Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Veterans Day rolled upon us and it was a great day. The United Patriotic Bodies, Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, VFW Post 762, AMVETS Post 7 and many others participated.
The Red River Valley Concert Band played patriotic numbers and each of the service songs.
Brian Shawn was our guest speaker. Brian led the FMWF Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee for several years.
It was the first year it was hosted in Moorhead. Held at the Roland Dille Center For The Arts. It was very fitting. Dr. Dille was a WW2 Veteran, and recipient of the Bronze Star. In those days they were not a self-high five medal as they are often today.
Thanks MSUM for the excellent venue, and thanks to all that came out.
How about ALL these fantastic local restaurants and other businesses. Many of them offered free or highly discounted meals, car washes, haircuts and other services. Thanks!!
At the Fargo Air Museum, Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer spoke. Dakota is the youngest recipient of the MOH. I took away a message of letting go, being resilient and not giving up. I took away helping your buddies. Mainly helping yourself and not giving up. He was correct “we all get in bad places.” We have to take it upon ourselves to get where we need to be. You knew he spoke from rock bottom experience. Survivor’s guilt, nightmares, anxiety, depression are real. Any of these can turn even the nicest person into someone unbearable to live with.
He honored his friends he lost in a very touching way. He described them as if they were family knowing each strength and weaknesses they possessed. Talking about them you could see his gaze change. In his memory they still lived.
It’s the third MOH recipient I’ve been fortunate to meet. The humble humility they have is amazing.
Thanks to The Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation for bringing him in. As a veteran I really appreciate what they do. They have come a very long way in a few years. Thanks for the invite.

Send your veteran-related items to me at 11btwk@gmail.com.