Honoring Our
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Gestures anyone can embrace in support of veterans METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Veterans Day (United States) and Remembrance Day (Canada) are commemorated each year on Nov. 11. Both holidays honor the individuals who served in the armed forces for their respective countries. Community-wide events tend to be held on Nov. 11, but any day of the year is a good time to pay respect to veterans. On a local level, people can do much to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. ► Provide a free restaurant meal. Offer to take out a veteran for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you see a veteran eating in a restaurant, anonymously pay the bill for that person. ► Send care packages. Communities can gather resources and chip in to make care packages for veterans who live in town, and even to send to troops stationed elsewhere. Include foods and comforts from home. ► Buy from veterans. Seek out veteranowned businesses in the area, and then make purchases from their retail stores or utilize their services. ► Volunteer at a VA hospital. Spend time with veterans where they receive care for current health needs or past injuries suffered in combat. ► Decorate cemeteries. Honor fallen veterans by placing flowers or flags by their gravesites. ► Participate in a parade. If your town hosts a Veterans Day or Remembrance Day
parade, find out how you can volunteer or be a part of it. Oftentimes parade officials enable youth groups, such as high school marching bands or scouting troops, to participate in the parade. ► Write to the newspaper. Write an op-ed or highlight piece to submit to the newspaper about veterans in the community. Mention local veterans who have unique stories, or speak about the importance of veterans to the community.
► Ask a veteran to speak. If you work in a school or a community center, ask veterans to share their experiences with area youth. ► Visit local memorials. Spend time visiting memorials nearby and paying homage to the veterans who devoted their time, or even their lives, to service. Community members have plenty of opportunities and ways to give back to veterans in the area.
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History on Display Military collection honors veterans’ sacrifices by sharing the stories behind their artifacts BY SHELBY LINDRUD West Central Tribune
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Jon Lindstrand looks through a box of donated items that once belonged to Merlin Simonson, who served in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Bay Of Pigs, while organizing items at his home in Kandiyohi on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023.
WILLMAR — The first few pieces of what would become the United States Military Historical Collection were given to founder Jon Lindstrand when he was only 5 years old by a neighbor who served in World War II. Those gifts helped foster a passion for military history and a drive to collect not only artifacts, but the stories behind them.
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For 25 years, Lindstrand has exhibited thousands of pieces from the collection at an annual Veterans Day display in the Willmar Auditorium. “It spiderwebbed from there, really growing into this large collection,” Lindstrand said. “Not only the stuff, but the stories and history that goes along with it.” The USMHC has artifacts, uniforms, photos and equipment dating back to the Civil War and all the way into the present day. But it is the stories he is able to spotlight that Lindstrand is most proud of when it comes to putting the collection on public display. “I really want people to see and know this part of history is real and they’re real people,” Lindstrand said. “These stories get lost if no one is talking or asking.” This year’s display of the USMHC will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 9-11 in the Willmar City Auditorium. Admission is free. A special Veterans Day Observance program will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, and usually includes special music and speaker.
This year, to celebrate the anniversary, Lindstrand plans to bring out some special items from the collection — ones that take up quite a bit of space. “We plan to get a few things out that really have never been out,” Lindstrand said. The idea for the annual display came about thanks to a Kmart ad. Lindstrand, who worked for the Willmar Kmart back in 1998, said he picked up the store circular advertising the Veterans Day Sale. He felt the real meaning behind the holiday had gotten lost over the years and wanted to do something to remind people of the true reason for the day. “That is not what this is about; it is not about sales or getting deals,” Lindstrand said. “It is about honoring and remembering those vets.” The first public display of the USMHC was put up in the old school in Kandiyohi, sponsored by the Kandiyohi Men’s Club, now known as the Kandiyohi Community Club. The display moved to the Willmar
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Auditorium in 2002 and has been held there every year but one, when it was held in the old Kmart in the mall when the auditorium was under construction. “Even the COVID year I still held it,” Lindstrand said. Shortly after starting the display, Lindstrand established the official United States Military Historical Collection. He wanted the collection to have a name and one that didn’t include his own. “It is not about Jon Lindstrand; it never has been,” Lindstrand said. “It’s been about those veterans and those stories.” In addition to the main Veterans Day event, pieces of the collection have also been used for displays and events at nursing homes, schools and area historical societies. The USMHC can also help with military research through the stories that have been saved with the different artifacts. One of the reasons why Lindstrand works so hard to get the display up each year is because he enjoys getting many of estimated 7,000 artifacts out of storage.
