veteran’s corner
Tom Krabbenhoft
This week the FM Legion Riders, Clay and Cass County Sheriffs, Jay Thomas, Janae White from WDAY AM and others will again be staying in a tent February 4th and 5th. We are raising awareness and funds for a shelter at the National Cemetery.
Everything will kick off at 4pm Friday, at the American Legion in Moorhead with raising of the colors and singing of the national anthem. The Front Fenders take to the stage at 730pm.
Saturday the outdoor corn hole tournament will be held, and the Red River Zoo will have their Zoomobile set up.
Saturday night many veterans service and charity groups will be in attendance. An announcement concerning the veterans community will be made at 7pm.
The following weekend the AMVETS and Hawley Jaycees will have an ice fishing derby on Lee Lake February 13th, from 12-3pm. Please contact them for more information.
American Heroes Outdoors will be holding a Patriot Fish Fest on February 11th and 12th at Woodland Resort in Devils Lake. Contact them for more information.
The veterans community in this area is very lucky to have the support we do. If there is a business or person that is helping veterans please let me know.
I was watching the football games with my son this last weekend. One thing made me curious by its disappearing act was the Goodyear Blimp. I started to do some digging. The price of helium and a worldwide shortage has made a single trip an expensive 100k or more. That’s a lot of tires. The last active Goodyear Blimp was retired in 2017. There are only 25 operational blimps worldwide left which only 12 fly.
What does the Goodyear Blimp have to do with this column? The days before the Wright Brothers lighter than air aircraft had an impact on military planners.
The first balloon flight took place in 1783 by a couple of French brothers. It went 25 miles in 2.5 hours. The French attempted to use them for transportation but were unsuccessful as they could not steer them. In 1852 France, a steam engine was developed that could provide enough power for these craft to 6 mph.
During our civil war, airships were used with varying degree of success. They were used to direct artillery, spot troops and coordinate infantry movements.
The heyday for airship was WW1 for Zeppelins, Airships and Blimps.
The German Zeppelins bombed England. An airship could carry 2,000 lbs of bombs traveling at 85 mph mostly at night. 550 people were killed by these ships but the terrifying effect they had on the population was huge. They were used by both sides successfully with naval forces. A blimp could easily spot a submarine. This made them valuable to navy forces.
They also tried to use them to strafe and bomb trenches. With prop driven aircraft coming into their own they became obsolete quickly. Nonetheless theses ships played a part in warfare not to be ignored.
I miss seeing the aerial photography and views they provide during events.
Any Veteran stories ideas etc. contact me at 11btwk@gmail.com.