The Ballad of the Green Beret song still brings tears to my eyes. We were in Ft. Benning, Georgia in 1967 when Dad went to Viet Nam and they came to film The Green Beret movie. The general’s house across the street from us was used as the Viet Cong headquarters. It was a big white colonial house with columns, very pristine, but they had a “mud” party to make it look like it was in the jungle. There was a big benefit at our stadium for the families whose men were in Viet Nam and John Wayne, Aldo Rey, Timothy Hutton all were there. They filmed all over post and it’s fun to see and recognize those places when I see the movie. But it doesn’t take growing up on army posts to become fiercely loyal to this country and to our flag and what it stands for. That’s so obvious when you hear speeches made by people like Evie and have an opportunity to participate in Flag Day and other patriotic celebrations throughout the year while growing up.
On Veterans Day November 11, as a nation, we honor and thank all those that have served in the United States Armed Forces. I want to add my thanks and gratitude to all of you that have served.
God Bless America
Cheryl Larson Dakin

 

 

 

It was a number one hit in Dunseith as well, SSG, Barry Sadler sang the Green Berets song. The first and only Green Beret I ever knew was Jackie Spath from Dunseith, he was home in his Green Beret Uniform Driving a Jaguar XKE, Blue I think. His parents lived across from where city hall is now.

 

 

 

 

Gary and Friends,

Lately we have been talking about patriotism and the seeming lack of it in our younger generation. During the Vietnam War, I was at the draft age and wasn’t that convinced we were doing the right thing with the ‘limited’ engagement strategy. This says nothing about how much I appreciate the sacrifices made by our soldiers during their time there. They did what their country asked them to do and should be honored as heroes. I wasn’t drafted because my lottery number was 187 and they ended at 185, inclusive, in ’69. There was no question of whether or not I would have gone–if chosen, I was in. The feeling was quite different for me a few years later when the Iranians took our embassy employees hostage in Tehran. I was ready and willing to go without hesitation. I think every red blooded American felt the same. No one has a right to do something like this to any American anywhere. We are in it together. My father-in-law said the same thing about WW II. We didn’t really want to get involved with the war until the Japanese hit Pearl Harbor. He went with some buddies to Minot to enlist and had to stand in line on the sidewalk! When the good old USA is threatened, you’d be surprised how many patriots are out there in the general public. My own perspective is that there should never be a ‘limited’ engagement. Either don’t do it or DO it! My humble opinion. Thanks Gary!

Dick

 

 

 

 

Hi Gary,

Grandma Evelyn Gottbreht left for Seattle, WA early 1942. She stopped to see the Dale Gottbreht family in Emerado and left Shirley, age 11, in the care of Arla. Shirley spent the next year and a half at St John’s Academy in Fargo, ND. Holidays and summer were spent with Arla in Grand Forks or friends in Dunseith. She dreaded going back to this school and became sick with grief for Evelyn. Grandpa George took care of this; he sent her by troop train from Rugby to Seattle. Some soldier gave her his seat and sat on his luggage. Shirley told me about 2002 that it was a happy wonderful trip. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in the Seattle area about five years later.

In Seattle, Evelyn applied for service with the Army Corp of Engineers and was rejected because of age and size. The Women’s Army Corp were happy to put her to work. Shirley said “It was all nuts and bolts, and she was gone a lot.” She did do WAC canteen service but also traveled to Alaska with tank shipments. Her small build was an advantage for tank inspection. She gloried in the one visit of Ernie Pyle to the harbor and bragged of meeting “Black Jack” Pershing on a rare visit.

The group picture is of Dale holding George, Alma hid by Shirley, EJ and Sharron.

Still searching for Grams song. Thanks Gary. Sharron

 

 

 

 

 

Grandma Evelyn Gottbreht

 

 

 

 

 

Raymond Gillies Funeral program

 

From Sharron Gottbreht Shen

 

 

Hello Gary,

My Aunt Flore Vandal Casavant kept many memorial cards of former Dunseith, Thorne, Rolette and Willow City friends. Although familiar with the Gillies name, I cannot now recall Raymond. His funeral service was at St. Louis Churach and full Military Honors at St. Anthony Cemetery. Perhaps someone would share his story.

Sharron

 

Sharron, I see some familiar names on this program. I’ll bet someone knows some of the history of Raymond. I see Dwight Lang was the Bugler too.

 

 

Dwight, you were a pretty popular Bugler in those days.

 

 

I also see Eben Arends name listed too. I believe he was a brother to Irene (Norman) Hiatt. Jennings and Harem were also brothers to Irene (Norman) Hiatt. They were killed when their pickup went off the road into a creek in July 1955. As I remember, this happened on the Gardena Road south of Bottineau. Folks, please correct me if I’m wrong. I remember Harem well. He was married to Rosie. They lived on Bowers farm located on the east side of the Willow lake road one mile south of highway 43. Does anyone know what ever happened to Rosie? Is she still living? Gary