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Because it is so large, many pieces are boxed away for most of the year. In the early years of the collection, Lindstrand would contact veterans themselves, asking if they had any military pieces and mementos they would like to donate. As the collection has grown more popular, it is quite normal for veterans or their families to reach out to Lindstrand with artifacts and their stories. “They want these stories preserved and cherished, remembered,” Lindstrand said. Lindstrand said it is practically impossible to choose a favorite piece from the collection, or even an era of military history. He believes everything is important, whether it took place during an active conflict or during peacetime. All the stories are important and all the veterans that served should be remembered. “They deserve recognition for what they’ve done, no matter where they served or when they served,” Lindstrand said. The history and stories of more than 500 veterans are saved within the USMHC.
Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photo
More than 7,000 military items make up the United States Military Historical Collection, established by Jon Lindstrand. For the last 25 years, Lindstrand has displayed the collection around Veterans Day, including a display in 2020, pictured here.
Thank you Veterans!
HAPPY VETERANS DAY
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SALUTING THE HEROES WHO SERVED WITH HONOR
Many of those individuals played significant roles in some of this country’s biggest moments. It is making those historical connections with people who called Kandiyohi County and the surrounding home that make the collection and the display so special. “It’s been a remarkable experience really, just to explore these key factors you think about in American history and realize so-and-so down the block was there,” said Lindstrand. “This guy served and did that. These connections to really iconic moments in history and they’re way closer to home than people think.” Lindstrand said he plans to continue collecting and displaying the collection for as long as people still come out to see and learn from it. “It is really about the stories, the pictures, those histories,” Lindstrand
said. “Keeping that history and those memories alive for those guys.” Conflicts such as the Civil War and World War I are already out of living memory. Those who remember or served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam are passing away. Soon, collections such as the USMHC will be one of the places left that remember those who served during those times. The collection also plays an important role in preserving the history and the service of those military members from eras such as the Cold War, the Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. At its core, the USMHC is a thankyou on display to all those men and women and the work they’ve done for the country. “We owe them so much,” Lindstrand said. “I don’t know if there is enough thanks you can give.”
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
A Purple Heart military decoration award sits on display at the Willmar Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, as part of the annual Veterans Day display of the United States Military Historical Collection.
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The roles of the various branches of the U.S. military METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Each November, people across the United States and its territories honor the brave men and women who serve and have served in the various branches of the country’s military. Veterans Day is observed annually every Nov. 11, and honors the service of all U.S. military veterans. The day should not be confused with Memorial Day, which is celebrated each year in May and honors all military personnel who have died in service. Veterans Day is a great time for anyone to learn more about the various branches of the U.S. military.
Army
The U.S. Department of Defense notes that the Army is the largest and oldest service in the country’s military. The
Army provides the ground forces that protect the United States. Members of the Army are trained to defeat enemy ground forces and to seize and control enemy lands and resources. Army also are trained to control and interact with the general population in countries where members are stationed.
Marine Corps.
It might surprise some to learn that the Marine Corps. is a component of the Department of the Navy. That’s one reason why it maintains amphibious and ground units for contingency and combat operations. The Marine Corps. is divided into four groups: the operating forces that fight; the headquarters for leadership; the supporting establishment that provides logistical support; and the Marine Corps. Reserve.
Navy
The Navy protects America at sea. Despite its massive land mass, the United States is a maritime nation, which underscores how important a strong Navy is to the safety of the country and its residents. The Navy works alongside American allies and partners to keep the seas open and free.
Air Force
The Air Force has five core missions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and command and control. The Air Force defends the country and its residents in air, space and cyberspace and is capable of delivering forces anywhere in the world within hours.
