Thanks to all the Veterans
Posting from Ginger LaRocque Poitra (‘’65): Belcourt, ND
This is to thank all the veterans from the class of 65′ for serving our country during the Vietnam War. I would also like to thank all the current soldiers serving along with all the veterans from all the military branches for their service to our country.
Your service and sacrifices are greatly appreciated.
It is and has been each and everyone of you that has helped to maintain our freedom!
Happy Veterans Day!!
Ginger, class of 65′
Veterans Day
Posting from Vickie Metcalfe (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary and Dunseith Friends,
It is now November 7, 2015.
Beginning in September, a cousin’s wife wrote; she was helping her grand daughter with a school Veteran’s Day project. They were seeking information on her brother-in law Jack.
I had always known, three of my Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary’s sons ; Robert served in the Pacific in WWII. Later. Billy and Jack served in Korea.
I suggested to Jack’s sister -in- law, about book located at the Veterens service office and perhaps at larger library. A book lists every service members home county, rank, year of service.
She found the book at the library.
She discovered several Metcalfe’s who served; Charles, Emil, Clifford and Robert WWII. John and William in Korea.
Among that lot;
John Wesley Metcalfe served in the United States Navy from December 1952-December 1955. Jack’s brother, Billy served on the same ship as did Orlan Olson. All served with honor.
She told a story told to her by Jack about the ship on fire and sinking. The Metcalfe brother’s, were concerned about friend, quickly found him each seized an arm and jumped. As they hit the water, the poor guy yelled,”You know I can’t swim!” Jack replied, “Move your arms, you are going to learn today.”
He swam. The little fourth grade granddaughter now had a place to begin writing her Veterans Day report,
I am recalling memories of Jack.
Mom and Dad had spoken fondly of Jack who came and worked for my parents one fall when I was a wee baby.
He went away to the Navy.
When I was a little more than three years old, Jack came back to work for Mom and Dad; he had just been released from military service.
My parents were happy he was back. They could depend on him to help. As a child I felt the ease mom and dad around Jack. And, Jack and Dad enjoyed swapping tales.
That winter, Dad was plastering Belcourt hospital or school. Mom was expecting another child.
Jack listened to kids and spoke in words we understood. He was never disrespectful to my parents. They could count on him coming to help ‘chore’.
Dad had fed the cattle before going to Belcourt early in the morning; he’d hand pump water, feed cattle by hand with hayrack and team.
Jack lived about 5 miles west in his parental home. He drove over each day to milk cows and clean the barn.
Jack took my elder sister to her first day of first grade. The country school was about 2 miles West, cross country through the snow at Oakes a.k.a Seim School.
He picked up my sister carried her out side put her in the straw on the stone boat, which was pulled by Barney the white percheron. Later in the afternoon he would go get her and start evening chores.
When he had a break he began teaching himself to play banjo. T’was then, my parents thoughts of me being a pianist were doomed; as watching Jack, childlike decided I wanted to pick banjo. The little windup play guitar was a solace and he’d pick, I’d wind up my Christmas guitar and together we’d ‘play’. He never made fun, or talk down to me.
I attached myself to him as I did the Jim Metcalfe girls. I knew he was my cousin, and with childlike trust, I bonded with ‘Smilin’ Jack.
I was a pest to Jack,who maintained a jolly and kind personality, had infinite patience and tolerance with my 3 year old mind.
I watched and persisted with constant inquisitve questioning of what he was doing with that rather odd looking ‘guitar’?
In June 1956, I went to stay with the Jim Metcalfe farm, my elder sister stayed with King Fish and Fafa Seim so she could continue grade one.
My mother went to Bottineau to have a baby. And, Dad and Jack? They batched. Jack would laugh, “Lottie left ham. Cliff fried ham and eggs for breakfast, we ate ham sandwiches for dinner, and ate ham and fried potatoes or hominy for supper. He said, HAM for every meal 3 x a day! But it was good.
My fond friendship with my cousin ensued though the years.
I had a tough accident, it was Jack who rang me up at St. Alexis hospital. Not once. But every day he phoned me every afternoon after therapy at Bismarck and continued through the summer. He’d ask?I answer, “I’m fine.”
Cousin Jack, every day continued ringing me on the phone, calling from Georgia.
Jack,”I am fine, Mom drives me over to physical therapy every day and I walk away to the highway.”
One day, no phone call…..Surprise! On that warm August late afternoon, into the yard came a car with Georgia plates.
I met Jack in the yard, as he said, “I needed to be sure you really were o.k.”
