Wendal Cushing
June 30, 1931 – November 11, 2016
Wendal Cushing, age 85 of Bottineau, died Friday at Mesa AZ.
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Gary’s Comments
Wendal was a teacher at the Forestry for many years. He was in the science department. I know those of you that attended the Forestry knew Wendal.
Wendal was a brother to Kathleen Grimme, Bill and Gwen’s mother, too.
We extend our condolences to all of Wendal’s family with his passing.
Remembrance Day
From Vickie Metcalf (’70): Bottineau, ND
Gary and Dunseith Friends,
Dad’s brothers were, Billy, Charlie, Lucky,Jim, Archie, Emil, Henry, Lloyd, and…..Roy & George
My dad loved all his many brothers in our large Metcalfe clan.
He never differentiated between what other folks call ‘1/2 brothers and full brothers.’
And through example, I was taught not to either.
I recall Dad often saying, “He felt just as close or closer to other veterans as he was to his own brothers.”
As a child, I couldn’t fathom.
Why?
Why was he so fiercely connected to area veterans in our community in that way.
Whenever he heard a negative comment about another Vet , he’d quietly uplift them with a comment.
When questioned say, “I understand him”.
One time he told his wishes. “He wanted area veterans as his pallbearers”
I didn’t get it!
Through these many years gone by, finally I understand, Dad would not and could not judge another veteran.
He felt understood by other Veteran’s and understood them.
No. Not just Empathy.But literally.
As a youth he had walked and sailed through WWII, coming back changed a man.
So,I read this article and thought.
Dad would have known exactly what this Canadian veteran was talking about.
“For Iqaluit-born Harry Eegeesiak, who served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 22 years, Remembrance Day is about remembering his buddies.”
“We were all brothers. From a different mother,” he added, with a laugh.”
Yes,
Clear now, with their solemn pride, veterans silently place the flags unfurling in the breeze on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
I give them a nod with thanks and knowledge of the Blessed Freedom which I enjoy.
I silently whisper, “Dad,”I GOT IT”.
Vickie L. Metcalfe
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/harry-eegeesiak-remembrance-day-1.3847827
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Blog (519) posted on July 22, 2009
08/14/2009
Posted on August 14, 2009
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Bill Berube has cancer (69): LARAMIE, WY
Posted by Crystal Fassett Andersen (70): Walhalla, ND.
Gary, I am not sure if anyone has shared this, but Bill and Sheri are needing everyone’s prayers, so could you Post this for anyone who wishes to send Bill a note. I know he would love to know so many people are praying for him.
A new Journal entry for William’s CaringBridge website was posted at 8:44:00 AM on Jul 27, 2009.
Read the latest update: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/williamberube
Bill, Being away from home the past 3 weeks, I am a little late getting this posted. This message about blew me away. With the possitive attitude that you have, you can lick this. Hang in there. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Gary
Folks,
We got home this morning from our wonderful trip. It was a 24 hour trip from Seattle. The longest leg was the 10 1/2 hour flight from Seattle to Japan.
The Seattle reunion and the Alaska cruise came off nearly flawless in my opinion. What great events. Starting with the Seattle reunion on July 24th with 59 folks in attendance many of us saw folks we had not seen in years and in some cases nearly 44 years. I believe it was Evie Gottbreht and Francie Gottbreht that had not seen each other in nearly 44 years. They are cousins too. I had not seen Francie in 45 years myself. That whole evening was so much fun talking and visiting with so many folks from the past. I think we have some pictures on our camera that Bernadette took during the course of the evening that I will post at a later date. I know many of you guys have some good pictures too that we’d love to see. Please share.
The Cruise was awesome. It was so wonderful seeing so many of our group each and everyday of the cruise. The food and the ships hospitality were wonderful. It made for a great atmosphere for us to just enjoy. We had a wonderful cocktail party the first night, compliments of the ship. It was at this party that we discovered we had great singing talent among us. Cheryl Haagenson sang several beautiful songs. Later on in the cruise she won a singing contest too. What beautiful talent. I understand Gary Metcalfe sang a beautiful solo one evening too, without music. I missed that one. The mornings were great for a lot of us folks too, up in the Market Cafe on the 12th deck, table hoping shooting the breeze as folks from our group filtered through for breakfast at different times. I think several days, several folks never left the Market Cafe from Breakfast until lunch at noon. There were lots of stories and memories told. What fun. On the 5th night the ship arranged for all of us to dine together for the evening dinner meal. Following the meal we had two beautiful professional pictures taken of our group that I have pasted below. I will post the identities of those in these pictures in a few days. Bill Grimme has provided a great key with numbers for each of these pictures that I will be sending out in a couple of days. For now I am just posting the photos. I plan on sending the total group picture to all three of the local Bottineau/Rolla/Belcourt papers too. I’d love some help with a newspaper article too. I am not the worlds greatest writer and they print everything pretty much as written that is sent to them. There are 26 of us in the photo of those of us that attended Dunseith that were on the cruise.
I have not posted everything that I have in my in box that I have recieved from you folks with this message. I should have my in box pretty well cleaned out and caught up in the next day or two.
From Diane Larson Sjol (70): Minot, ND.
