11/14/2010

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Folks,
 
When I had yesterday’s blog ready to send we had a power failure. I thought I had everything saved, only to discover after I had sent it out that I did not. I went back and retrieved what I remembered got lost for today’s message. I’m hoping I did not miss any. As I’ve said before, If what you send me is not posted or if I have not replied to you, then I have not received it or it has gotten lost.
 
This morning when I got up my 22″ monitor was on the blink, so I’m adjusting to a much smaller one until I get the other one fixed.
 
Gary
 
 
 
Reply from Bob Lykins (Teacher): Hutto, TX

Gary,

 

In reference to your’s and Mr. Danielson’s typing skills; somewhere, in the stack of boxes in my closet, I still have my grade books from my classes in Dunseith. I don’t know why I kept them. Maybe I thought they might be worth something some day. You know, like, “Send me 20 bucks or I’ll show your kids your high school grades.” If you wish I guess I could research your grades. Thanks for the nice words, Gary. It always makes an old teacher feel good to know what s/he tried to do was/is appreciated.

 

Bob

Bob, For my part you certainly don’t need to dig those records out. I’ll let the others speak for themselves. I think my 52 words per minute was about average. I have gotten so spoiled with the ease of correcting mistakes with the computer. It would take a lot of discipline to go back to the typewriters. Gary

 

Tribute to the American flag

Link provided by Tim Martinson (69): Anchorage, AK

 

 
Tim, It’s great hearing from you. We miss all those nice stories. Gary

 

 

 

Draft, Armed Forces, careers

Reply from Keith Pladson (66): Stafford, VA

It is so interesting to hear the stories of others of the community who either did or did not serve in our Armed Forces, and what circumstances took place that effected whether they did or did not serve. Over the course of my life I’ve often reflected back on the ironic situation in my own family. Of six brothers (actually seven, but one, David, died very young), only one ever served. The oldest two and two of my younger ones each had some kind of medical condition that disqualified them for the draft, and the draft was abolished before the very youngest was old enough. In my case I had had rheumatic fever when I was 15 and as a result had a permanent heart murmur. I also took penicillin shots every month thereafter to be protected against future infections. However, after high school, I decided (rather foolishly) that I no longer needed those shots and quite going to the doctor. In any case, when I was notified to go down for my draft physical, I was certain that with my medical history and heart condition (and especially because of the medical conditions that disqualified my two older brothers) I would absolutely not qualify. Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong — I was classified 1A, and as I’ve mentioned previously in this blog, did serve two years in the US Army.

In hind sight, I am glad I served and I know I gained much more from the experience than it cost me. I’ve always believed that there are two ways to gain an education in your life; by taking formal classes and by the broadening aspects of travel and meeting new people. In the two years I spent in the Army, I met other troops from just about every state, and was exposed to many view points and ideas that in some cases were diametrically different than mine. Though these new ideas and view points did effect my perceptions of the Viet Nam war, they did not change my feelings of patriotism and, in deed, the pride I took in wearing the uniform.

After my discharge from the Army, I chose to stay in the Washington DC area and to work for the Federal Government as a civilian employee. I spent well over 30 years in a civilian capacity and all of it with Department of Defense organizations. I continued to meet new people wearing the various uniforms of the Military (Army, Navy, etc) and became close friends with many of them. I am a big supporter of a strong military (though not always the decisions by the civilians in charge on how/where/when to use them) and have nothing but respect for what they do for us as a nation.

So on this Veterans Day, I salute all former and current US Military members and thank all of you for what you did and are still doing today.

Thank you Gary,

Keith Pladson (66)

Keith, What a great letter? So well written. Gary

 

 

Selective Service Lottery History

Link provided by Bill Grimme (65): Birmingham, AL.

 

Gary,

 

Here is a link to a short history of the draft lottery. Folks can look up their number, if they forgot it, by checking the appropriate results link on the page.

