Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Well, 3 nouns and 1 adjective. 2 nouns are just wrong. I'm back I don't know for how long. Life continues. This is where I am. First, I have fallen once again madly in love with my wife. We are going away for a bit and will begin a new segment of our lives when we get back. She wants to travel more, I'm looking at schooling. We are going to be Grandparents! My daughter has grown up. Not completely, but a fine young lady. Alex is persuing his dreams and going to be attending a 4-year college soon. Just love my kids. The family will be going to Washington DC for T.A.P.S. this year. It's spring and the worst of winter is over, here comes the floods. North Easter Lake is forming. That is where my north hay field floods until the drain channel thaws enough to drain it. I keep hearing the first line of Cream's song, Tales of Brave Ulyses. "You thought the leaden winter would bring you down forever, so you rode upon a steamer to the violence of the sun." Bring on the violence, can't wait. Last January, LM laid off 165 employees. I am out-of-work but looking. It's hard to find $16.00 an hour, even though the ND economy is the best in the nation. My favorite Governer is in Washington now in the Senate. We replaced two of the three Dems from our state and the third won't be running again. What else? Who knows. It's a new year and I might have more hope. God is still in control.

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

Happy Birthday America!!

My boys used to go to these antique tractor shows and ride like this with their Gramps.
The V.F.W. Main float.
Check out what else the Klementruds building is being used for!
Awesome construct of the local Catholic Church.

Yes, I'm a little behind. I intend to post 31 posts this month. Maybe a little ambitious but hey! Yesterday was the Fourth, and we had a busy day. Laurie worked an overnight so she didn't get home until 6 or 7 am. We got ready and left for Devils Lake. It is Devils Lake's 125 Anniversary so this year's parade was special. Sporting our matching "Pure American" T-shirts and our Gold star pins, We rode in the parade representing Gold Star Parents. The Local VFW Ladie's Auxillary handles such related activities. It was pretty emotional for us, more than we thought it would be. Many people clapped just because the VFW is a supporter of our troops, but we got a lot of applause and "Thank You"s because of Jeremiah's service. It was really nice. Here are some photos from the parade, and if I get some of us I'll post them.

Afterwards, we went home for a bit and then went back to a friend's farm out in Brinsmade for a potluck, fellowship, and fireworks. I got a chance to visit with a lot of friends I haven't seen for a while. What a great day!

Gold Star Mothers/Parents

We belong to one of those groups that no one really wants to be in. We are Gold Star Parents. Below is an article about it.

By: Angie Magruder
In May 1918 President Wilson approved the suggestion of the Women's Committee of National Defenses. It recommended that American women should wear a black band on the upper left arm, adorned with a gold star. Each star representing a family member who had given his or her life for their country. This was suggested in lieu of conventional mourning attire.
The "star" tradition began in WW I when white Service Flags were displayed from homes, business, schools and churches to indicate, by the use of a blue star, each active service member in the U.S. Military. A gold star stitched over a blue star showed the nation those who had given their lives for their country and the devotion and pride of those left behind. This tradition continued through WW II.
In his Letter to the Women's Committee by Pres. Wilson the term "Gold Star Mother" was first used. The Gold Stars not only signified the supreme sacrifice made by the deceased, but intended to give their family a measure of pride and consolation. June 4th, 1928 was the day a group of 25 mothers in Wn DC made plans to begin a national organization to be known as American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. It was to be a nonpolitical, nondenominational and nonprofit organization. Incorporated on Jan 5, 1929, it had 65 charter members from all areas of the U.S. As recently as June 12, 1984, the ninety-eighth U.S. Congress granted the GSM, Inc. a Federal Charter. A list of purposes and provisions are listed, to include general promotion of peace and good will in: assisting veterans and their dependents in the presentation of claims to the V.A.; perpetuating the memory of those whose lives were sacrificed; giving lessons of patriotism, love of country and respect for the country's flag to local communities and to extend assistance to all GSM. This organization was and is open to all mothers of fallen soldiers of all wars as well as those who have died a service-related death.
Presently GSM groups give support to their local veteran's hospitals in many ways and help with and attend veteran's ceremonies. They have their own license plate available, monthly meetings, annual conventions, and are eligible to live at the group's complex, American Gold Star Manor in Long Beach, CA. The last Sunday of September has officially been declared GSM day. Upon the death of a son or daughter, the U. S. Gov't provides the mother (and often the other family members) a small gold-star pin.
Betty Spengler, a resident at The Fairfax in Alexandria, lost her son in Viet Nam. She said , "You always have your memories that are there--especially during the Holidays."
My mother-in-law, Julia Magruder, also a GSM lost her youngest son in Vietnam while all three of her sons were serving. She shared the following: "My receiving the gold star was a satisfying and proud remembrance of the son it stood for. The smallness of the pin creates a very personal relationship when worn. It signifies so much."

For more information you can go to: http://www.goldstarmoms.com/