the next four years of his life. “When one engine goes out the were coming to land they were Four years that would become other has to take over, and what hap- already potentially low. defi ning and leave life-long impres- pens is it spirals before the pilot can Steve’s last unforgettable experi- sions in his memory. get a hold of it,” explained Steve, ence was during the recovery of a “I was in D2 division, which is in “they only have one chance to hit F4 Phantom, which he said blew charge of launching and recovery of the ejection.” a few hundred yards from their air craft,” said Steve. He explained However, according to Steve, carrier. that he was a green shirt, and the the pilot mis-timed the ejection and “He was in trouble, I won’t say Steve standing on the U.S.S. Independence in 1967. Behind him color of shirt you wore determined both men were shot into the water anything more,” said Steve. is a radar device to see what is approaching. what department you worked in. For and killed. Still, after decades of being example: Fuel, electronics, moving Steve explained the take-off and retired from the Navy, Steve says going the next day which was con- on at Dakota Gasifi cation Company the planes, etc. landing procedures, and how, dur- there are still things he won’t talk sidered classifi ed,” explained Steve, which is where he stayed until he Steve was a part of three cruises, ing take-off , a plane would want about, knowing that most things are “So I had a secret clearance.” retired in 2006. one of which lasted 13 months, fi ve to be going with the wind, but pertained to be classifi ed. He mentioned that any piece of Steve discussed the military was months longer than a typical cruise. meanwhile, during landing, a plane “There was times, the last cruise paper you saw in that room could in his family’s blood, coming from They were supposed to be relieved would be coming against the wind. I was on, I saw where we were be considered classifi ed. his mother’s and father’s sides. Not “You learn that you don’t talk only his brothers were enlisted, but about things,” said Steve. cousins all sharing that natural act He said how on some cruises, and that there is an importance to even the admiral may not know military and the time spent in it. where their destination is until the Steve recalled a crab apple tree morning after they have already set his mother had outside their home, off into open water. which for some years she always It was in 1969 that Steve was had three yellow ribbons hanging honorably discharged from the from it, to symbolize her three sons Navy and, like three of his brothers, who were currently enlisted. he used the GI Bill to get an edu- When it came to overcoming cation. This is how Steve became a millwright. Starting his work in TO ENLIST Minnesota in 1983, he was hired Continued on page 9

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611 Main Ave, Washburn, ND 58577 Honoring Our 701-462-3848 • Fax: 701-462-3858 THOMAS METZ LESTER ZIETZ IRWIN WIEGER Email: [email protected] Heroes SGT. Thomas Metz served from Lester Zietz of Underwood. He Irwin (Tudor) Wieger served 1970 to 1972. He served over- served active Army in Korea from 1943 to 1945. seas in Vietnam from 1970-71. from 52-54 and reserves until Company L 324 Infantry Regi- National Guards from 1981- 1960. ment, 44th Division, 7th Army 2003 We honor all who served

JARED SHERVEN HOPE TRANA JASON HUSHKA Jared Sherven served in the US Hope Trana served in the Army Jason Hushka served in the US Army National Guard for almost National Guard for 15 years. Navy from 1992 to 1996, and 2 14 1/2 years of active service. years inactive reserve. He was Still currently serving. in radio communications and served on the ship USS Lewis B Puller - FFC-23. THANK YOU, VETERANS!

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Your courage and bravery are an JOHN KRIZAN GARY W. KIENZLE JASON CLARK inspiration to all. John Krizan served in the US Corporal Gary W. Kienzle Jason Clark had 13 years Air Force; Sargent - 334th Tech- served the US Army from 1966 USAF, and 8 years at Minot nical Fighter Squadron from to 1968. He went on to a year AFB, 4 years at Elmendorf AK Th ank you 1966 to 1970. Served in Korea, long tour in the Central High- AFB. Deployed 8 times. Okinawa and Southeast Asia. lands of Vietnam. He was in veterans! the artillery battery for his entire stay. Contact us: McLean Family Resource Center 24/7 hot line 462-8643 [email protected] Larsen Service Drug, Inc. 2SHQ0RQGD\±)ULGD\ 1RZZLWKORFDWLRQVLQ1HZ7RZQ :DWIRUG&LW\

JOSHUA P. WOLFF KENT STROH JOSEPH KLEIN Joshua P. Wolff is from Golden Kent Stroh served in the US Joseph Klein served in the US Valley. He served in the US Navy from 1973 to 1979. Army, 101 Airborne from 1967 Army National Guard from 2001 Machinist Mate, 1st Class to 1969. LARSEN SERVICE DRUG to 2012. THANKS ALL VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE 2017 | Veterans 9

