Condolences to the Brennan family
From Kelly Woods (89): Massena, NY
Sad Sad news of Supan Brennan’s death. She was a wonderful mother and beautiful person both inside and out. She will be missed and remember for all times. Condolences to Bob and the entire Brennan Family.
Kelly Woods
Message from Alan Poitra (71): Bloomington, MN
Happy Holidays Gary! and thank you for the gift of organizing the Dunseith Blog!
My condolences to all the families who lost loved one this past couple of weeks and this past year.
Across the many miles
From Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Gary and friends,
Thanks for your gift of friendship.
Wishes;To all, “a new year full of hope, wonder, and joy!”
And to those who are filled with the pain of loss, grief and sorrow, “Much peace upon your heart.”
as ever, Vickie M
From Eileen & Mike Brudwick: Goodyear, AZ
Merry Christmas to you & your family Gary, and to everyone else!! Also wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, 2011!!!
Eileen & Mike Brudwick
Early Awalt history
From Lloyd Awalt (44): Bottineau, ND
Hi Gary, Reply to Dick about the Awalt’s. You are right I am the oldest. I never was in the house. Your granddad bought it min 24. My dad thought he was going to get the farm when him and mom got married but grandpa Awalt sold it and went back to Missouri, so dad & mom went along. Dad worked for Budweiser and did some carpenter work with an uncle. In 1929 when all the banks went broke mom & dad came back to north Dakota. Myself & Eleanor was both born in MO. We lived in Lude Peterson’s place that winter. In the spring we moved to Dunseith. Dad worked for Mr. Gottbreht at the dairy. In 1930 dad bought the dray from Ike Berg. We lived in Tom Cassidy house till dad built the house down by the depot in 1941. I kind of forgot about that building setting in Myron’s pasture. Wasn’t thinking that for north. Right at the corner where you turned to go to Bott. I don’t know when they tore it down. If the stories were right they used to sell grocery and buy cream at one time. That was before we came back . Marshall knows more about the old farm than I do .. Lloyd
Stone Church Date correction
From Dick Johnson (68): Dunseith, ND
Gary and Friends,
I have to apologize for an incorrect date on the building of the Stone Church. Lloyd is correct with the later date. The Masons decided to take over the completion of the building which was started in 1911 and was left unfinished for several years. I looked it up in the Dunseith History book and the 1918-1919 dates are much closer to correct. I should have looked it up first. Thanks Lloyd and Gary!
Dick
John P. Belgarde Book – Article from Minot Daily newspaper
Posted by Tim Martinson (69): Anchorage, AK
and Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
Belgarde recalls war
Dunseith man gives account as a young soldier in Korean War
December 24, 2010 – By ELOISE OGDEN Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com
DUNSEITH When John P. Belgarde went to Korea to serve in the Korean War he was quite certain he wouldn’t make it home alive, so he came up with three rules to live by:
1. I will do the best I can for as long as I can.
2. I will not surrender.
3. I will let nobody surrender me.
“An American Fighting Man” is the Korean War account of John P. Belgarde of Dunseith. The book is in his words. Merry Helm, a freelance researcher and writer in Fargo and native of Anamoose, edited and published the book.
“The book is about the burdens of having to teach himself how to lead troops and also how to preserve his and their souls because he soon recognized ‘the mind is a very fragile thing.’ ” said Helm.
After Col. Ralph M. Hockley, a Korean War combat veteran, read the book, Helm said he wrote:
“Few books are as much a study on how a kid becomes a man at age 19. Few books, including Army manuals, describe as well how to become a leader of soldiers, and few books are as much a description of the American kid who goes off to defend his country against all odds as John Belgarde’s ‘An American Fighting Man.'”
Helm said she had been working on a much larger book called “Prairie Boys at War” about Korean War military heroes from the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Montana, and needed to talk to someone from North Dakota who had gone through one of the most catastrophic battles of the war at Kunu-ri. A man from the 2nd Infantry Division contacted Belgarde about talking to her, she said.
When she called Belgarde, he talked to her about that battle as well as his entire nine months over there, she said.
“The story was so compelling, I decided he needed a book of his own. Casualties were so high during his tour that he kept getting bumped up in rank from a private all the way to master sergeant leading his own platoon very unusual,” she said.
Helm’s other works include “The Man Called Chief,” the story of Master Sgt. Woodrow “Woody” Wilson Keeble. Keeble was the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor that a president can bestow. The medal was presented posthumously in 2008. Keeble was a World War I and Korean War veteran.
Like “The Man Called Chief,” Helm said the book about Belgarde, “An American Fighting Man,” is carried in independent bookstores.
Hi Gary,
I could not find another site that the book “An American Fighting
Man” is for sale at unless it is for sale in Dunseith?
Take Care, Tim
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/an-american-fighting-man/13509064
Christmas in the Philippines
These are a few pictures that were taken yesterday (Christmas Eve)
These three boys father, Noel, was buried on Thursday, the day before this picture was taken.Noel was only 31 years old.
These gifts (Robots) were given to them by their adopted Dunseith Alumni sponsor. Their sponsor had sent money for Christmas gifts prior to their dad’s passing. We thought it best to follow thru with the gifts rather than using the money for funeral expenses. I know for a fact that these are the first store bought toys these boys have ever had. They live in a make shift hut with a dirt floor behind the building across the road from our garage. The oldest boy’s birthday was yesterday too. He was 10. The other two are ages 5 & 6.
These kids are cousins to Noel’s boys pictured above. Bernadette always gives them a little something at Christmas too. Their father and Noel were brothers. They live in a small house across the street from our Garage. The oldest girl in this picture is about 13 years old. For lack of funds and also to help work, she has dropped out of school. She is a very bright gal too.
Bernadette’s nieces little girl. She was born in July. Her father is from India.
Bernadette’s Great nieces, nephews and our helpers children waiting outside for their Christmas gifts.
These same kids lined up inside to get their gifts. There are 20 kids in all, but only 12 in this photo. The other 8 are two years old and younger.
The children’s gifts
Gaga and Tata (sisters) our helpers, making the bed in our new bedroom