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Space Force
The existence of the Space Force may come as a surprise to many Americans. Organized under the Department of the Air Force and established in 2019, this branch of the military organizes, trains and equips space forces in order to protect the interest of America and its allies in space.
Coast Guard
During peacetime, the Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security. In times of war, it operates under the Navy. The Coast Guard provides law and maritime safety enforcement as well as environmental protection. In addition to promoting national security, border security and economic prosperity in the maritime environment, the Coast Guard saves those in peril on the sea.
Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The National Guard has a diverse array of responsibilities that range from supporting combat missions to responding during domestic emergencies to assisting in humanitarian efforts and more. The U.S. military is made up of various branches, each with its own unique missions and responsibilities. Veterans Day marks the perfect occasion to celebrate the many individuals who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. military.
National Guard
The National Guard comprises the
Did you know?
Estimates from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that there were around 19 million veterans in the United States in 2021. Data from the VA indicates that, as of 2016, Gulf War veterans account for the largest share of all U.S. veterans. Roughly 7.8 million veterans served during the Gulf War. Vietnam veterans also make up a sizable percentage of U.S. military veterans, as VA estimates indicate there were approximately 5.9 million veterans who fought in the Vietnam War in 2021. Though veterans need not have served in wartime in order to be recognized and honored on Veterans Day, the vast majority of U.S. veterans served during wartime. According to the VA, 78% of veterans in 2021 had served during wartime.
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DALE HENKELMAN ARMY
MARVIN L HEY
MN NATIONAL GUARD, MAJOR
DUAINE HIRMAN ARMY 1957
GARY HIRMAN AIR FORCE 1966
2/1/60 - 12/31/81
FLOYD HODGE
FLOYD H. JOHNSON ARMY AIR CORP CAPTAIN
JOHN AND GENE HIRMAN KOREAN CONFLICT
STAN HIRMAN NAVY 1964
DAVID KEMP NAVY SUBMARINE SERVICE IC1
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1955
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ERVIN KALLSTOM ARMY
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JIM KLUEGEL ARMY CORP
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DEAN C. LINDQUIST US NAVY DENTAL CORP
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Videographer pays tribute to Walhalla creator of the Blue Moose sculpture BY DELANEY OTTO Grand Forks Herald
WALHALLA, N.D. — In a Facebook video posted by JR Photography, a car slowly makes its way through Walhalla. It travels along the road, up to the Masonic Overlook. The drone moves past it, looking out over the vast landscape, trees serving as a horizon, met by the blue sky. This video was an experiment, as well as a tribute for a fellow artist. “[It was] a perfect opportunity to try something new and make something important to you at the same time,” said Jesus Ramos, the photographer of JR Photography. Married duo Jesus and Sara Ramos, from Neche, N.D., talked about the technical
side and the emotional side to the video. While it was an opportunity to test new editing software, and showcase the beauty of Walhalla, it’s also in honor of a Walhalla sculptor who recently died. Kenneth “Kenny” Tetrault, 74, died on Sept. 11 at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks. A veteran with a comedic personality and talent with wrought-iron sculpting, he’s known for multiple pieces of art in North Dakota. One such piece sits in East Grand Forks in front of the Blue Moose Bar and Grill. The life-sized moose — in the color blue, of course — sculpture was made more than 20 years ago by Tetrault for David Homstad, a previous owner of the restaurant. “I think it added to our legend,” Homstad
Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
said, noting how many people have taken photos with the iconic creation. He also said Tetrault would come by the restaurant now and then, making sure to say hello. In Walhalla, the moose that stands on the raised triangle at the intersection of N.D. Highway 32 and Pembina County Road 55, as well as the elk that sits at the Masonic Overlook, were also both created by Tetrault, a short time before the blue moose. The two originally stood together at the raised triangle, before the elk was moved to the overlook in 2008, a decision Tetrault didn’t approve of at the time. Those two particular sculptures were part of the inspiration Tetrault gave to JR
TETRAULT: Page 16
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What drove us to make the video about Mr. Tetrault is his influence on our local community and the community in northeastern North Dakota in general, from Grand Forks to Walhalla.