CREDIT: State Historical Society of ND With strong popular support for the war, Minot businessmen Jim Scofi eld and Julius Weinrebe dressed as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson for an April 6, 1918 parade in Minot. TO ENLIST Continued from page 7 whatever fear, Steve said you just one of his classmates cried because didn’t have it because it was some- it was the fi rst time anyone has ever thing you had to do and that needed given him anything for his years of to be done, like running over the service. catwalk that had the crashing waves Steve holds his time in the Navy CREDIT: State Historical Society of ND below and only a mesh wiring to with pride and gets its importance A rousing concert by the Second North Dakota Regiment Band -- musicians from Harvey directed catch you if you fell. to his life. by Harold Bachman -- stirred patriotic enthusiasm at a 1917 concert at the Belle Mehus Auditorium “You’re using those catwalks all “All I can say is, it took the boy in Bismarck, which had been completed earlier that year. the time, so you just do what you and made him a man in 4 years,” got to do,” said Steve. said Steve. During his 50-year class reunion, The time he spent on that ship, Steve said the Veterans’ Organiza- with those men, and gaining those tion gave members of his class experiences is something he will America Goes to War Wounded Warrior blankets. He said never forget. By TOM ISERN Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bul- edness provoked America to war. garia, and Turkey. Exhibit A: the Zimmerman Note. In The night before North Dakota President Wilson issued a proc- January 1917 German Foreign Min- troops shipped out in 1917, they lamation of neutrality calling on ister Arthur Zimmermann cabled got a rousing send-off into the grand Americans to remain “impartial in the German minister in Mexico adventure and unknown peril of the thought as well as in action.” Most with an astonishing, calculated Great War. Citizens gathered in Americans agreed, hoping to stay scheme -- that if the U.S. entered Bismarck’s Belle Mehus Audito- on the sidelines of what shaped the war, Mexico should declare rium, completed just that January. up as a bloody, costly war of mass war against the United States in A rousing concert by the Second armies and fearful armaments. Neu- order to win back territory lost in Goetz North Dakota Regiment Band -- trality became diffi cult, however, as 1848. British intelligence decoded Funeral Nathan P. Grubb & Staff musicians from Harvey directed by the war dragged on. the note. Newspapers screamed www.goetzfuneralhomes.com Harold Bachman -- stirred patriotic In the fi rst place, Americans were headlines of German perfi dy. The Homes enthusiasm. Bachman’s band was never “impartial in thought.” Ties of disclosure resonated with North Da- a great favorite; people said those language, culture, and history made kotans because their own national boys could play anything. them sympathetic to Britain and guardsmen recently had protected They were equally confident France. In North Dakota (with its the Mexican border. their boys could handle any situa- large population of Germans from The Zimmerman Note’s impact tion and defeat the German enemy. Russia) and elsewhere in America, was the greater because January Land of the Nevertheless, there was a disso- substantial minorities sympathized 31, in a high-stakes risk, Germany nant undertone. The appearance with Germany and spoke fondly began unrestricted submarine war- Free and remarks of Gov. Lynn Frazier of Kaiser Bill (one North Dakota fare, meaning submarines were au- drew criticism. His faction of the farmer naming a prize bull after thorized to sink American vessels. Because Republican Party, the Nonpartisan him), but they were minorities. Brit- When they commenced doing so, League, had been less than full- ain organized skillful propaganda President Wilson called for war, and voiced in support of the war, and campaigns, depicting Germans as Congress declared it April 4, 1917. of the Frazier could not resist warning “Huns” committing terrible atroci- “There are, it may be, many against “profi teering” by opportu- ties, to keep Americans siding with months of fi ery trial and sacrifi ce Brave. nistic capitalists. the Allies. ahead of us,” the president intoned. The United States entered the The issue of neutral rights, espe- “It is a fearful thing to lead this Great War with mixed motives but cially rights to trade with nations at great peaceful people into war, into a great deal of enthusiasm. The zeal war, was an ongoing aggravation as the most terrible and disastrous of of North Dakotans for war matched Germany sought to quarantine its all wars, civilization itself seeming that of the nation at large, suppress- enemies against the receipt of arms to be in the balance. But the right 420 5th Ave SE • Garrison, ND ing divisions and dissent. and even the essential goods of life. is more precious than peace, and 701-463-2300 Triggering the catastrophic war The longer the war continued, the we shall fi ght for the things which was the act of a young Serbian more severe and violent became we have always carried nearest our nationalist, Gavrilo Princip. On the German quarantine, relying on hearts—for democracy, for the right June 28, 1914, he shot to death submarines, U-boats, for enforce- of those who submit to authority to the heir to the Austria-Hungarian ment. This led to considerable loss have a voice in their own govern- At present throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, of life as submarines torpedoed ments, for the rights and liberties and his wife, Sophie, the Duch- Allied and, eventually, American of small nations, for a universal two*RGEOHVV private ess of Hohenberg. That infl amed vessels plying the Atlantic. dominion of right by such a concert rivalries between Austria-Hungary Most famously, a submarine sank of free peoples as shall bring peace RXUWURRSV and Russia, leading to ultimatums, the British liner Lusitania. More and safety to all nations and make rooms the involvement of allies of the an- than 1,200 died, including some the world itself at last free.” available for tagonists, and swiftly, in the words 120 Americans. North Dakotans Wilson struck an ide- DQGYHWHUDQV of historian Barbara Tuchman, the took satisfaction reading of the alistic tone that inspired action. “guns of August.” heroism of Park River physician North Dakotans therefore joined a occupancy After Great Britain entered the Andrew Foss, a passenger who monumental war eff ort that turned confl ict because of German viola- saved victims bobbing at sea, but the tide in favor of the Allies and tion of Belgian neutrality, essen- the nation was outraged. Urgent defeated Germany. tially all of Europe was at war: the diplomacy managed to keep the Tom Isern is a Great Plains Allies, comprising France, Britain, United States out of war for a while. historian and professor of history Belgium, , Serbia, and Rus- President Wilson was re-elected in at North Dakota State University sia (which dropped out after the 1916 with the slogan, “He kept us in Fargo. A home like atmosphere for the elderly and younger. Bolshevik Revolution) opposing out of war.” Sheridan Memorial Home the Central Powers, comprising In the end, German heavy-hand-

