“Dunseith Community Service Award at Large”
Message from Donna DuBois Thomas (72): Dunseith, ND
Hi Gary,
You are nominated and have won the “Dunseith Community Service Award at Large.” Will you be able to come from the Philippines or can your brother Darrel pick it up for you. The plaques will be give out during then Dunseith Days Parade on Saturday August,14., Call me for further details. CONGRATULATIONS!
Donna DuBois-Thomas – Class of ’72. (701-477-5998 or 263-4439)
Donna,
This is such an honor. I want to thank the Dunseith Community for being selected to receive this prestigious award. I know there are others other equally deserving as me. Thank you.
Unfortunately I will not be able to be there on August 14th. Yes, I’d love to have my brother Bud or Dick Johnson pick this up on my behalf. I have not yet discussed this with either of them. This is a very busy time for both of these guys. If they are unable to be there, we will figure something else out.
Again, Thank you
Gary
Camp Metigoshe
Reply from Arlene (Jerry) LaCroix (73): Bottineau, ND
Gary
Just to further Art Rudes information about Camp Metigoshe being a
Lutheran Bible Camp. It is, but for two weeks each summer it is
borrowed by Trinity Youth Camp ( A catholic bible camp based out of
Rolla). Today many catholic kids attend Camp Metigoshe and Trinity
Youth. And yes, there is a Catholic Mass held each Saturday night at
the Metigoshe Chapel from Memorial Day until Labor Day.
Enjoy your blog and look forward each day to new suprises and a chance
to learn more about the Turtle Mountain Area.
Arlene LaCroix ( Mrs. Jerry LaCroix)
Reply from Dwight Lang (61): Tucson, AZ
Hi Gary,
I still remember my dog tag, NG27775040, after some fifty years. But can’t remember what I had for supper last night. You reversed my trail. Did boot camp in Ft. Leonard Wood and then served out the rest of time at Ft. Lewis during the worlds fair. The space needle was the big attraction then. I also remember another attraction, one million silver dollars in a clear plastic oversized barrel. Other than that don’t ask me about the other exhibits. Also I still have a clear memory of the gal who picked and sang Pasty Cline songs in one of the honky tonks downtown.
Take care buddy,
Dwight Lang
Reply to Keith Pladson (66)
From Colette Hosmer (64): Santa Fe, NM
Fascinating story, Keith. And you have an interesting point. I look forward to more “knee-jerk” life stories.
Colette Hosmer
Army & Vietnam
Reply from Kenny Nerpel (65): Rugby, ND
I guess I could have made some wiser decisions also, but I felt the same way as Keith. I simply could not see spending that extra year in the service. I think the key is to make the decision, follow through on it and then never look back and question it. As Gary said, I went through basic training with him and a bunch of other fellows from North Dakota at Fort Lewis, WA. Some of it was actually kind of enjoyable. I enjoyed the marching and the Jody calls that went with it. “Ain’t no use in going home, Jody’s got your girl and gone. Sound off, 1,2 Sound off 3,4 bring it on down 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4”. And on and on. And the “I don’t know but I been told” series. Some of those drill sergeants were incredibly talented. I recall asking one of them on one occasion how he expected us to stay in step when we all had legs of different lengths. He replied, “Oh college boy huh, that sounds like a personal problem to me” and dropped me for pushups. “Drill sergeant, now I understand Drill Sergeant”. Excellent teaching tools, those pushups. Some of it was really hilarious, especially when hillbillies like Gary and me got our turns at calling the Cadence. I’m glad no one got that on film.
Then it was on to Fort Polk, LA for advanced training in light weapons infantry, the dreaded 11B Mos.
When arriving in Vietnam I was told that the company that I was being assigned to was at that time experiencing 50% casualties. In other words you had one chance in two of being wounded or killed. I never actually saw the figures but said to myself at least there is a chance.
It is also interesting how seemingly unrelated things can affect the course of your life. I have throughout my life reacted severely to insect bites and stings. Our company was out on patrol one day and like so often happened it was decided that rather than go back to the base, we would just dig in and spend the night in the jungle. I got stung by an insect on the side of my face and it immediately started swelling. This alarmed the platoon leader and he decided I should be sent back to the base. A chopper was getting ready to leave for the nearest base and he told me to get my donkey on the chopper and get out of there. Well the chopper was located some distance from the perimeter so I headed in that direction. When I got about halfway there the VC decided they didn’t like the helicopter sitting there and began to mortar it. The chopper takes off leaving me in the middle of nowhere with no idea what to do. Well I decide to beat a hasty retreat back to the perimeter and to make a long story short we were able to lay down enough fire so that the enemy retreated and I was finally able to board the chopper and get out of there. The VC did try to overrun the company position that night and there were a number of casualties. If I would not have reacted to that sting, who knows.
regards
Kenny
Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA
Gary,
You are so right with your comment of how we play the cards we are dealt. Some who start with all the best achieve greatly, while others do not! And some who start with nothing achieve greatly while others do not! It’s all in how we play the cards we’re dealt!
And yes, to confirm, when Alice and I first met we each had only High School Diploma’s. But about five years after we got married we both decided to go back to school and I earned first an Associate’s in Business Administration and later a Bachelor’s in Business Management and Alice earned an Associate’s in Business Administration, then a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology and later still a Master’s in Contract Management.
But, enough said, or it will sound like bragging.
Keith Pladson (66)
