Veterans Day Salute - 2013

DE MEDia pUBLiCaTaTa iON

WWII Veterans celebrate 67 years of Marriage

authentic Photos from area residents

How to honor a veteran

meaning of the Poppy

Veterans Day salute 3

table of Contents

Also inside...

8GivinG TribuTeFive ways you can do your part to honor veterans.

MiliTary ScrapbookCreative way to showcase amilitary tour or career.

John Reid Stiles, Sr.Civil War 1842-1909

7th Illinois Cavalry Company “D”

FeATURe sToRY

WWii veTeranS celebraTe 67 yearS of MarriaGeLocal couple, Roger and Phyllis Harrison found love in a time of crisis and tell the story of their union and what has kept them bonded throughout the years.

4SiGnificance of 11On Nov. 11, we pause and give tribute to our soldiers. Find out the reasons why and the history behind this special date not just in the U.S., but other countries as well.

6poppieS - a unifyinG SyMbolAll was thought to be destroyed.Miraculously, the poppy began to grow in place of the muddied battle-field, giving hope and tribute to the lives lost there.

10phoTo SaluTeSAuthentic photos sent in from area residents to honor their military loved ones. Our most vintage entry (below) is John Reid Stiles Sr.

16

Roger and Phyllis Harrison

Veterans Day salute4

Throughout history, millions of soldiers have marched into wars to protect the freedoms of their countries. Remembrance Day is a solemn time to commemorate those soldiers’ achievements and sacrifices and to pay re-spects to soldiers who died in battle.

In the United States, people honor their present and past military on Veterans Day. In British commonwealth countries and territories, including Canada, Nov. 11 is known as Remembrance Day. Since the end of World War I, memorials to remem-ber those of the armed forces who fought in battle and perished in the line of duty have been dedicated on this day.

Armistice Day OriginsRemembrance Day was once known as Armistice Day because it marks the sign-

ing of the armistice that put an end to the hostilities of World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, guns fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare between the Germans and Allied troops. The armi-stice agreement was signed in a French train carriage at 11 a.m. Later, the carriage where the historic event took place was placed in a specially constructed building to serve as a monument to the defeat of Germany. Although it was moved by German forces and later destroyed during World War II, after that war ended a replacement carriage, correct in every detail, was rededicated on Armistice Day in 1950.

Remembrance Day EvolutionArmistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day after World War II to commemo-

rate soldiers from both world wars. It is now used as a way to pay homage to any fallen soldier.

Each year a national ceremony takes place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, a monument erected as a memorial to soldiers buried elsewhere. The Queen will lay the first wreath at the Cenotaph, while others will leave wreaths and small wooden crosses.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month guns fell silent...

Army, World War IIDeceased: November 12, 2011

Gerald Hoefs

Army, 1943-1951Deceased: July, 2013

frank olson

Herbert karsten

Lt., Air ForceWorld War II

signifiCanCe of 11


Navy, World War II

donald f. letendre

Air Force

earl d. JoHnson

Army, Vietnam

tHomas niskanen

Army

david niskanen

Navy, World War II

luverne d. letendre

Air ForceDeceased: June 16, 2012

timotHy l. JoHnson

Army, KoreaDeceased: September 28, 2002

Jack niskanen

Army, World War IDeceased: November 29,1990

auGust niskanen

A Unifying SymbolThe poppy became a symbol for a specific reason. Some of the most

concentrated and bloody fighting of World War I took place in Flanders, a region in western Belgium. As a result of the fighting, most signs of natural life had been obliterated from the region, leaving behind mud and not much else. The only living thing to survive was the poppy flow-er, which bloomed with the coming of the warm weather the year after fighting in the region had ceased. Poppies grow in disturbed soil and can lie dormant in the ground without germinating. Without the war, they may have never come to the surface.

John McCrae, a doctor serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, was moved by the vision of poppies flowering in Flanders and wrote a poem titled “In Flanders Fields.” After the poem was published, it received international acclaim, and the poppy became a popular symbol of those lost in battle.