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or property. “The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the fl oor, water, or mer- chandise. “The fl ag should never be carried fl at or horizontally, but always aloft and free. “The fl ag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drap- ery. It should never be festooned, should not be fastened to a staff drawn back, nor up, in folds, but or halyard from which the fl ag is always allowed to fall free. fl own. “The fl ag should never be fas- “No part of the fl ag should ever tened, displayed, used, or stored be used as a costume or athletic CURTIS C. YUNKER JAMES WYNE in such a manner as to permit it to uniform. However, a fl ag patch may Curtis C. Yunker of Washburn. Korean War. Basic training in 1951 I joined the US Air Force after be easily torn, soiled, or damaged be affi xed to the uniform of military at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, then Airborne () training graduating from high school in any way. personnel, fi remen, policemen, and at Fort Benning, Georgia. Stationed at Camp Chickamauga on and served from 1960 to 1981. “The fl ag should never be used members of patriotic organizations. Japanese island of Kyusha as well as Korea. Honorable discharge The attached photo was taken as a covering for a ceiling. The fl ag represents a living country as a corporal in 1954. in Thailand in the late 60’s dur- “The fl ag should never be used and is itself considered a living ing the Vietnam war. We moved for advertising purposes in any thing. Therefore, the lapel fl ag pin here to Garrison after my retire- manner whatsoever. It should not being a replica, should be worn on ment. be embroidered on such articles as the left lapel near the heart. cushions or handkerchiefs and the “The flag, when it is in such like, printed or otherwise impressed condition that it is no longer a fi t- on paper napkin or boxes or any- ting emblem for display, should thing that is designed for temporary be destroyed in a dignifi ed way, use and discard. Advertising signs preferably by burning.”

EDWARD J. KLAIN JEROME H. WOLFF FRED RATH Edward J. Klain served in the Jerome H. Wolff resides in Fred Rath served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 - 1956. Korea/ Golden Valley and served in the Army from 1951-1953. Arabia. US Navy from 1967 - 1971

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Thank you to those who have EARL W CHASE RYAN HAGEN DARREL STEPHENS Earl W Chase was in the Na- SSG Ryan Hagen enlisted in the Darrel Dale Stephens enlisted in served; are tional Guard in the 164 Infantry. U.S. Army in 2010. SSG Hagen the U.S. Navy in 1950 and was He was sent to Guadalcanal. is a member of the 82nd Air- a commissary man for most of serving and will After being wounded there and borne Division and is based at his service. recovered; he was reassigned to Fort Bragg, NC. Among the spe- He was stationed aboard the serve in the Europe and fought in the Battle cialty schools he has completed ship U.S.S. . of the Bulge. is Jump Master training. He is future! God on his 3rd deployment, currently serving in Afghanistan. bless you!

