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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — NOVEMBER 12/NOVEMBER 19, 2021
Museum visits reminded us of veterans’ sacrifices It was a sunny day in the museum was, I was August. The type of day when thankful for the strategically all of life is bright and careplaced signs to guide me free when we took this morndirectly to our destination. It ing trip. Even our hearts is located in a building which were echoing the songs the once served as the county birds were singing in praise jail and sheriff’s residence. to glorify their Creator. In 2006 they moved out. We drove past fields of The museum itself is fairFROM MY corn and soybeans — growly young. Its birth can be FARMHOUSE ing as they ought at that traced directly to “The War” KITCHEN time. Thankfully enough documentary Ken Burns By Renae B. rain had come for the crops produced. In his seven-part Vander Schaaf to look healthy. We even series, Burns focused on saw a few horses and cows individual citizens in four soaking up the warm sunshine in American towns during World War II: green pastures. Waterbury, Conn.; Sacramento, Calif.; Since we were in the tri-state region Mobile, Ala.; and Luverne, Minn. of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota, According to the Ken Burns website, there had to be a tractor or two in the 21 young men graduated from the fields to bring out that farmer in us. Luverne high school in 1939. All but All seemed right and normal. one served in this second world war. It would have been 100 percent particiOur destination was the Herreid Military Museum in Luverne, Minn. I pation, but the young man had a heart defect which kept him from entering had been there before; but this time I World War II. was taking a friend, a WWII military veteran himself. He had served as a During the war years, Rock County’s medic in various hospitals stateside. population was 10,683. From that number, 1,065 served in the military. While I had a general idea of where
We’re Here to Help Doers Like You We founded Minnwest Bank during the 1987 farm crisis because we recognized how important community banks are to thriving communities. Since that time, we’ve steadfastly served and supported our communities through good times and bad.
We began our tour with a general observance of the displays. It didn’t take long for us to realize this was not your general war historical museum. Instead, it took on a more personal note. The displays featured real people from Rock County. They had actual names with parents, brothers and sisters. Some were married with children. They might even have been an outPhotos by Renae B. Vander Schaaf standing sports athlete The Herreid Military Museum in Luverne, Minn. was made pos- or a star farmer. sible through the efforts of Warren Herreid, Jeannine Rivet and They were young men many generous donations. when they said their goodbyes with tears in the eyes to the Thirty-two young men gave the ultipeople most precious to them. Mere mate sacrifice. lads, they were, with hopes and dreams As you can see, Mr. Burns had good of living a peaceful, productive life. reasons for choosing Luverne to represent mid-America. The people of Luverne responded by continuing the work begun by his documentary. It is evident in this museum. With many thanks to generous benefactors, Warren Herreid and Jeannine Rivet, the building was renovated to house the Brandenburg Gallery and the Herreid Military Museum. They felt it important to preserve the stories of Rock County’s brave men and women Uniforms and other essential items from Rock who had served. The movie had served County’s veterans are on display. as a springboard for their desire. Instead, this war business had to be taken of first. There were others who were in dire need of their help, so they left their families and aspirations behind to protect freedom for us and others.
At Minnwest, we don’t just say our customers come first, we live and breathe it. That’s our commitment to you.
Doers Welcome.™ The World War II display highlights mportant dates we all should remember. MEMBER FDIC
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Displays of local veterans brings home the point that these are our men and women serving to protect freedom.
We progressed through the museum slowly because there is so much to see and absorb. Our conversations became less as we were beginning to more fully comprehend again and again what we were seeing. See FARMHOUSE KITCHEN, pg. 5