Men traditionally wear the poppy on the left side of the chest, where a military medal would be placed. Women wear it on the right side be-cause that is where a widow would wear her husband’s medals.

Remembrance Day is celebrated every year, providing people hum-bled by the sacrifices of soldiers an opportunity to remember those sol-diers’ efforts to secure freedom.

A Unifying Symbol

PoppiesOne of the

unifying

symbols of Remembrance

Day is the poppy which is

worn to honor lost soldiers.

The bold, red color of the

flower has become an

enduring symbol of those

who died so that others

may be free.

A field of poppies has come to symbolize the soldiers who lost

their lives while fighting in battle.



Army, World War I • 1917-1918Deceased: August 2, 1990

ricHard rezanka

Air Force, World War II • 1943-1945Deceased: March 23, 1992

ricHard b. rezanka

Medic, Army • 1942-1946 Deceased: October 21,1955

oliver ness

serGeant maJor, Army WWII, Korea, Vietnam • 1943-1965

Deceased: January 13, 2012

Glen l bloomstrom sr

Marine, Korea1930-2000

tHomas r. HeGstad

PFC, Army, Korea 1953-1955

raymond olson

Army, Vietnam

Patrick G. maranda

S SGT AAFWorld War II, 1922

Deceased: 2009

raymond Holmes


1. offer your gratitudeServing in the military can feel like a thankless job, as those who have not served

might not be aware of the risks men and women in the military take and the sacrifices they must make to protect our country and help the less fortunate across the globe. As a result, something as simple as saying “Thank you” to a current service member or military veteran can go a long way. Veterans know they don’t serve in vain, but it’s still a great idea to let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and sacrifices.

2. Spread supportBe sure to thank businesses who support veterans. Many businesses show their grati-

tude to veterans by offering them free services on Veterans Day. When a local business shows its appreciation to veterans, patronize that business and let them know you appreci-ate their efforts to help.

tributeGivingtributeGivingtribute

Five ways you can make a service member feel appreciated.

Veterans Day is an annual holiday when veterans of the armed forces are hon-ored and celebrated in the United States. Many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day. While both days honor members of the armed forces, there’s a distinction between the two holidays. Memorial Day, which is cel-

ebrated in May, is a day designated for remembering servicemen and servicewomen who died while serving. Veterans Day, which is observed in November, honors all military veterans.

The role of the brave men and women who serve in the military is an important one, and it’s one that warrants appreciation and celebration. The following are a few easy ways to celebrate veterans and their significant contribution to our country this Veterans Day.

ralPH ketcHer

Army, World War II1939-1941

Paul QuastArmy, Korea

1950-1953

Army, Korea1952-1954

Deceased: January 8, 1995

leroy sieGel

Giving


3. visit the injuredUnfortunately, many veterans are hospitalized after suffering an injury during a tour of duty. These veterans sacrificed their physical well-being to protect our way of life, and many spend

extended periods of time in the hospital. Visiting a hospital to get to know a veteran and spend some time with him or her, sharing a few laughs and thanking them for their service, is a great way to celebrate the holiday and lift a veteran’s spirits at the same time.

Recruit friends and family members to visit hospitalized veterans as well.

4. help their families Many service members are currently stationed and serving over-

seas, and their families back home may need or just appreciate a helping hand. Invite family members of active military over for din-ner, offer to do chores like cutting the grass or shoveling the drive-way when it snows or help around the house if something needs fixing. Even if families of active members serving overseas appear to be getting along great, offer your friendship and let them know you’re there to help should anything arise.

5. Send them out Like many people, veterans appreciate an escape from the daily

grind. Men and women who want to show their appreciation to vet-erans can treat a veteran to a night out on the town. Have extra tickets to a ballgame or play? Donate them to a local VFW. Or if you see a veteran out on the town, offer to pay for his meal.

9

Both brothers served in the Army

during Vietnam. Dennis Lemm

(Left), and Robert Lemm. Robert

passed away May 27, 2007.


Outside their home on Gull Lake. Both World War II veterans, Roger and Phyllis Harrison met in 1945 while on duty in the Navy.

WWII Veterans

By JESSICA LARSEN

oger Harrison woke up to a beautiful woman laughing at him. The whole room was laughing at him.

