Tom Krabbenhoft

Mothers undoubtedly have the biggest influences in our lives. It seems fitting to write about the way they have impacted some military men throughout history. Here is to Moms.

Hoelun, Ghengis Khans mother

She was kidnapped by a rival tribe after her arranged marriage to a different tribe in an effort to strengthen a shaky alliance. (Makes me think maybe today’s politics aren’t that complex). She was kidnapped because of her looks and her physical potential fertility. She bore five children. When she and other wives of her husband were widowed they were abandoned due to being foreigners of the tribe. She quickly took charge of the motley group of mothers and children. With her guidance the rag tag band thrived and grew and she taught all the kids strong values. This upbringing left Ghengis with a strong loyalty to family. It also left him with a strong thirst for revenge. During his campaign to conquer or rule the rival tribes of the Steppes began. His mother established at his request a home for war orphans, no matter the tribe. This instilled loyalty from all the tribes.

Jesse James, Zerelda

Ok not much military wise with Jesse, his mother however was something else. She was a money maker. After his death she would have people over for tours through the house. She had Jesse buried close to her bedroom window. She would allow people touring the home to pluck a pebble from the grave for a fee. People would ask if she had anything of his they could purchase. She would often produce a rusty revolver that she would part with for a hefty fee. She would buy broken and/or rusty revolvers by the box load.

Douglas MacArthur, Mary

Mary was a helicopter parent for all the ages. Her brothers fought for the Confederacy and she married a Union hero named Arthur MacArthur. They lost two Sons, Arthur Jr. and Malcom. These deaths allowed her to focus almost all her time to Douglas. She instilled in him a sense of duty and country was always first and a sense of manifest destiny. He started West Point. In 1898 his mother moved into an apartment very close to campus. Rumors persist that she would spy on him with a telescope to make sure he did his studies. Douglas’s Father was fighting in the Phillipines most of his West Point days. Douglas graduated top of his class of 93. She then proceeded to write many letters to “Black Jack” General Pershing advocating for her son. She died in 1935 while he was Governor of the Phillipines.

Our Veteran of the week is Larry Graffis

Larry served as an aircraft mechanic in the 60s. He and his new bride spent four years stationed in SD and they loved their time there. After the service they moved to Moorhead where they started Larry’s RV. He has a daughter that is very proud of him.

Submit a story or veteran of the week to 11btwk@gmail.