He spent the entire afternoon visiting with mom and I. Delighting us with silly stories, of pickin guitar with mountain folk locals at various places in Georgia. Crazier tales of people who attend a church on every street corner and…. worship dancing with snakes curled in their arms! ….OMG! I’d say, and listened to more tales as only Jack could tell. Laughter!
The Worst News EVER about Jack, came one evening, when mom rang me in Montana.
…. Devastating below the belt….staggering hit….A durty……. PUNCH was drawn on Jack.
He was stricken with an ugly, filthy, agonizing disease.
It never stopped, relentless, first taking away his deft fingers, he could not pick blue grass joyfully. Taking away energy.
It continued seizing, eating, consuming and finally ravaged its course through his entire body.
I had the most difficult time gutting it up to go see him. (I have always been tender about people loved.
I am one of those who reads the back of the book first to see if it ends well. My brother has counted times when I get up and leave the room when some scary or sad show comes on.)
Before I went to see Jack, I needed courage to be strong. I knew about what he faced,because, a best friends mother had just passed from the same illness.
Finally I summoned strength, I thought I can do this, I have…courage.
I went alone the first time to see him.
The courage was not lasting, a last residue of courage stripped away when I saw him. I wept openly. Saying,Jack, “I am so sorry I couldn’t come sooner.
(You see, my brave Korean War Veteran, banjo pickin cousin,could no longer lift his head, nor his hands and fingers, sat limp and weak in a wheel chair.) ]
I got on my knees to look up at his eyes, his face.
His soft melodius voice spoke, “I know you Vickie. I have always known why, you couldn’t come. I knew you’d be here,when you were ready.”
Yes. Jack understood. We always shared the wealth of our families. As with many of my cousins, that wealth is deep.
At its depth is a fond sentimental family understanding; as humans we each have imperfections, and an absolute unconditional Love and forgiveness.
My Dad had always said he thought perhaps this was combination of the our Scots blood and French.
Yep. Most times that sentimental genetic line has me snottering.
Any way, ……..I have always wondered if serving on a USA war ship during Korea with ‘asbestos’ aided another deadly enemy, ALS?
Jack fought on a ship in Korean waters. He survived one war. He was a proud and honorable American Veteran.
Later, ALS got his body….
But never did it get his spirit.
God Bless America each and every day!
Thank You to each American Veteran on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.
Until Later, Vickie Leona Metcalfe
Christmas Craft show
Posting from Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Yesterday’s veterans (Part 2 of 3)
Posting from Dale Pritchard (’63): Leesville, LA
Gary,
Here is Part 2 of the Movie Actor Veterans follows:
Robert Stack: US Navy Gunnery Officer
Neville Brand: US Army Europe; Awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart
Tyrone Power: US Marines; Transport pilot in the Pacific Theater
Charlton Heston: US Army Air Corps; Radio operator and aerial gunner on a B-25, Aleutians
James Arness: US Army; As an infantryman, he was severely wounded at Anzio, Italy (Older brother of actor Peter Graves)
Efram Zimbalist, Jr: US Army; Purple Heart for a severe wound received at Huertgen Forest
Mickey Spillane: US Army Air Corps Fighter Pilot and later Instructor Pilot
Rod Sterling: US Army 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. Jumped at Tagaytay in the Philippines and was later wounded in Manila
Gene Autry: US Army Air Corps; Crewman on transports that ferried supplies over “The Hump” in the China-Burma-India Theater
William Holden: US Army Air Corps
William Conrad: US Army Air Corps Fighter Pilot
Jackie Coogan: US Army Air Corps; Volunteered for gliders and flew troops and materials into Burma behind enemy lines
Tom Bosley: US Navy
Claude Akins: US Army Signal Corps; Burma and the Philippines
Chuck Conners: US Army Tank-warfare instructor
Karl Malden: US Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force, NCO
Earl Holliman: US Navy; Lied about his age to enlist. Discharged after a year when the Navy found out
Don Knotts: US Army, Pacific Theater
Don Rickles: US Navy aboard USS Cyrene
Robert Stack: US Navy Gunnery instructor
Lee Van Cleef: US Navy; Served aboard a sub chaser and a mine sweeper
Jack Warden: US Navy, 1938 – 1942, then US Army 1942 – 1945; 101st Airborne Division
Don Adams: US Marines; Wounded on Guadalcanal, then served as a Drill instructor
Brian Keith: US Marines Radioman / Gunner in Dauntless dive-bombers
Fess Parker: US Navy and US Marines; Booted from pilot training because he was too tall, joined Marines as a radio operator
Part 3 to follow.