It was 1945 and Roger, a Navy pilot, vol-unteered for a training in a lower pressure chamber at a naval air base in Grosse Ile, Mich. The task was simple: see how long you can last holding your breath and tie a knot at the same time.

Roger lasted mere seconds before pass-ing out. The comedic relief came as the out-

of-it pilot’s hands kept moving in a circular motion with the rope, never quite forming the knot.

As Roger came to, he saw Phyllis, a young, beautiful chamber technician. There was an instant connection for the strangers. And today, the World War II veterans have been married for 67 years.

r


WWII Veterans

Celebrate 67 years of

Marriage

Roger Harrison, Graduation photo.

He was drawn in to Phyllis’ smile, her charm. And, as he

pointed out to a friend on base, her nice legs.

Phyllis (Hines) Harrison, 1944.Looking back, Phyllis says it was Roger’s good looks and height that drew her in. His being a pilot was an added bonus.


It was the time serving in the war, the couple say, that helped grow their marriage. That, and a lot of experience, which comes with age. He’s 91 and she is 90.

The Harrisons have chance, and a lot of it, to thank for their romance.

It started with each enlisting in the Navy.Roger was first in 1942. The Hornick, Iowa native followed suit of his fellow friends, joining the Navy because it was the popu-lar thing to do.

“We couldn’t wait to get in,” he said.

Roger wanted adventure.A then 20-year-old Phyllis signed on a

year after in her hometown of Cumberland, Wis., at the request of her friends.

“All the guys left and I couldn’t date any-one, so why not,” Phyllis joked.

Phyllis ended up going alone, though, af-ter her friends didn’t pass the physical test. She joined in on the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, or WAVES as it’s more commonly referred to.

It would be two years before the pair

would see each other. First, Roger caught a glimpse of Phyllis in the chow line. Next, he saw her stroll across the base. Finally, Phyllis stood above him, giggling at Rog-er’s failed attempt to hold his breath long enough.

The next day, Roger finally pulled in enough courage to ask her on a date.

The bad news: She already had a date that night.

The good news: She was willing to have a late night cup of coffee with Roger after.

Pilots and crew, 1944 Miami, Florida. Roger is in the back row, second from left.

Roger and Phyllis Harrison on Christmas Eve, 2007.

Each pilot had their own plane with their name printed on the side of it.

“We still like each other...You have to like who you are with. We enjoy each other.” ~ Phyllis Harrison

Christmas Eve, 2007.


Phyllis never did call. Her date went too late. About to ship out, Roger exchanged addresses with her instead.

They wrote back and forth until each were discharged a few days apart in Janu-ary 1946. On Jan. 28, the couple met at the Minneapolis, Minn., bus depot for their first date.

After dinner, Phyllis was scheduled to ride the bus back home to Cumberland. She invited Roger to hop on the bus as well.

“I ended up meeting her folks on the first date,” Roger chuckled.

He added, “I was looking for adventure anyway.”

By March that year, the young couple was engaged. On Sept. 1, they said “I do.”

In their civilian lives, Roger worked in radio and television, and Phyllis stayed at

home to raise six children.Today, they have 11 grandchildren and

live on Gull Lake.Looking back, Phyllis says it was Roger’s

good looks and height that drew her in. His being a pilot was an added bonus.

“I’m still good looking. Age has nothing to do with it,” Roger joked.

And although is was Phyllis laughing the hardest many decades ago when Roger fainted, he was drawn in to her smile, her charm. And, as he pointed out to a friend on base, her nice legs.

They say their marriage lasted this long, in part, because their time in the war gave them things to talk about still to this day. It also made them each grow up quickly and mature. Pair that with raising six kids to-gether and it’s a happy marriage.

Sure, they still fight, Phyllis says, but that’s OK.

“We still like each other,” she said. “You have to like who you are with. We enjoy each other.”

That spark is still visible between Roger and Phyllis. He offers a smile. A sparkle in her eye, Phyllis returns the grin.

