More than
granite and flags It’s a reminder to never forget the service of veterans
A
By Al Edenloff aedenloff@echopress.com
n inscription on a wall at the new Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria reads, “Let No Veteran Be Forgotten.” Those words were also the driving force behind all the work that went into the park. It took more than three years to plan, raise money, design and build the new Veterans Memorial Park, which officially opened to the public last month. The committee that organized the effort had to overcome fundraising challenges, tough decisions on where to put it, and trying to solicit funds in a pandemic. But their members say it was well worth it. Gabe Pipo, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee, describes the new park at a “shrine in time” that stands for the community and its staunch support of veterans who served their country. In a letter to the editor, Pipo said he feels very grateful to live in such an area. He thanked the entire community, starting with city government and its employees who permitted the committee to build in a city park that will be cared for into the long-term future. He also thanked the Douglas County Board for donating monuments from the courthouse lawn. Pipo said there were many others who also gave the committee full support, from fellow veterans who donated time, mileage, talents and personal resources to all the businesses and individuals who donated. Another committee member, Jim Conn, described the park as a “memorial for the ages.” It includes a Liberty Bell replica, nine flags, restrooms, a picnic area, and the names of 7,000 veterans engraved on granite monoliths, serving as a reminder that no veteran should be forgotten, Conn said. “It’s not just granite and flags – but all of that and much more,” he said. Ownership of the monoliths, remembrance walls and other property in the park, estimated at nearly $1.5 million, was officially transferred to the city and approved by the Alexandria City Council last month. The city agreed to maintain the park, the restrooms and the gazebo area.
The committee initially set a goal of raising $700,000 for the park and ended up with $1.7 million. City leaders were impressed with the committee’s resolve. “It has been truly amazing to watch the Veterans Memorial Park Committee, local businesses and the community as a whole band together to raise the funds for construction of the memorial,” said City Administrator Marty Schultz. Committee member Russ Oorlog told the city council his “heart was good” about how the project came together and he commended the council and Parks and Facilities Director Bill Thoennes for their strong support. “We never got a no,” he said. The city will work with the Douglas County Veterans Service Office and other veterans organizations regarding any future changes to the memorial. The council’s main role will be to approve engraving on the monuments once or twice a year that will be guided and paid for by a nonprofit veterans organization.
About the site
The VMP is situated upon a parcel of land at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Broadway in the area previously known as “Legion Park” which served as a modest city park. In the 1800s, the site had been used as a city dump and had a low swamp close to the original downtown. So when excavation for the VMP began in 2019, thousands of discarded bottles from the turn of the century were uncovered, along with tons of ash from the early power plant and all sorts of durable refuse, including chassis from early automobiles, according to Conn. The ground was extremely unstable, Conn said, which made the site unable to meet the load bearing requirements of the heavy surface structures planned for the park. Innovative Foundation SupportWorks of Rush City was initially hired to install nine foundational helicoils for the undersoil support system. “When the dust settled, almost 100 helicoils were actually installed underneath the VMP at depths reaching 60 feet below the surface,” Conn said. Continued on page 7
▲ Al Edenloff / Echo Press
Sixteen-month-old Amelia Hoff, of St. Cloud, touches one of the monoliths at the Veterans Memorial Park after a flag raising event on July 4. .
The stories behind the names By Karen Tolkkinen ktolkkinen@echopress.com
Here are just a few of the stories behind the names.
he stories behind the more than 7,000 names on the monoliths at Veterans Memorial Park could fill many volumes. These men and women experienced hardship and fear, as well as camaraderie and courage. Some learned to hate war — others, to depend on its crazy adrenaline rush. Some of them gave their lives in conflict. Others gave their limbs, their eyesight, their peace of mind. Some were kept prisoner for months or years. Others made it home, only to struggle awake each night from nightmares.