 

Bill

 

 
 
 
Teaching the National Anthem in School
From Neola Kofoid Garbe: neolag@min.midco.net Minot & Bottineau, ND
 

Hi Everyone,

 

This is a great video. There are actually 5 verses to our Nation Anthem. I taught my students (third and fourth graders (in Minot) the first verse and the fourth verse. Naturally, they didn’t understand exactly what they were singing and what it meant–even thought we discussed. My hope was they learned it well enough so it would be familiar when they were older and could comprehend it. The marine in this video sings the four verse; he does a FANTASTIC job. ng

 

 
 
 
 
Evelyn Gottbreht picture
Reply from Sharron Gottbreht Shen (59): sharron_shen@msn.com Everett, WA
 
The picture Mark refers to was printed in a TMS issue, perhaps about 1930.. Perhaps Evelyn let them use her original. I do not remember it at her home and know that numerous heirloom photos were lost in the Grand Forks flood at Arla Gottbreht Hendricksons many years ago now. My cousins in Sandpoint promised a copy of the item; still waiting. If I had the date, I’m sure the staff in Rolla would send a copy. One of those threads I’ve failed to reel in. Thanks Mark and Gary, Sharron
 
 
 
 
 
Bugle Boy Dwight Lang
Reply/picture from Dwight Lang (61):

 

Here’s your Bugle Boy. The photo is stamped Mar 62, but that was when it was developed. I think the picture was taken more likely in 60 or 61. I was in the Army in 62 and 63.

 

I played the taps as the caskets were lowered in many Military Funeral processions for several years with the legion’s men. I see from the brochure where Raymond Gillies’ funeral was in April of 56. I would have been a ripe old man, 12 years of age. I was honored beyond measure to be a part of and be in the presence of Dunseith’s best. I was always touched by the solemn occasion and the sound of rifle shots from the firing squad. I tried my best to perform accordingly and to the best of my abilities.

 

But there was one ceremony that I’m afraid your Bugle Boy struggled. It was at the Ackworth Cemetery and my great uncle, Harry Hiatt, had passed away. Uncle Harry was loved by all his great nieces and nephews. Of course my thoughts were on my Uncle Harry especially as his casket was lowered. It was time for me to play. The tears in my eyes were no problem, but the lump in my throat made breathing control difficult at best. A very choked up version of the taps emitted from the bugle. That was one day this Bugle Boy will never, ever forget. I’m sure my Uncle Harry has forgiven me for that sorry performance. I know the Legionnaires did. They understood.

 

 

 

 

 

Harmen Hiatt Family siblings picture

 

Dwight,

 

This is a picture of all of your great uncles and aunt on your mother, Charlotte Hiatt Lang’s, side of the family. John, standing back right, was your Granddad.

 

Folks, take note how much Norman Hiatt resembled his uncle Amos standing in the back left of this picture. Willie, seated in front, was Norman’s dad.

 

Many and I mean a whole lot of you readers are direct decedents of the folks pictured in this photo.

 

I remember well when Harry died. He lived in a log cabin several miles north of us very close to the Canadian border. Harry died at the age of 52 in October 1955. Jim Hiatt (67) was with Harry at his place when he died. Jim would have been 6 years old at the time. Elwood Fauske was doing some brushing close by in the area. Jim went out and flagged him down to tell him Harry had collapsed in the Pump house. You know, Elwood told me the story again this past spring when I saw him and I think this is what I remember him saying. Elwood said when they went back to the buildings, Harry was already gone. Harry used to drive by our place everyday in his pickup on his way to Margie and Willie’s.

 

After Harry’s death, Stanley & Alex Gilje along with their nephew, Carl Myhre from Rolette bought his farm. Stanley & Alex are both gone now, but Carl still owns the farm today. Carl is the banker in Rolette. When I called Carl a year or so ago he told me he is semi retired. He said he still has an office in the bank and comes and goes incognito.

 

Gary

 

 

The first four generations of the Harmon Hiatt family tree