Hi Gary and everyone on the blog…
First of all, I want to say that the cruise was an experience of a
lifetime. We were treated first class all the way. The ship and
everyone on it made the cruise an event to remember. Our weather was
perfect; the rooms fantastic and roomy; the food excellent; the
entertainment and company second to none…I could go on and on. I
think I took over 600 pictures..thank goodness for digital cameras. I
want to say that Gary, you did an amazing job of pulling this
together…words can’t say enough about the good you do in this
world….bringing us together in friendship….Bernadette, I was so
happy to meet you…you are beautiful and kind….The dinner before
the cruise was great and it was so wonderful to see so many people we
haven’t seen in awhile…and meet some I have never met before. I
think I am still on Alaska time….we flew in tonite from Seattle and
got into Minot at about 1130 pm and here it is 2:50 in the morning and
I am still up….
Well, it is back to reality….and a diet….I think I must have
gained a few pounds eating all that delicious food!!!
From Bill (Willie) (60) & Al-lyn Longie: Vancouver, WA
Gary,
I don’t know if you are still vacationing or have returned home and are or aren’t checking emails but I wanted to tell you again how much Bill and I appreciate all the work you did to provide an unforgettable experience for us. We would have loved to have spent more time visiting but aside from that the cruise was flawless. I had never imagined we would be seeing all we did and felt we were allowed extra privilege with the weather we got to enjoy.
Each person we met was a delight and every excursion memorable.
While most of you are still unwinding from this past trip I am already gearing up for the next. Please stay in touch and keep us posted on any future trip or plans to get together.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet you in person.
Al-lyn
From Randy Hiatt: NORTH BEND, WA.
Gary and family I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciated you
taking the time to meet with my wife Lori and me. I greatly appreciate
the packet of letters from Bing Evans. I hope your trip up to Alaska
went well. The weather should have been good as we set a record in
Seattle of 103 degrees the week you guys were in Alaska. Any more
letters or pictures of my biological father Bing would be appreciated.
Gary Stokes I am glad I had a chance to meet you in person and see the
man who has put so many memories together for folks like me. I am
looking forward to reading the blog and see how things went up in
Alaska.
Once again thanks, Randy Hiatt
Randy, Thank you. You guys are great folks as well. You come from good stock. You are such warm loving friendly folks. I was a bit surprised when you introduced your self to me in the Denny’s restaurant in SeaTac. It was such a pleasant surprise. Gary Metcalfe and his family were with you too. Gary
From Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL.
Some Pictures from the Cruise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywc_01pUeSo
From Blanch Wicks Schley (42): Grandforks, ND.
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Gary,
I will miss reading your daily message and look forward to your return. Happy Birthday, Happy Trip and Happy Reunion with your service buddies. You are such a good organizer so I am sure that everything will be most enjoyable.
I have been wondering how the school system in Dunseith meeting in the original building accommodated grade school and high school. Can you enlighten me on this? When was the first graduating class at Dunseith High School?
Best wishes for a very pleasant vacation!
Blanche Schley
Blanche, Thank you very much for the kind birthday wishes. You are so thoughtful. I think I will let Dick Johnson or some of the others in the know answer your question about school. Gary
From Brenda Hoffman (68): Greenville, SC
Happy Birthday Gary! You share a birthday with Toni Morinville Gredesky. Enjoy your vacation. It couldn’t happen at a better time for me – we are taking a month long road trip to MN, ND and the state of Washington – August 1 to August 31. Will only have two weeks of Dunseith blog catch-up when I return home.
Happy Birthday!
Brenda
Thank you Brenda. Gary
From Paulette LaCroix Chisholm (68): Newark, Delaware
A little birdie told me to wish Gary Stokes, Toni Morinville Gredesky and Dick Johnson a very “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” On July 21st! Health, happiness and longevity are wished for all!
Paulette, Thank you too. Gary
Dick Johnson’s (68) reply: Dunseith, ND.
Gary,
I was born on July 20, 1950 and Toni was born the next day–July 21. Our
moms were room mates at the Bottineau hospital.
Dick
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From Bobby Slyter (70): Wichita, Kansas
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY GARY, YOU ARE LOOKIN GOOD FOR BEING 62, I WILL BE 60 IN FEBRUARY AND DONT HAVE ANY HOPES TO LOOKIN THAT GOOD, YOU AND BERNADETTE HAVE A WONDERFUL, FUN AND SAFE TRIP
Thank you Bobby for the kind words. Pictures can be deceiving. With a little closer look, I’m getting a little rough around the edges. Gary
From Marlene Richard Parslow (65): mmparslow@msn.com River Falls, WI. & Sunlakes, AZ.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY!!! You look a lot younger than me!! How did that happen?? Have a great vacation. You deserve some rest and relaxation. You have been a life line to many of us!
Thanks,
Marlene(Richard) Parslow
Marlene, Now your are making me feel really good. I think the looks thing can be disputed though. I have attached a beautiful picture that speaks for it self. We 65 folks have hit that 62 year mark too. Gary
July 12, 2007
Marlene Richard Parslow
From Sybil Johnson: Cheyenne, WY.
Gary, have an enjoyable vacation with Bernadette. See you when you get back. I also enjoy your blogs everyday and look forward to the next one. I have learned a few things about my family the JOHNSONS. Sybil Johnson
Dunseith Alaskan Cruise
Total group with a few folks missing. We had 64 folks in our group of which there are not 64 in this picture. We are missing several who at the moment I don’t know who they are. I’ll figure it out though when I put the key together. Gary
Those that attended Dunseith schools that were on the cruise.
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