Civil War Medal of Honor recipient
T
The conflicts memorialized at the park go back to the Civil War and include Barzilla “William” Nichols. Nichols was in his late 20s when he took part in the Battle of Mobile Bay on Aug. 5, 1864, according to records posted online by Veterans Memorial Park organizers. A New York native, he had worked aboard whaling vessels before joining the Union troops aboard the USS Brooklyn as quartermaster.
His ship successfully attacked the rebel-controlled Fort Morgan on the Alabama coast and his actions won him the Navy Medal of Honor. Amid heavy enemy fire, “Nichols fought his gun with skill and courage,” his citation said, according to the records. After the war, Nichols settled in Hudson Township south of Alexandria and later married. He received his medal in 1865. He died in 1891, at age 56 and was buried in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. His burial site has received a new gravestone noting his Medal of Honor status. Continued on page 7
▲ Barzilla “William” Nichols.
Veterans Memorial Park NOW OPEN! @ the Corner of 8th and Broadway, Alexandria, MN
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2 | Wednesday, July 15, 2020 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
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VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK TIMELINE
2017
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 first discuss veterans memorial for Alexandria Veterans present concept to Alexandria City Council “Let No Veteran Be Forgotten” becomes unofficial motto Veterans Memorial Park Corporation (VMP) forms Alexandria City Council authorizes
use of Legions Park as memorial location at no charge
▶ Al Edenloff / Echo Press A sign for the new Veterans Memorial Park that was built on the former Legion Park site in Alexandria included a drawing of the memorial that is now open.
2018
6,000 local veteran’s names
found at the Douglas County Historical Society; project estimate at $924,000.
VMP receives 501 c3 non-profit status April: Fundraising begins Initial budget to include
bathrooms published $989,000.
July: First major donation. Douglas Machine pledges $100,000. ▶ Al Edenloff / Echo Press Brion Golde (right), the leader of the Alexandria Area Freemasons, presented a donation of $40,000 to Veterans Memorial Park Committee members (left to right) Roger Blank, Russ Oorlog, Gabe Pipo and Ralph Berg.
VMP orders monuments
including the Liberty Bell, monoliths and benches worth just over $209,000 from the Fergus Falls Monument Company
J.A. Wedum Foundation pledges $150,000. Douglas County
Commissioners agree to move courthouse veterans monuments to the new park, and provide $25,000 for moving and renovation
VMP hires project manager LRP Construction Services, sets completion date of July 1, 2020
▶ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press Members of the military, along with officials from both the City of Alexandria and Douglas County, participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial Park on the corner of Broadway Street and 8th Avenue. Pictured are (left to right) Ralph Berg (Army), Gabe Pipo (Navy), Jim Conn (Air Force), Grant Haugen (Marines), Tom Hargreaves (Coast Guard), Ken Voigt (Merchant Marines), Alexandria Mayor Sara Carlson, city council member Bobbie Osterberg, City Parks Director Bill Thoennes, Douglas County Commissioner Jerry Rapp and Richard Schlosser (Vietnam Veterans Association 235).
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Wednesday, July 15, 2020 | 3
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK TIMELINE
2019
VMP and City of Alexandria set
budget just over $615,000 with no bathrooms
VMP designates four distinct
War Era categories for monoliths: Early, Global, Cold War and Gulf War
VMP formally announces construction of VMP to be built on the corner of 8th and Broadway in Alexandria, MN. VMP formally adopts motto: “Let no veteran be forgotten.”
▲ Workers construct the two walls that serve as the frame for the Veterans Memorial Park.
Budget grows just past $1 million to include bathrooms and pavilion; City of Alexandria agrees to pay $167,000
2020
Pandemic forces cancellation of July 4 grand opening and parade.
Decision made to welcome all honorable veteran applications regardless of connection to Alexandria area.
Motorcycle honor guard accompanies final recognition items: Battle Cross, special combatants, monolith and additional benches from Fergus Falls to Alexandria. VMP opens softly to social distancing foot traffic.