JESSICA LARSEN Jessica Larsen may be reached at [email protected] or 855-5859. Follow me on

Twitter at www.twitter.com/brainerdnews.


Army Air Corp. World War II, 1942-1945Deceased: March 11, 2003

ricHard cameron sr.

S Sgt, Airforce 1948-1953Deceased: July 11, 2008

ricHard d. taPPe

Army, World War II

les mason

Marines

robert J. lemm

Army, 1968-1970

clayton r. berG

CMDCM, Navy 25 years of service

Deceased: June 20, 2009

Jeffrey J. Garber

Army

steve rosenow

Navy, World War II

Paul Henry Gruber

Air Force, 1974-1978

karl reminGton

Army, 1951-1953

frank reminGton

Army, 37 yearsDeceased: January 15, 2013

duane w. kunde

Navy, 1946-1982

robert reminGton

Navy, 1976-1983

duane flateGraff

Army, World War II1942-1945

Deceased: September 20, 2006

elmer a. flateGraff

Army, Air Corp1942-1945

ken micko

Army, 1951-1953Deceased January 30, 2013

bill GraPHenteen


Army, World War II Deceased: August 16, 1968

maurice a. rundquist

Army, World War II Deceased: January 14, 1986

donald w. rundquist

Army, World War II Deceased: May 12, 1984

david s. rundquist

Army, 1952-1960Army 1952-1960curtiss krantz

Army, World War II

clarence s. carlson

Navy, World War II

nellie karsten

Army, World War IDeceased: April 12, 1981

francis l. Hayes


Army, Vietnam

neil “Jake” Jacobson

Air Force, 1974-1983

todd alan boelter

Spc, Army National Guard2009

Afghanistan

GeorGe w. cauley

1SG, Army

sHawn tHayer

There are so many creative ways for families to showcase and honor a vet-eran. Scrapbooks are a great way to share the life and experiences of a loved one. All it takes is a little research and some planning to design a scrapbook that can be gifted or kept for generations to enjoy.

Begin by making an outline of what you would like to cover in the scrapbook. Perhaps there is a specific event to highlight, like a military tour of duty. Maybe you would like to present different snapshots in time during their whole military career. Either way, planning out the content of the scrapbook will make it easier to gather the necessary elements.

Begin your research by interviewing the eventual recipient (he or she doesn’t have to know the reason behind the inquiry).

During the interview, take note of key dates and try to establish the mood of the era with supporting materials.

Gather photos, postcards or newspaper clippings from a correlating period in history that can be used to fluff up the content of the book.

Prints can be scanned and copied using scanner at home, or loaded onto a CD or jump drive and brought to a various photo kiosks like Walmart or Walgreens. Some specialty shops can even scan slides or convert stills from film into images. Make sure to make copies of all original prints and be careful not to lose or damage the originals.

Scrapbooks can be made manually with materials purchased anywhere from craft and hobby stores to stationery shops. There are a variety of paper-cutting tools,

Military Scrapbook

Photos: Courtesy of Marion Siegel


adhesives, stickers, labels, and stencils that can be used to en-hance the look of the scrapbook. You may opt to use software programs or online tools through photo-sharing sites that enable you to upload images and text and design photo books entirely online. The finished product can be printed out in a variety of fin-ishes. This method may actually be preferable for those who plan to save the scrapbook or anticipate others wanting to order their own copy.

Create a digital file of all of your information and copies of im-ages. This way if you ever want to add to the scrapbook or repro-duce information in the future you will have all of the information at your fingertips.


(L) Jerome Jurek, Minnesota, and Delbert Ball, Texas.Army, 2nd Battalion 280 MM Gun Artillery

Darmstadt, Germany - 1957

Navy, 1960-1980

robert f. erbe

Navy, 1960-1966

ken solom

NavyDeceased: September 24, 2013

quentin neri Hoskin

Navy 1944-1945

dale clifford monson

Navy, 1949-1971

david l. barker

Navy

bruce G. laPka

Navy, World War IIDeceased: September 24, 2002

euGene i. JoHnson

L CPL, Marines Okinawa, Japan

2011-present

James siPPer

Veterans Day Salute - 2013

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