Dale Pritchard
====================================
Blog (380) posted on February 26 , 2009
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02/26/2009
Posted on February 26, 2009
Folks, The TV Cable sales man was just here and returned the money from yesterday’s story. Because of this, he lost his job. We just talked to the supervisor that I was dealing with at the Cable company and he said there is a big, in house, investigation going on because if this incident. They discovered that there were quite a few folks involved from different deparments in the company with this under the table deal they made with me. This is the only TV cable company that services this Island, so they are quite large.
Request from Martha Lamb Schepp (68): Newburg, ND
Hi Gary,
We are enjoying the service you provide to all of us who enjoy the times of days gone by. Shane Lester would like to be added to your list serve. Thanks for all that you do.
Martha Lamb Schepp, Newburg, ND ’68
It is my pleasure to add Shane Lester to our distribution. I believe Shane is the guy that is related to the Cook’s and House’s from Little Prairie. He would also be related to some of the Espe’s, Millang’s and Salmonson’s. I believe you mentioned that Shane works with your husband in the Newburg area. Gary
From Bev Morinville Azure (72): Dunseith, ND
I am not sure if you know this or not but back in the 70’s there was a group of gals from here that were all the rage. The groups name was Tickled Pink and it was one of the best bands around here. The members were Janice, Kathy, Elaine and Cheri Metcalfe and Shelly Fulsebakke. They played all over and we had a blast when they would be at the AC or up at Kelvin. They played country plus oldies these were a talented bunch of woman . Anyone have any memories they can share about the band . I do remember they walked into the AC bar with the idea of forming a band and walked out with enough money to start. Alot of people supported them.
GOD BLESS YOU …………BEV
From Mark Schimetz (70): Rolette, ND
Hey Gary, Dick Johnson, his wife Brenda and Ron Hett played for us at the Good Sam’s Nursing home on Sunday in Bottineau. In celebration of Mid’s 90th Birthday. The room was large, packed, and short of chairs. The music was grand, They played a song “Chancellor Ville” from the Civil War era, a blue grass tune from the movie “Oh! Brother where art thou?” , some Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Charlie Prides “Crystal Chandelier”, Cashes, Folsom Prison and Haggard’s, The Bottle let me down. The Music was preformed with a guitars, a banjo and large base guitar played by Brenda, Ron Hett switched back and forth from his guitar to his banjo as Dick Johnson set the lead.
There were a lot of smiles on the residents and visitors faces and wondering expressions of days gone by, countenanced on the faces of many of the elders. Dick and company were to play for an hour, however, they were asked to stay another hour and they gladly accepted the invitation to the great delight of all in attendance.
Shortly after the first hour Gary Fulsebakke arrived and joined in for a short time to sing Happy Birthday to his Mother and all joined in. Gary then Borrowed a guitar and moved to the south wing where the special celebration was given for his mother where she lauded with songs and remembrances of days gone by and serenaded by Gary with gospel music she loved to sing all her life. Gary had some cute stories about the early days at home and I hope to get him to share them with us.
I have been informed that on March 8th 2009, Dick and Friends will play at Good Sam’s , and every 2nd Sunday of the Month. there after. This is the plan according to Dick.
Thank you Dick, Brenda and Ron, and Gary for the great music. You all put a lot of smiles on the people Sunday and I know some really felt alive again and left that home for a couple hours in their minds, lost in time following the sweet music you all played and if they don’t remember much, I am sure the music will not be forgotten. Music soothes the soul.
God Bless you all, and keep up the gallant work as long as you can.
Dick Johnson’s (70) reply: Dunseith, ND
Gary,
Thanks for the advance copy of Mark’s nice write-up. The name of our
group is ‘Highway 43’, we felt it was fitting as most of the musicians
we have in this area live on or within a couple miles of 43. It seems
it’s always been that way, if you think back. Ole Bursinger, Lorraine
Metcalfe, Jack Metcalfe, Carl and Shirley Melgaard, Hank Salmonson, Pete
Berginski, Sharon Albertson, Kenny Sivertson for a few from back in the
day. It’s somewhat the same now with just a few more names thrown in the
mix. I never considered the idea of so many pickers and singers along
‘ol 43 until someone asked us to pick out a name for the group. We sure
do have fun doing these little ‘gigs’ and if folks like our music, that
is an added bonus! Thanks Mark and Gary!
Dick
Gary,
I just reread Mark’s story and need to enter a correction. We are
jamming at the senior center every second Sunday–Mark said Good Sam.
Thanks!
Dick
Dick, I’ll bet you will draw quite a crowd too, of all ages, when folks know you are going to be there. It’s wonderful that you are doing this for the community. Gary