Jeff Roste of Creative Impact Design takes charge, donating his services Website www.alexveteranspark. org goes live and online donations begin
Official dedication. Mayor Sara Carlson accepts ownership of VMP to be maintained as a park for all Alexandrians and visitors.
Groundbreaking ceremony.
Raining!
VMP receives request for a granite bench engraved with a veterans name. Eventually approves six such benches. All major concrete components poured. Alexandria Concrete/Jay Morrell Enterprises donate more than 700 tons of concrete
▲ Lowell Anderson / Echo Press Workers remove the straps from the Civil War statue that stood in the Douglas County Court House yard for over a century, after lowering it into place at its new home at Veterans Memorial Park.
◀ Lowell Anderson / Echo Press Workers from Fergus Falls Monument Company install one of the donor panels on April 23. ▶ Lowell Anderson / Echo Press Veterans Memorial Park was near nearing completion on June 19 as benches, and several more stone monoliths were installed.
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4 | Wednesday, July 15, 2020 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
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◀ Veterans Russ Oorlog and Larry Puls admire the duplicate of the liberty bell once it was in place at the Veterans Memorial Park on Broadway in downtown Alexandria. Oorlog is vice president of the parks committee and Puls is project manager for the project.
▼ Lowell Anderson / Echo Press
A statue of a Civil War soldier that had previously stood on the Court House lawn in Alexandria is lowered into place at the new park on November 11.
▶ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press
John Christopherson plays “Taps” during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Veterans Memorial Park Friday, Aug. 2.
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▼ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press
Military flags fly high at the Veterans Memorial Park.
▶ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press
Russ Oorlog, vice president of the Veterans Memorial Park committee and a Vietnam veteran, stands at attention during the retiring of colors during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria.
▶ Lowell Anderson / Echo Press
The centerpiece of Veterans Memorial Park in Alexandria is a full-size replica of our nation’s Liberty Bell.
▼ Lowell Anderson / Echo Press
This photo was taken on November 11 after the Civil War statue that stood on the Douglas County Court House lawn for a century was installed at the new park.
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6 | Wednesday, July 15, 2020 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
Echo Press
Design touches add impact to Veterans Memorial Park
Roste steps in, assist veterans with creating look for project By Echo Press staff he backstory for the design components of the Veterans Memorial Park is an interesting one, according to Jim Conn, a member of the park committee. The initial concept for the park and its corresponding Veterans Wall of Honor was created by Widseth Smith and Nolting architect Greg Bohl in 2017 in conversations with Russ Oorlog and Gabe Pipo. “After the initial concept was approved, our veterans committee seemed to be getting nowhere while trying to move from a 2-D concept to that of a structure having a larger-thanlife 3-D visual impact,” said Conn. One day, the light bulb went off for Conn when he remembered that Jeff Roste with Creative Impact Design in Alexandria completed advertising brochures and photography for Conn’s old company in Glenwood, Thawzall, a few years back. “I asked Jeff to come to a VMP meeting to see if he wanted to get involved and try to separate a bunch of GIs who were wrangling over the visual design of the park,” Conn said. “Jeff didn’t hesitate – and the rest is history.”
T
“
Jeff didn’t hesitate – and the rest is history. - Jim Conn, Veterans Memorial Park committee member
Project was a calling
“I told the guys, ‘I wasn’t in the service. You served your country. The least I can do is help you guys make something that you can be proud of and the community can be proud of,’” Roste said. After Roste volunteered to develop a logo, the work kept snowballing. “Honestly, I’ve probably got 150 hours of my time into the veterans park, maybe more,” he said. “I stopped keeping track. Everything from looking to colors and shapes to where benches and statues should go.” The one favor he asked of the group was that he be allowed to do any work when it came to plaques, for example, for a fee to offset his pro-bono work. They agreed. Roste backed up his decisions with professional design techniques, explaining why a certain color worked better for the granite, why a particular font was preferred or why a design is more balanced and symmetrical. He showed the committee members examples of how everything would look using computer-generated images. “That’s a very important piece of getting the guys to be able to visualize what this would look like,” Roste said. Some of the images are so lifelike they resemble actual photographs. Upon seeing a photo Roste had taken after installing words on the edge of the community donor walls, Conn asked, “Is that computer generated or did you actually put those up today?” Through several iterations over the past two years, the visual impact of the park has gotten better and better through Creative Impact Design, Conn said, adding it’s no small coincidence that “impact” is part of the company’s name. “And all the while, Jeff was donating all of his design work to the VMP – countless hours over many months to get where we are today,” Conn said. The committee estimates the value of Roste’s pro-bono work at well over $10,000.
