Reply to Vietnam picture posted yesterday
From Dr. Gary Wall:  Bottineau, ND

Gary Stokes,

I can not tell you how proud I am to have served our County and with you in Vietnam.

That war left us, as most wars, with scars that today still linger.  Although we were not wounded our Mothers and others prayed for our safe return.  God Bless our Mothers.

We were fortunate to have met that year in Vietnam and I will never forget it.  This tall lanky guy(Gary Stokes) asks me “Captain where are you from” and I responded, “you would not know where but I am from North Dakota.”  “Where” was the next question?   “Bottineau” and Gary Stokes said “I am from Dunseith” and the rest is history.  SMALL WORLD!!  Gary you can elaborate if you would like please.

There are a lot of things that I cherish and that is our meeting in Vietnam and our service to our Country and the friendship we enjoy that came forth from it.

Your Comrade and Friend

Gary R. Wall

Gary W,

The chances of us meeting and being in the same Dental Clinic in Vietnam were very slim to none. With the Bottineau/Dunseith communities being small, I had heard of and knew who you were, but we had never met until that day in Vietnam. It was July 1969.  We were together 6 months in Cam Ranh Bay before you DROS’d back to the states and I was transferred to Chi Lai. Of course we know lots and lots of common folks too. It was so nice having you there to talk and visit with in this war torn country. Our folks/your mother also knew each other. With us being in Vietnam together their bonding became quite strong too. Following our army days, I saw your mother with each of my visits back to Bottineau. She was so friendly and nice.

I too am very glad to have served our country with you in Vietnam. We have had a lasting strong special friendship the last 45 years too. Hopefully we will see you next summer. With the DHS Class of 65 fiftieth reunion, we have tentative plans of being there. With Bernadette’s health issues, it may only be me going.

Gary S

 

Reply to Vietnam picture posted yesterday
From Don Aird:  St. Louis, MO.

You guys didn’t have the jungle boots?  I thought everyone wore them.

Don,

Those are jungle boots we are wearing. In the picture they look like solid leather though. We were all issued two pare in Oakland before going to Vietnam.

Gary

 

Norway Trip
Posting from Dick Johnson (’68):  Dunseith, ND

Gary and Friends,

In Norway,  the areas of Veldre/Brumunddal/Hamar,  where my Grandpa Hans Johnson came from, have one thing in common that the people are very proud of.  It is that they are all on the east side and very close to Norway’s largest fresh water lake,  Lake Mjosa (Me-o-sa).  It is a very beautiful lake and is crystal clear.  We took a few pictures of the lake to show how nice it is. I have always also had a thing for old wooden boats and I took a few pictures of some that were docked at Hamar so will send a couple of those pictures also.  Thanks Gary!

Dick

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Blog (150) posted on July 4, 2008

 

7/3/2008: Richard Slyter has Heart attack
Message from Bobbie Slyter:

Gary, Please have every one pray for my brother richard as he had a heart attack last night and was medivaced to trinity hosp in minot where they inserted a stint to get the blockage out, at this point he is doing o.k. and will let you know more when i know more, thanks for all that you do for us gary JUST LITTLE OLE  ME FROM KANSAS

Bobbie,

Please keep us posted with Richard’s condition.  We are so sorry to hear that he had this heart attack.  It has to be rough on Ely and the rest of you family members as well. As you well know, there are a lot of your family relatives on this distribution. One heck of a lot of us remember you guys well, from our school days too.

Richard is in our prayers,

Gary

Update on Richard Slyter (67) From Bobbie Slyter (70):  He is doing o.k. They have moved him out of ICU and into a regular room, talked to him this a.m. and he sounds good.

From Sharon Longie Dana (73):

