The Sky Is Cryin' 09-11-09

The sky is cryin....can't you see the tears roll down the street

The sky is cryin....can't you see the tears roll down the street

I've been looking for my baby, And I wonder where can he be

September 11,2009 Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, North Dakota

We awoke around 2:30 am to a thunderous rainstorm. Getting dressed Laurie, myself, Alexander, and Eliza left the house for a long trip to Bismarck, ND. We had been invited to participate in the dedication of the North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism. We arrived 7:30 am at the Adjutant General's Quarters at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck. Treated to a buffet breakfast, we had a chance to meet and converse with the Adjutant General, The Former AG ( Who had been at Jeremiah's Memorial in Devils Lake), The Governor and his wife, members of the ND Patriot Guard, and other Gold Star family members.

Outside, the ceremony started at 9:37am, the time of the beginning of the attacks of 9/11, with the ND Patriot Guard riding in. Colors were posted, the National Anthem sung, some opening remarks by City Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk, wife of the Adjutant General, and an Invocation by the Chaplain Major Johnson of the ND National Guard.

Remarks followed by Governer Hoeven, Bismarck Mayor John Warford, Major General David Sprynczynatyk, City Commissioner Steve Schwab, and Mrs. Diane Ferderer mother of fallen soldier Specialist Dennis Ferderer as a representative for all the Gold Star Famieelies.

After this, we the families were called up to place dog tags of our lost loved ones on the Soldier's Cross in the center of the memorial.

The ceremony was concluded by a 21-gun salute, taps and a Benedictfion by Chaplain Dan Sweeney of the Bismarck Police Department.

After the ceremony, the Patriot Guard surrounded the memorial to close it off so the families could take some alone time with the memorial and place some personal items inside it.

This tribute was very moving and we appreciate those who feel we should never forget those who sacrificed everything for our freedom. This project was a joint effort of the City of Bismarck, ND and the ND National Guard.

"We will always remember. We will always be proud.

We will always be prepared, so we will always be free."

- President Ronald Reagan

Flood may have been averted!

Due to warming weqather, record snowfall, and a couple of new storms, The Red River has been threatening to overflow most of the valley. It looks like the danger is going to pass, but they are still waiting to see if the dykes all hold. Some of the more southern towns are getting some problems, but Fargo just might make it. Grand Forks has closed two of the three bridges across the river and might close the third. We'll see. There is still a lot of snow out there and we'll have some more ugly weather this week. Bismarck and Mandan are having the same problems, I hope they do well too.

Veteran's Day 08

Memorial Bridge

Hangin' wit the Gov.

We found out at the last minute that there was a ceremony in Bismarck on Veteran's day where they were dedicating the addition of Iraq and Afghanistan casualties to the memorial at the cultural center there. After hurriedly arraigning to take the day off, we drove down. Governor Hoeven spoke as did Senator Dorgan and Congressman Pomeroy. Also the Mayors of both cities. Afterwards we viewed the memorial and later went home. The Memorial bridge that runs across the Missouri from Bismarck to Mandan has just been rebuilt and the dedication for that was the same day. We did go to the bridge and walk down it a bit and took a couple of pictures but didn't stay for the speeches and such. It was still a long and emotional day.

Bad Weather

Things have been a little crazy around here. We had a freezing rain storm on thursdany before last. I got home from work to no power. I ate and read a little by flashlight and went to bed early. Friday Laurie (she was working nights) got home and called me to say the power wouldn't be on until Saturday afternoon. So I stayed at Alex's and went to work from there. When I got home the power was back on. They got some snow in the southern and western parts of the state but not up here. Bismarck and Devils Lake both had snow, We had the ice, and Grand Forks got nothing.