Coming together
▲ Echo Press file photo
Letters that adorn Veterans Memorial Park were prepared by Jacy Roste in Alexandria.
“By this time, Jeff had all of the veterans marching in single file while engaging critical opinions as they arose but continuing to move ever forward with a unified design,” Conn said. The committee then decided to create a Donor Wall of Honor and asked Roste to put the concept together. Once approved, the committee asked him to develop a visual design in which all donors who gave more than $200 will have their names engraved in granite and be memorialized permanently for generations to come.
▲ Echo Press file photo
The large wall at the Veterans Memorial Park began to take shape last March as Jeff Roste of Creative Impact Design attached the lettering and designs.
Fergus Monument Company of Fergus Falls installed the Donor Wall of Honor based on Rose’s design ideas. Roste has enjoyed being a part of the process as it has unfolded. “I love seeing things come to fruition,” he said. “I’ll bet the same thing happens with contractors and even architects.” The Veterans Memorial Park will always mean a great deal to Roste but he can tell it means even more to many of the veterans he worked with. He’s seen it in their faces and through a few tears. “This is really, really important for them,” Roste said. “It’s almost like a place they can come and leave everything behind.”
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More than granite and flags continued from page 1
Features of the park
Twenty-eight black granite monoliths quarried from the Mesabi Iron Range in northern Minnesota contain the engraved names of more than 7,000 veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces from July 4, 1776 to the present. A majority of the veterans honored have connections to Douglas County. Each monolith is 42 inches wide, 8 inches thick, stands 6 feet tall and weighs a bit over one ton, Conn noted. Engraved veteran names in alphabetical sequence stand ¾ of an inch high sandblasted into black granite monoliths by the Fergus Falls Monument Company. There are four distinct war eras within the park – the Early War Era (1776-1917), Global War Era (1917-1950), Cold War Era (1950-1990) and Gulf War Era (1990 to present). Veteran names within each era are engraved on each of two sides of a monolith. Each side is identified by a number and a letter to help loved ones locate their veteran. There can be up to 300 veteran names on each monolith. The list of more than 7,000 veteran names was created with input from the Douglas County Historical Society and help from the Veterans Service Office in Alexandria. “Although most of the names have ties to the Douglas County area, the VMP was designed with the intent that no veteran will ever be forgotten,” Conn said.
Park design
The design of the VMP was based upon a concept developed by two local Cold War Era veterans, Gabe Pipo of Bran-
▲ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press
Dwayne Hamm and his son-in-law, Murray Myers, both of Coon Rapids, look at the names listed on the granite slabs at the Veterans Memorial Park. Hamm’s name is one of the thousands listed.
