military strong
ALEXANDRIA IS Lowell Benson of Alexandria served in the military, alongside his four brothers – David, John, Ronald and Arne. In fact, all five Benson siblings are etched on one of the Cold War stones at the Alexandria Veterans Park. Lowell served from 1956 to 1963, David served from 1959 to 1963, John served from 1955 to 1964, Ronald served from 1965 to 1969 and Arne served from 1963 until 1973. And all five are Alexandria graduates. Lowell Benson was actually one of about 51 classmates from the Alexandria graduating class of 1956 who served in the military. The class size then was 160 students.
Benson shared an excerpt from a reunion booklet printed in 2021, which is when the class held its 65th class reunion. It listed the different branches of the military and then names of those who served in that particular branch.
AIR FORCE Ralph Daniels, Dick Shogren, Ray Dau, Donald Hallgren, Darcy Lorsun, Luther Myhr and H. Dan Ness. Daniels received the DistinLowell Benson of Alexandria kneels down next to all the Benson names engraved at the Alexandria Veteran Memorial Park, including his own. Contributed photo guished Flying Cross during 258 missions as a fighter pilot during his two tours in Vietnam. His citation was recommended by the Army for close-in support of ground actions.
Members of the Alexandria graduating Class of 1956 at their 65th reunion in 2021. Contributed photo
ARMY Dallas Barnack, Lowell Benson, Hugh Lucas, Norma Blankenship, Darrel Van Amber, Norman Anderson, Jim Becker, Jim Bircher, Tom Bradford, Jim Cassell, Jerome Freding, Davis
Froemming, Norman Hanson, Nick Hvezda, Arvo Lofquist, John Loken, Jim Martin, Bill Mechels, Chris Mechels, Dan Pennie, Harlan Ritter, Norman Salto, Leon Schultz, Rodney Swanson and Gaylen Zavadil. Van Amber was reportedly the longest serving classmate with 30 years of active and reserve duty. MARINES Gary Ignowski, Chuck Olson and Mike Schneiderhan.
Hours Monday-Friday 7:30am-5:30pm 1811 Nokomis St, Alexandria, MN 56308 320-762-8060 PAGE 12
SALUTE
