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FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL MOVED TO SPRING: Coach reactions PAGE 10
Killed in action in Pacific, pilot left legacy YOU SHOULD KNOW:
BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER
Roger Benson was a grown man when World War II broke out. The son of Herman and Frances Benson, he was born in 1916, one of seven children who learned to fly on a grass strip on his family's farm next to Bald Eagle Lake. He was not obligated to enlist but felt he had a skill to bring to the war, noted Sara Markoe Hanson, executive director of the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society. “He was a trained pilot who felt he could make a difference in the war effort.” Benson joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to the Pacific. He died of burns Nov. 8, 1944, suffered when his transport plane was hit by enemy fire and SEE PILOT, PAGE 10
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World War II pilot Roger Benson learned to fly on a grass strip located on his family’s farm next to Bald Eagle Lake. He graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1933.
Names of those who died in WWII In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, Aug. 14, 1945, we are running the following list of those from the White Bear area who died defending their country. Names were provided by VFW Post 1782*: William A. Reed, John H. Richardson, Vern J. Campbell, Richard R. Houle, Thomas C. Riebel, William F. Karth, Richard E. Dufrene, Roger J. Benson, Warren G. Oaks, Donald C. McGeary, Robert G. Mattlin, Allen L. Nederkorn, Robert I. Anderson, William G. White, Edward H. Brandl, Ronald J. Perron, Douglas A. Chambers, Elmer T. Marcotte, Robert G. Greene, Kenneth E. Lair, Marvin N. Handlos and Robert Speckman. *The VFW adds a disclaimer that the list is not all inclusive. It has been compiled over the years by past members of American Legion Post 39 and VFW Post 1782. If names are missing from the list, contact either of the veterans organizations to request that a name be added.
Six of eight sports on for fall BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Aquatic audience participation Some of the dozens of boaters and swimmers who gathered on Bald Eagle Lake for a free concert from the band “Bootleg Technical” float offshore during the Saturday evening musical performance that started around 6 p.m. and concluded before sunset. Organizers of the event, sponsored by the Bald Eagle Area Association, designed and set up the concert to be viewed from the lake. Find more photos at presspubs.com.
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Sighs of relief were heard Tuesday, Aug. 5 as six of the eight fall sports offered by White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi were told they’ll be able to play in the fall. After months of speculation, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) announced that boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, girls swimming, and girls tennis get the goahead, albeit with shortened seasons and some restrictions. “Our soccer, cross country, swim and dive, and tennis seasons will look a lot different this fall,” said Aaron Forsythe, Mahtomedi activities director. “We will only be competing within our Metro East Conference, with a 30% reduction in contests. Player pods and safety precautions were instituted this summer and will continue this school year.” Earlier, the MSHSL, advised by Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control, had ranked football as the highest-risk sport, soccer and volleyball as medium risks, and tennis, cross country and swimming as lowest risk. Football and volleyball were moved to spring.