don and Russ Oorlog of Alexandria. They took their concept to architect Greg Bohl from the civil engineering firm of Widseth in Alexandria, who then created a three-dimensional rendition of the VMP in 2017. Creative Impact Design of Alexandria, owned by Jeff and Lucy Roste, then donated their creative effort to help craft the tribute to all veterans who served honorably in the Armed Services. To create the features included within the VMP, this design team gathered many thoughts and ideas from local
veterans and then presented their creative opinions to the VMP Committee. Some of the design highlights include: ▶ Granite tablets honoring all donors who contributed over $200. ▶ A single granite tablet honoring veterans of Alexandria Industries. ▶ Engravings in granite on the base of the Liberty Bell list “freedom, honor, justice, liberty and peace.” ▶ The motto, “Let No Veteran Be Forgotten,” is affixed to the Veterans Wall of Honor. ▶ Special bronze plaques honor John Wedum, Terence Kjos, veterans of Douglas Machine, and combat veterans. ▶ A granite tablet honors Special Combatants, acknowledging names of local veterans exposed to extraordinary hardships while defending the country. ▶ Granite benches recognizing individual veterans – Dorothy Lee, Joe Koopman, Leander Hens, Louis Grosenick, Virgil Batesole, Warren Gust and sons of Gust. ▶ A Veterans Wall of Honor includes seven 24-inch bronze service insignias: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Merchant Marine.
The future of the park
The City of Alexandria, which now owns the park, will work with the Douglas County Veterans Service Office and other veterans organizations regarding any future changes to the memorial. The council’s main role will be to approve engraving on the monuments once or twice a year that will be guided and paid for by a nonprofit veterans organization.
Stories behind the names continued from page 1
Veterans from A to Z
Names are still being added to the monoliths, but the first round of names are listed alphabetically, according to which era they served in. The first alphabetically, Jeremy Aamold, is on the monolith dedicated to the modern era. He found a passion for airplanes when he went to an air show at age 8 and decided to become a pilot. He has flown 400 combat missions for the U.S. Air Force, and now is a flight instructor and major in Arkansas, said father Curt Aamold. The Aamold family moved to Alexandria from Duluth in 1993 when Jeremy was in 10th grade. Jeremy played football and was in the marching band at Jefferson High School, and attained Eagle Scout status before going to North Dakota State University to study civil engineering and earn a master’s degree in business. He flies C-130 transport planes for the U.S. Air Force and has served nine tours in Afghanistan and Iraq totalling close to five years of his life, Curt said. That’s been a major sacrifice for Jeremy, his wife Katie, also from Alexandria, and their three children. “That’s a long time of having your kids grow up and you’re not being around them,” Curt said. Jeremy’s younger brother, Mike Aamold, is also named on the wall. Mike is also an Air Force major and lives in Texas, Curt said. The last alphabetically, Vernon Zwieg, served in World War II which is listed on the monolith dedicated to the global wars. He grew up in Leaf Valley on a farm and was drafted into the Army right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, said his son, Roger Zwieg, of Alexandria. Vernon didn’t go overseas. Instead he was assigned to guard the Pacific Coast. At that time, Americans thought the Japanese military might try to attack the mainland. And there were Japanese incur-
Vernon died in 1978 of a heart attack. He was only 62. “He was one of those guys who never believed in going to the doctor,” Roger said.
A newlywed at war
▲ Jeremy Aamold on a return trip from Afghanistan in 2014 with children, from left: Eli, Edie and Erik.
sions on U.S. soil in the form of bombs flown across the Pacific Ocean in paper balloons that caused several civilian deaths. Vernon was positioned atop a bank with a 50-caliber machine gun and an anti-aircraft 90-mm gun in Washington state, his son said. “It was pretty exciting after Pearl Harbor,” Roger said. Vernon returned home and farmed for a while, then worked as a carpenter. He helped build bridges along Interstate 94, Roger said. He married and he and his wife, Florence, had two boys and two girls.