Contributed / Chelsey Tetrault
“
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Tetrault is photographed working on a moose sculpture.
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TETRAULT From Page 14
Contributed / Chelsey Tetrault
Tetrault’s elk sculpture stands atop the Masonic Overlook in Walhalla, North Dakota.
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Photography, as well as their importance to Walhalla and the surrounding area. “What drove us to make the video about Mr. Tetrault is his influence on our local community and the community in northeastern North Dakota in general, from Grand Forks to Walhalla,” Sara Ramos said. “We’ve seen his wrought-iron moose and elk affect us in profound ways. We see it in our everyday lives. It represents the spirit of what North Dakota is up here.” Tetrault’s daughter, Chelsey Tetrault, showed the Herald a photo of her father working on the moose sculpture, as well as a number of other creations like birds, bird cages, deer, ships and a recreation of the photograph “The Flag of Stars and Stripes” on Iwo Jima, an island also known as Iō Tō. Chelsey Tetrault said her father never drew out a plan for his sculptures, but took time to study and research them before he began. “It’s just unbelievable how he did it,” she said. A common sight in Walhalla each winter are the angels, wreaths, wise men and camels Tetrault made. Walhalla Chamber of Commerce member Melanie Thornberg mentioned how they would all come out as the snow fell. She also mentioned Tetrault’s comedic personality. “He was quite the colorful character,” she said. He also had advice to give, particularly when it came to graduation cards. His daughter, Chelsey, said during his Navy days there were three things he was given to remember: stay cool, don’t get excited and stay ahead of the pressure. Tetrault added a fourth piece of advice, which he scrawled into graduation cards: don’t do anything stupid. Chelsey said her father had a particular effect on people. He was the type of person who drew respect from others. “You don’t know why you respected this person, but you do,” she said. “They just have it radiating from them.” Kenneth Tetrault’s obituary sums up his life and personality as “a true legend, a hero in his own right, and a master of humor. His presence was extraordinary and exceptional, and there was never a dull moment when he was around. For those who were privileged to know him, he wasn’t just a close friend; he was a constant source of support and entertainment with unshakable confidence and no filter.”
FAQ about Veterans Day METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION
Each November, millions of people recognize the service and sacrifice of military veterans on Veterans Day. Initially commemorated as Armistice Day but renamed Veterans Day in the United States in 1954, the holiday is a federal holiday throughout the country. The first Armistice Day was observed in 1919. Despite that lengthy history, the general public may still have questions about Veterans Day.
When is Veterans Day observed?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that Veterans Day is always observed officially on Nov. 11, regardless of which day of the week that happens to be. In 2023, Veterans Day is Saturday, Nov. 11. Because Veterans Day falls on a Saturday in 2023, the federal observation date is Friday, Nov. 10.
Why is November 11 so significant?
Nov. 11 is a significant day in world history because it marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany at 5:45 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. Though the formal peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, was not signed until 1919 and hostilities between the sides continued for hours after the armistice was signed, the day is still viewed as the end of World War I.
What distinguishes Veterans Day from Memorial Day?
The VA notes that Veterans Day honors all those individuals who served honorably in the military during both wartime and peacetime. Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who lost their lives in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
What is the significance of red poppies?
Red poppies are ubiquitous on Memorial Day, but they’re also visible on Veterans Day. Though it’s not taboo to wear red poppies on Veterans Day, it’s a tradition that aligns more with Memorial Day. That’s because the poppies are typically worn to honor fallen military personnel. A 1915 poem written by a Canadian Lieutenant Colonel named John McCrae referred to the fields of poppies growing around the graves of World War I soldiers in Flanders.
Do other countries honor their military veterans?
Many countries across the globe honor their military veterans, and many do so on Nov. 11 as well. For example, Canadians and Australians observe Remembrance Day in honor of their nations’ respective veterans on Nov. 11. Great Britain observes Remembrance Day on the Sunday nearest to Nov. 11. Veterans Day is a day to honor and commemorate the brave men and women who have honorably served in the U.S. military during wartime and peacetime.
