Rolette county War Hero’s
Message from Vickie Metcalfe (70): Bottineau, ND
Hello Gary,
During WW II, My father, watched through binoculars from the USS Hamilin, as American marines placed the flag at Iwo Jima. It was my Dad who first told me about Ira Hayes, a man he never met but as an American serviceman, understood his struggle returning to civilian life.
This past summer while researching family genealogy I got side tracked into the County Veterans Office.
I asked the Veterans officer to look into his big book, which lists WW II Veterans, for our family friend, Alcide Lajimodiere. We did find the minimum amount of information. The Veterans officer said,there are many many,men of American Indian heritage from Rolette County,who served our country.
Yesterday, reading the Minot Daily on line, I just happened to run across that article about J.Belgarde.
The same author also wrote, “The Man Called Chief” the Woody Keeble story,another ND veteran who was Sioux, finally awarded the medal of honor, posthumously. I first became aware of Mr. Keeble’s story while listening to North Dakota Public Radio. That story kept me glued to my car radio while sitting in my driveway,(the only place I can get “Prairie Public Radio).
Now, I’m hopeful Prairie Public will do something similar on this author and the story of J.Belgarde.
It is also my hope as citizens, we continue to respect our serviceman. We may never know their personal stories but they were/ are among the best of us.
Thank you Gary for being one of the best in continuing to serve whether on this blog or in your little community in Cebu.
Vickie
John Belgarde, Korean War Hero, is Warren Anderson’s (65) uncle
Message from Warren Anderson (65): Rolette, ND
Merry Christmas and joyful holidays Gary and Bernadette. And to all the listening family of the great Dunseith Blog. The time for gratitude, yes we have it for the spiritual gifts and for this blog, Thank You–Gary!
I had a tear full expierence last night here in Bismarck that I would like to share. My wife and I are in Bismarck over xmas as we have a new granddaughter with Cora’s sons family. We went to xmas eve mass at St.Marys Catholic Church. Anyway, the carol “Silent Night” was song in half German and it was so powerful as it touched me. Just knowing how powerful the song was in its history. In WW-1 and WW-2 many battles stopped on the German Front and both sides sang Silent Night to each other. Then my own Xmas in Viet Nam where we also sang Silent Night about three times. But my thoughts then were, will I ever have another chistmas with my parents and siblings. It is amasing the fear of that night, for 41 years had stayed hiding.
My years of helping veterns never ends.— that includes myself. My uncle John Belgardes Book about his War in Korea–hope you all get a chance to read it. I joked with my wife that I already knew half the book as Uncle John and spoke to each other about our Wars–course arguing who had it the worst expierence. No douht in my heart he did. Merry Christmas everyone
Warren !65
Warren, I’m assuming John Belgarde is a brother to your mother. This article does not mention where John is living today. Does he have email? He is to be commended. John is an unsung hero. Why has it taken this long for him to be recognized? Gary
Posted by Neola Kofoid Garbe: Bottineau & Minot, ND
Ackworth Schoolhouse Building/ Taken 12/25/2010
Picture from Evon Lagerquist (77): Dunseith, ND
Thank you Evon for sharing this picture.
Many of our readers attended Ackworth including our parents. In 1981 the school was moved from it’s original location to the sight of the former Ackworth post office. Albert Hiatt owned this land then. I’m thinking your family now owns this property? Albert was your mothers brother.
Things are white up in the hills. It looks as though it may have been snowing when you took this picture yesterday too.
Gary