The ink was barely dry on Jesse and Stacey Lhotka’s marriage license when the National Guardsman was summoned to the Iraq War. It was 2005, and the couple had met in 2002 on a blind date. Jesse was studying finance at St. Cloud State University, the oldest of six kids from Appleton, Minn. He was not only in the Guard, but he worked a part-time job while Jesse Lhotka taking classes as well, Stacey said. He was determined to show his younger siblings what hard work and determination could accomplish. He moved in with her in Alexandria in 2004 and landed a job at LSC Financial Solutions. They married that September, and he soon left for training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. He wasn’t allowed to tell Stacey exactly when they deployed to Iraq for security reasons, but she figures it was sometime around New Year’s. In February, he was traveling in a Humvee when the driver began to lose control. Jesse must have sensed the danger because he pulled a soldier on the Humvee’s roof back inside before it rolled, she said. The driver was injured in the wreck, and Jesse was one of six soldiers who carried him on a stretcher toward a waiting helicopter. It was then that an explosive in the ground detonated, killing Jesse and others on his side of the stretcher instantly, Stacey said. You’ll find Jesse’s name at the veterans park along with the two others, Jason Timmerman and David Day. Stacey said she and Jesse shared a beautiful love story. She paused and then said, “It’s funny how you just tear up when it’s been 15 years.” Continued on page 9
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8 | Wednesday, July 15, 2020 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
By Celeste Edenloff and Jasmine Johnson The Veterans Memorial Park has resonated with visitors, if a sampling of interviews is any indication. Here is what a few of them had to say.
Unbelievable to see his name
Dwayne Hamm was brought to the Veterans Memorial Park over the Fourth of July holiday by his daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and Murray Myers of Coon Rapids. Although Hamm also now lives in Coon Rapids, he grew up and lived in Alexandria. He graduated from Central High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955. Theresa Myers knew her dad’s name was listed in the park, but he didn’t as she wanted to surprise him. And surprised he was. “It was unbelievable to see my name,” Hamm said. “It was pretty cool to see his reaction,” said Myers. They both agreed that the new park is a nice addition to the downtown Alexandria area. Hamm also noted that there are several members of his family who have served in the military including a grandson who is currently during his third tour overseas.
Visitors react
Echo Press
Stone, Zach Stone, Thatcher Brown and Rick Marker sat on the benches along the perimeter of Veterans Memorial Park. Since extended family members Taegan, Zach and Thatcher were visiting from Georgia, Stephanie made sure that they stopped by the park during their trip. Rick had noticed the construction and observed the park as it progressed. “It’s an important thing to be here,” Taegan said. “It was a worthwhile endeavor.”
A better use of the park
Gretchen and Darryl Braget, Alexandria, stopped by the new Veterans Memorial Park over the Fourth of July weekend. Gretchen’s brother, Doug Johnson, is one of the names listed on the granite slabs within the park. “This is quite the park,” Gretchen said. “It’s just awesome and such a better use of the park than it was before.” Gretchen said she also loves the benches that are within the park as it is nice just to be able to sit down ▲ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press Dwayne Hamm of Coon Rapids, formerly of Alexandria, stands next to his name that is etched on one of the granite slabs at the new Veterans Memorial Park. and look at it all.
Beautiful park
Gracie Lewis of Alexandria said she stopped by the new Veterans Memorial Park because she hadn’t seen it yet although she had driven by numerous times. When asked if she knew anyone whose name was engraved in the granite slabs, she said, “You never know, that’s why I am looking.” She also noted that she didn’t realize just how much was included in the park and how many names were listed. “It is such a beautiful park,” said Lewis. “They really did an excellent job on it.”
Worthwhile endeavor
Stephanie Brown, Taegan
▶ Jasmine Johnson / Echo Press
▲ Celeste Edenloff / Echo Press
Gracie Lewis of Alexandria stopped by the Veterans Memorial Park over the Fourth of July holiday for the first time.
Proud to honor our veterans past and present who protect our
FREEDOM!
From left to right, Stephanie Brown, Taegan Stone, Zach Stone, Thatcher Brown and Rick Marker pose for a photo inside the Veterans Memorial Park.
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Stories behind the names continued from page 7 Her husband would drop everything to help his younger siblings, and he found great joy in the simplest things like making a sandwich and playing a game. He was known best for making people laugh, she said. “He made everyone feel special. The grocery store clerk, to — you name it,” she said. “He always had an uncanny way for finding laughter in a situation and making people laugh. … He made everyone feel like a million bucks just to be in his presence.” His home town of Appleton has named a street after him.