Garrison, ND • 337-2246

DAVID W. VARTY FERDINAND BOEHLER BOWEN GUTKNECHT 1939 - 2016 Ferdinand Boehler served in Bowen Gutknecht Marine 2003- David W. Varty served in the the US Army as a Medical Aide 2007 U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964 in in WWII from June 1942 - April ROLLING HILLS LUMBER N.C and Germany. 1944. 2860 Hwy 83 NW • Max, ND 58759 • 701-679-2345 2017 | Veterans 11 Great War witnesses startling birth of new deities By JOSEPH T. STUART

It de-secularized the state and, instead of religion, made politics the highest expression of human values. The mobilization of entire societies during the Great War dra- matically increased expectations for state involvement in the lives of people. Powerful political religions that claimed absolute adherence arose out of the political vacuum CREDIT: State Historical Society of ND left behind by the collapse of four Medics were kept busy on the battlefi eld in this WWI era. empires in Russia, Italy, Germany, and Turkey. giving it the ultimate spiritual mean- about America as “the composite of For example, through the Russian ing. It joined church and state, so the world’s best ideals, the promise Revolution, Lenin rose to power in to speak, into one, powerful force. of the world’s future.” Progressive Russia. He created a brutal regime In this way, the Great War wit- clergy gave the upheaval a tran- that posed as the ultimate arbiter nessed one of the most startling scendent meaning by interpreting of value and meaning – killing or births of new deities in the history it as a total war for righteousness. exiling dissenters. “The war has of the world – those of Class (Com- America, as the world’s political left throughout Europe a mood of munism), State (Fascism), and Race messiah, would make the world disillusionment and despair which (Nazism) for which people killed. “safe for democracy,” as President calls aloud for a new religion,” the These new European deities Wilson put it. Ever since, most British agnostic philosopher Ber- inspired parallel political-religious American presidents have shared trand Russell wrote after touring movements around the world – such his redemptive goals in foreign Russia in 1920. “Bolshevism has as nationalism in Turkey and the policy. supplied the new religion.” backlash seen today as Islamic ter- In France, a nationalist move- Mussolini and his followers also rorism tries to restore the Caliphate ment supported Catholicism as the derived meaning and purpose from after it disappeared there immedi- state religion and gained immense CREDIT: State Historical Society of ND their wartime experience. In 1932 ately after the Great War. prestige, despite its eventual con- A poster for the British Parliamentary Recruiting Committee en- he wrote that fascism is a “spiri- China is another example. To demnation by the Vatican. Social- couraged young men to join the war effort. tual attitude” and the fascist state a inspire Chinese nationalism, west- ism, in the form of the Labour Party, “spiritual society” outside of which ern-educated Sun Yat-sen, founder was the real draw in Britain after no values exist. “Thus understood, of the Republic of China, appealed the Great War. One British histo- Fascism is totalitarian, and the in 1921 to American President Wil- rian noted in 1932 that socialism Fascist state – a synthesis and a unit son’s idea of the “self-determination elicited religious emotion through inclusive of all values – interprets, of nations. But a rival movement its appeal to social salvation. “The develops, and potentiates the whole would ultimately take over China type of man who a century ago life of a people,” he noted. in 1949 – the Chinese Communist would have been a revivalist or In Germany, Adolf Hitler re- Party, directly inspired by the even the founder of a new sect, solved to go into politics as a con- Russian Revolution of 1917. The today devotes himself to social tinuation of his wartime experience Chinese Communist political reli- and political propaganda. And this of unifi ed national purpose. Hitler gion reached its height under Mao gives Socialism a spiritual power believed that a people needed a Zedong and his Cultural Revolu- which the older political parties did common faith. Writing to him in tion, complete with rituals, moral- not possess…” 1926, Josef Goebbels, future minis- ity, a sacred text, the deifi cation of In all these ways, the Great War ter of propaganda, wrote, “You gave Mao, and the inculcation of a sense created a tremendous impetus to- a name to the suff ering of an entire of profound belonging and undi- ward the de-secularization of the generation who were yearning for vided allegiance. The Great War state, towards making politics the real men, for meaningful tasks. … paved the way to that totalitarian source of all values. That alone What you uttered is the catechism transformation of the world’s most justifi es the characterization of the of a new political credo amid the populous country. Great War as the “original sin” of desperation of a collapsing, god- In the U.S., the war helped clarify the Twentieth Century. less world. …A god gave you the America’s political faith. Univer- Joseph T. Stuart, Ph.D., is as- strength to voice our suff ering.” sity of North Dakota student Wil- sociate professor of history at the Nazism de-secularized the state by liam Greenleaf wrote at war’s end University of Mary in Bismarck.

CREDIT: State Historical Society of ND The Young Women’s Christian Association implored women to “Make ready for greater service: in a WWI era recruiting poster.

Thank you to our military Thank you veterans for the bravery you show in and their families this keeping our nation safe and secure!

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