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What to know about PTSD Traumatic events and experiences can affect individuals for a long time. Though it’s often associated with combat veterans, post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, affects people from all walks of life. Because no one is immune to PTSD, it can benefit anyone to learn more about this potentially debilitating yet treatable condition.
What is PTSD?
The American Psychiatric Association defines PTSD as “a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.” Some examples of events that can lead to PTSD include war/combat, a terrorist attack, rape, or incidents in which people have been threatened with death, sexual violence or serious injury. PTSD also can occur after witnessing traumatic events, including natural disasters or serious accidents.
Is PTSD a recent phenomenon?
PTSD has been around as long as there have been traumatic events, though its name is more recent. The APA notes that PTSD has been known by various names in the past, including “shell shock” and “combat fatigue.” These names are no longer used in part because they give the impression that post-traumatic stress is exclusive to combat veterans. That’s a misperception, as the Sidran Institute, a nonprofit organization that helps people understand and recover from PTSD, notes PTSD will affect one in 13 people in the United States and 9 percent of Canadians at some point in their lives.
Who can get PTSD?
The APA notes that exposure to an upsetting traumatic event is necessary before a diagnosis of PTSD can be made.
Did you know?
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that around eight million adults in the United States experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a given year. Women experience PTSD at a much greater rate than men. Estimates from
The APA places symptoms of PTSD into four categories: 1. Intrusion: Symptoms in this category include intrusive thoughts, such as repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event. 2. Avoidance: People with PTSD may avoid reminders of the traumatic event. These reminders can include places, activities, objects, and even people. Individuals also may resist talking about the event and how they feel about it.
3. Alterations in cognition and mood: PTSD can result in an inability to remember details of the traumatic event. Individuals also may develop negative thoughts and feelings that lead to ongoing and distorted beliefs about themselves and others. Individuals may blame themselves for the event or experience ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame. A sense of detachment or estrangement from others also may occur. 4. Alterations in arousal or reactivity: Symptoms in this category may include being irritable and having angry outbursts; reckless, and potentially self-destructive behavior; being overly watchful of surroundings; being easily startled; or experiencing difficulty sleeping or concentrating. PTSD affects people from all walks of life. Individuals who are having difficulty processing a traumatic event they were directly or indirectly involved with are urged to contact their physicians immediately. More information about PTSD is available at www.psychiatry.org.
the USDVA indicate that 10% of women and 4% of men are affected by PTSD. Instances of PTSD are similarly prevalent in Canada, where the Canadian Psychological Association estimates that around 8% of Canadians who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. Though no one is immune to PTSD, rates of the disorder among combat
veterans are significantly higher than the rates among the general population. USDVA reports that one study of 1,938 veterans found that the prevalence rate among Gulf War veterans was around 14%, while an older study from the American Psychological Association found that about 30% of Vietnam War veterans had PTSD in their lifetime.
However, that exposure can be indirect. For example, police officers who are repeatedly exposed to details of heinous crimes can develop PTSD even though they are not victims of those crimes and did not witness them. But the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that individuals are more likely to develop PTSD if they are directly exposed to a trauma or actively injured.
What are some symptoms of PTSD?
18 | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023
GARY LOCHER AIR FORCE
BURT LUNDBERG ARMY SGT
BURTON MCBROOM MARINES WWII
LT. ART MIDDLETON SERVED IN WWII
SGT. 1ST CLASS PETER MIDDLETON
SGT BRIAN MUNDAHL
GARY NELSON ARMY SPC 4 VIETNAM WAR
VERNON NORLING ARMY
LTC DAN O’MEARA
PFC GERALD H. OLSON
RALPH OLSON 1ST SARGENT
CARL HOWARD PETERSON NAVY
KEN PETERSON
VERNON PORTER AIR FORCE
PAUL RAMPAART US NAVY EN-3
PETER RAMPAART US ARMY MAJOR
JOEL RAWKOWSKI ARMY
ROBERT RIPLEY ARMY
MELVIN ROONEY
LEROY RUBES ARMY KOREA
LAWRENCE SCHMIDT
SSG GREGORY C. SCHMIT US ARMY E-6
PRESENTLY SERVING IN THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE
ARMY PFC ALEUTIAN ISLAND CAMPAIGN 1943-1944
GARY MOFFAT AIR FORCE
PHILLIP OLSON NAVY
WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 19
ALEC SCOFIELD
SGT. JOSHUA A SCHMIT US ARMY E-5 KIA IRAQ 4/14/07
RICHARD SCHROEDER ARMY
ARMY RESERVES SPECIALIST ALEC IS A 2013 LITCHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND A 2018 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GRADUATE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE. HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE U.S ARMY RESERVE 644TH BRIGADE RSG OUT OF FORT SNELLING.