He built airplanes at Bellanca in Alexandria. He died in 2008 of colon cancer. His grandson, Joel Dehne, is the service manager at Alex Motors. He died in 2008 of colon cancer.
A prisoner of war
About the only thing that went right for Vernon Pochardt on Feb. 22, 1944, was that he survived. The tail gunner in a B-17 bomber, he had accompanied more than 30 bombing runs since arriving in England, helping fight off enemy aircraft so that the bomber could drop its deadly loads on German industrial sites and hightail it back to England. That day, his plane, nicknamed Jack the Ripper, lost an engine to enemy fire, he told the Grant County Herald in 2001. As it dropped lower in the sky, it encountered heavier and heavier fire. The navigator was killed. The plane plummeted further down, its crewmen bailing out. Flak hit Pochardt’s thigh and his parachute pack and there was nothing to do but kick the door out and jump, not knowing if the smoking pack would open. It did, fortunately. But he landed hard, breaking his other leg. He quickly found himself surrounded by German soldiers who hauled him to jail. It was hours before they got him medical treatment at a Catholic hospital in Munster. Even before he was fully recovered, German officers interrogated him and then shipped him by boxcar to a prisoner of war camp. He spent 18 months as a prisoner of war, surviving on horse meat and cabbage, and enduring a three-month forced march to evade approaching Russian forces. When he was rescued, he weighed 100 pounds. When the Chokio-born Pochardt returned to Minnesota, the thing he wanted most was to get married and have a huge family, said his daughter, Judy Dehne. It just so happened that there was a readymade family waiting for him. Judy’s birth father had died of a brain tumor, leaving his widow, Mae, and their six children. Pochardt’s sister introduced him to Mae, and they hit it off, got married, and had another child together. “He was just the best dad you could ask for,” said Judy, who was just 2-and-a-half at the time. “He was the most mellow man I ever met in my life, never angry.”
▲ Contributed Robert Brede and Tracker Dog Bodie take a break while serving in Vietnam. Both were later killed in action.
A soldier and his dog
On the KIA monolith, you’ll find an unusual name: Tracker Dog Bodie. Bodie was a yellow lab trained to find people in Vietnam, whether they were hostile forces or lost U.S. personnel. His trainer was Robert Brede of Alexandria, Alexandria High School Class of 1963, a 24-year-old who sent home drawings and photos of the people and places he saw in Vietnam. The two were inseparable, said niece Melissa Hanson. “I believe there was hope of when he came home, to take the dog with him,” she said. Two weeks before Brede was due to come home, he was killed in an attack on his Army base in south Vietnam. Several other soldiers also died, as did Bodie. Brede never had a chance to marry and have kids, so Hanson and her sister, Tracey Krueger, his godchild, try to keep his memory alive even though they never knew him. Hanson said she has drawings and photos he sent home. She knows he enjoyed Orange Crush and cigarettes and says Krueger’s son is the “spitting image” of his great-uncle. His death caused his mother and his only sibling, Hanson’s father, so much pain that they didn’t speak much about him, she said. When she heard about the memorial, she knew her uncle’s name belonged with that of his faithful companion. “I knew because his dog died with him, they had to be on the wall together,” she said.
◀ Contributed Vernon and Mae Pochardt with their seven children. Vernon was a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II.
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Special combatants are recognized on a special stone within the veterans Memorial Park.
All military branches included Park organizers wanted to make sure all branches of the military were included in the park: the U.S. Navy, the National Guard, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Merchant Marines.
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FROM THE CARE CAMPUS AND OUR VETERANS HONORED ON THE WALLS: DAY TON HAAGENSON, MERLE JOHNSON, EDWIN ‘STANLEY ’ LUND, ROGER MORICAL & RALPH ZIEGELMAN WWW.MYCARECAMPUS.ORG
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Thank You Alexandria for our Veterans Memorial Park. The Memorial is a tribute to all Veterans and is a reflection of Alexandria’s commitment to Veterans!
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