For Bobbie Slyter and Family,  Don’t know if you remember me but in high school I was good friends with both Donna and Debbie. Will definetly keep ALL of you in my prayers.   From Susan Fassett Martin (65):  So sorry to hear of Richard’s heart attack.  I will add him to my prayer list.  It is so traumatic to have someone close to you in ill health.  My husband just broke his leg last week and l thought that was traumatic, so can only imagine what a heart problem is like.  Prayers to all his family.   Hugs,  Susan From Bev Morinville Azure (72):  Ele  ,  OH  Ele  I am so sorry to hear about  Richard Please   know  we  are   praying  for  you all. I  will see Jason this  Friday and  will let him  know. If  u  need anything  please  call  and  let  me  know.  Tell Richard  hello and   I am sure  everything  wil  be  fine.  Bev and  Clarence  Azure Folks, I really screwed up yesterday when I misread Richard for Pritchard in that news paper photo that Susan Fassett sent.  When I saw the name Floyd, Richard rhymes with Pritchard, and I read it as Pritchard.  I need to be more careful. Gary From Bill Hosmer (48):  To Gary and Rolette County Friends.   The newspaper article shows a picture of Floyd RICHARD and his bride instead of Floyd PRITCHARD. Probably there will be alot of comments on this.   Another observation of note is the fact that there is a broadening of interest in this medium to include the whole county, and tribal members along with those of us who attended the school in town.  That enriches the whole dialogue and illuminates a thicker slice of history that fascinates all of us, whatever years that we were growing up in the community. On another point of interest to me after visiting with Wayne Smith recently.  He and many of the “farm kids” did not have a lot of the memories us town kids have because those living in the country had work to do with crops, live stock, daily chores, and projects which made our agriculture the prime activity and the economic power of many small rural community centers around the state.  In town we had time for after school fun time with one another in marbles, sports, hiking, etc while farm kids went from school to work and back, and often could not afford time for the luxury of sports, clubs, scouting, and so forth.  I know that during  the forties I helped harvest, and discovered what farm life was really about. Others may have some thoughts on this, but both of these elements are significant and give substance to our mutual interest in our individual and collective histories, and in my case, a deep appreciation for what many of my new friends did that was different from what I did. That’s the beauty of diversity From Allen Richard (65):  The couple in the wedding photo is Floyd and Carmen Richard. From Dick Johnson (68):  Gary And Friends, The pictures from Susan’s scrapbook are sure interesting, but they also were confusing to me. The one with the fisherman and his twelve pound fish, says ‘Marlin Hiatt’ and as far I as I know there wasn’t a ‘Marlin’. It looks more like Wally or Eldon to me. It could possibly be Marlin Williams, a cousin. If you look closely at the wedding picture, I think it is Floyd and Carmen Richard’s wedding.It does look like Floyd too. I remember the day the elevator burned. I was only two or three years old, but I can still see it in my mind. Mom said that I stood in the middle of the car seat and watched and that I was so scared that my knees were shaking! I personally don’t remember that part, just the tremendous fire! It was in 1952 or 1953, I believe.Thanks to Susan for the pictures and to Gary for posting! Dick Reply from Ivy Eller Robert (74):

Gary……I was sure that my sister Bonnie who died in Oct of 2006, Told me that Esther had passed away a few years earlier. Bonnie lived all of her life in Dunseith, so I believed her, since I have not since 1976.
Esther, Carl & Cindy & your family…….. I’m so very sorry for my mistake! I send my love to you for the misunderstanding……I haven’t seen you since, I think it was Cindy’s wedding. I remember asking Bonnie several years ago about you Esther, She probably though I meant someone else. I would love dearly to see you, Carl & Cindy. I will be passing through Dunseith in September, my son Jonathan is getting married in Wahpeton on the 13th. I’ll be stopping in Bottineau for a few days with Julie before we continue on to the wedding. I will try to stop by to say Hi…….
Sorry once again for the misunderstanding on my part……..
Ivy (Eller) Robert

 

Ivy, We all make boo boo’s every so often and there is always some good that comes out of them.  I have sure made my share of screw ups too and yesterday’s message was a prime example.  These screw ups get folks attention and in the process generates activity from folks that sometimes are a little reserved in replying.  I encourage folks to reply, right or wrong.  That’s what gets the ball rolling with the interaction that we have.  Gary
Picture/message from Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Hi Gary,

This is either Edward Houle, or Edward Houle ordered the pictures.  I hope it is Edward–I think it’s a “classy” picture. There are six 5 x 7’s in paper frames.

I need a name/address, or email address, to contact about these pictures.  Be sure to include the name Eddie Houle.  I sometimes get the info and which picture it pertains to, confused.

Thanks to those who have sent names/addresses for the pictures.  I’m printing the info/putting it with the picture so I have them together.  Again, thanks for the emails that contain information for the pictures. I /appreciate/enjoy receiving them.

On Saturday, I’m going to Kramer for the “big bash” (My husband, Wally, is from Kramer–he’s coming from Minot.  I taught in Kramer 1961-1963.) and then to Minot.  I won’t be taking any pictures to Minot, so maybe I’ll get caught up with pictures/addresses.

Thanks, Gary.

Neola

Do any of you folks recognize this guy?


Alva Azure Gladue’s (75) reply to Neola Kofoid Garbe: 

Hi Gary,

Thanks to Alva Gladue, we now know this cutie is Mandy Davis.  I’m glad we know, as it would be a shame to not get her pictures to her. The next time I go to the courthouse, I’ll look for more pictures of her.

I appreciate everyone being so helpful in identifying the people in the pictures I send and also the contact information.  You’ve probably guessed I have a passion for pictures.

Neola

Here’s Alva’s email: The little girl in your pictures is Mandy Davis.  Her mother is Lori

Parisien Davis married to Curtis Timmy Davis  of Dunseith.  Mandy lives in
Dunseith. Her parent’s phone number is 244-5897.  Hope this helps.

                                     Mandy Davis

From Tim Martinson (69): 

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Happy 4th of July For those of us who tend to forget how hard it was to HAVE our constitution….this may bring back a tad of history we all forget from time to time.  We surely have a lot at stake right now!!! 4TH OF JULY Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence ? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.  He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.  He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding.  His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.  He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire.  The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.  The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste.  For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn’t. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.  It’s not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free! I hope you will show your support by sharing this with your family & friends. It’s time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games