JUDY SCHULTZ AIR FORCE & ARMY SERGEANT
PRIVATE EUGENE J. SELL
US ARMY 1ST DIVISION, 26TH INFANTRY REGIMENT-SCOUT 1944-1945
HERBERT L SHARSTROM
WW2 VETERAN US NAVY SERVED ON THE SHIP/AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS CORREGIDOR PACIFIC FLEE. WAS A SEAMAN SECOND CLASS.
DATE OF ENTRY INTO ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE 06-08-1943 THRU DATE OF DISCHARGE APRIL 20, 1946. WORLD WAR II WAS SEPTEMBER 1, 1939 – SEPTEMBER 2, 1945.
LYLE SIMENSON
NAVY AIR LYLE SHOWN ON MIDWAY ISLAND. LYLE WAS A CREW MEMBER ON P.5.M MARLIN SEAPLANE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
WALLY SJOGREN
CLIFFORD SMITH ARMY KOREA
ELWOOD SORENSON NAVY AND ARMY
ERIK SORENSON AIR FORCE
ADAM STALEY, SSG U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
ALAN STALEY, SFC U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
CLYDE STREGE WW2 VETERAN USNAVY
LINUS A. SUESS SR. UNITED STATES AIR FORCE A/3C (P)
ALEX SUNDBERG
BURTON SUNDBERG
RAYMOND SUTTON MARINES
WALTON J. SWART ARMY SPEC 4
JOHN TEBRAKE ARMY
PETER “ANDREW” TENSEN US ARMY PFC
GERALD THIELKE ARMY
20 | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023
THANK YOU, VETERANS AND YOUR FAMILIES
for your sacrifices and courage
WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 21
22 | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023
DOUGLAS PAUL THOMPSON NAVY E4
ELMO TORKELSON ARMY
JAMES TURNER II WITH PRECIOUS USMC
MARVIN TURNIPSEED
IVAN UNDERLAND ARMY CORP.
DALE VONDERHARR US AIR FORCE
DENNIS VONDERHARR US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
DOUG VONDERHARR US AIR FORCE
LEO VONDERHARR US ARMY
AL WATKINS ARMY
PAUL WEARDA ARMY
SERGEANT HARVEY WILLPRECHT KOREAN WAR 1950-1952
BRIAN WITTMAN ARMY SP4 229TH SIGNAL CO.
CURTIS WOOD AIR FORCE
PIRMASENS, GERMANY
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY KAY WESTLIE BLACK & WHITE PICTURE IS OF HER DAD ON DEC. 7, 1945 WHEN HE WAS DISCHARGED. OTHER PICTURES ARE FROM 1991 WHEN HE WAS HONORED IN THE MONTEVIDEO FIESTA DAYS PARADE. 1 IS WITH HIM HOLDING HER TWINS AND THE OTHER IS WITH HER SON ZACH WEARING GRANDPA’S MARINE UNIFORM. HER DAD SERVED IN THE PACIFIC AS A MEDIC FOR 3 YEARS. HE HAD THE NAVY UNIFORM AND THE MARINE UNIFORM.
Thank You to all the veterans who have served! WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023 | 23
Happy Veterans Day Home of the free, because of the brave!
Peterson Brothers Funeral Home Atwater - Spicer - Sunburg - Willmar 700 Becker Ave SW, Willmar, MN 56201 • (320) 235-1651
www.petersonbrothers.com
24 | WEST CENTRAL TRIBUNE - Saturday, November 11, 2023
