Tell us about a veteran you would like to honor
FORT YATES HERO
I just reread one of my favorite books, “The Longest Day,” by Cornelius Ryan, about the June 6, 1944, D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II. This book was later adapted into a movie.
The back of the book lists numerous veterans who contributed to the story. Several are from North Dakota, such as Bill Cook, a U.S. Navy signalman, who later managed a grain elevator in Flasher. Another was Staff Sgt. Herbert Buffalo Boy Jr., a Fort Yates paratrooper who served with the 82nd Airborne Division.
Buffalo Boy parachuted into France during the early morning hours of the D-Day invasion. This was his third combat jump, following jumps at Sicily and Salerno in Italy and before his fourth jump into the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden. He was one of a few who survived four combat jumps, earning him the four-star medal.
Buffalo Boy was respected in his unit and noted for his fighting ability and bravery. He engaged the enemy even after being wounded several times. He was a personal favorite of the 82nd Airborne Division commander, General “Jumping” James Gavin, the only general who achieved four combat parachute jumps during World War II.
Buffalo Boy went on to serve during the Korean War and at one time was the most decorated Native American from North Dakota. He later served as the Albert Grass American Legion Post commander in Fort Yates, and he died in 1984.
Scott Nelson
Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative
DAD’S INFLUENCE
My dad, George Moen, was a World War II veteran. He grew up south of Minot during the Great Depression as one of 12 kids. He never stepped foot outside of North Dakota until he joined the U.S. Navy.
In January 1943, he trained at Norfolk, Virginia, to be a radar operator on a subchaser ship. He said he wasn’t good at fixing the radar, so he became a Motor Machinist’s Mate and worked on diesel engines instead.
This little ship was 110 feet long and 17 feet wide, with 28 crew members, and traveled to North Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. He then took part in the invasion of Sicily, Italy. He was the loader on the 40mm gun. His ship and others escorted convoys of ships from North Africa to the beachheads. Once these landings were secured, his ship was sold to France and he transferred to a minesweeper as part of the invasion of Okinawa and Formosa. In his battle station, he caught the empties on the 3-inch/50-caliber gun and threw them over the side.
I grew up listening to my dad’s war stories. He is one of the main reasons I joined the U.S. Navy after high school. My younger brother also joined the U.S. Marines. Serving our country is a privilege.
Following in his footsteps worked out great for me. My engine room training got me a good job at a power plant in Beulah.
Steven Moen
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
BROTHER’S DUTY
I would like to honor my older brother, Michael Eberle, a U.S. Army veteran. He fought in the Vietnam War and suffered from the effects of Agent Orange. He is living still.
Rodney Eberle
KEM Electric Cooperative
PROUD SERVICE
I would like to honor my husband, Major David Larson, who served his country in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1993. His commitment to the Army and dedication to protecting the U.S. Constitution helped shape him into the proud veteran, father and grandparent he is today and I am proud to be his wife.
Deb Larson
Capital Electric Cooperative
SERVICE OF SONS
I would like to honor two of my sons, Shan and Rory, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 and 25 years. During those years, they showed patriotism, honor to their country, courage, bravery and endurance.
Shan was stationed in Guam, Japan and Germany, spending time in surrounding countries, such as Iraq, Iran, Qatar and Egypt, and learning to speak numerous languages.
Rory spent most of his time in Las Vegas, Nevada, working on F-16 planes and also in Iceland and the Netherlands, but always came home for harvest. During those years, they missed much of everyday life with their family at home. They are currently working on Air Force bases in Colorado.
Marlene Kouba
Slope Electric Cooperative
A FRIEND’S COURAGE
This Veterans Day, I want to honor one of my best friends, Bobbie Jo Manikowski.
Bobbie and I both grew up in North Dakota, but we didn’t meet until we were both at Kansas State University pursuing degrees in animal science. Bobbie’s mom encouraged her to see the world after graduating from high school in Geneseo, but I’m guessing serving in Iraq wasn’t quite what she had in mind!
Yes, 18-year-olds are trying to figure out where to grab lunch, Bobbie was serving in a combat zone, sleeping on dirt floors and working alongside local people to help protect them from enemy attacks. It’s difficult to fully comprehend the courage, sacrifice and responsibility that come with those experiences at such a young age.
I admire Bobbie’s ability to start a conversation with anyone. She is also one of the hardest-working people I know and has an incredible talent when it comes to working with horses. Above all, Bobbie lights up any room she walks into.
She doesn’t seek attention or recognition for her service and is incredibly humble about being a veteran. But I am proud of her and grateful to have her as such a special part of our lives.
Thank you for your service, Bobbie. Our family is lucky to have you in our lives. This Veterans Day, I’m especially proud to call you my friend.
Natalie Tokach
Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative
HONORING A LEGACY
I would like to honor all veterans, especially those in my family. But if I had to choose one, it would undoubtedly be my father, not only for his military service, but for the remarkable example he set and the legacy of service he passed through generations.
My mother was not a veteran, but she deserves equal honor. She stood beside my father through his service, endured the uncertainty and sacrifice of military life, and helped carry our family through the years that followed.
My father served in the military at the end of World War II. During his service overseas, my mother faced the loneliness and uncertainty of being separated from the man she would eventually marry. Upon his return, she incorporated material from his military parachute into her wedding dress. Together, they raised a large family and our family’s connection to military service continued.
When the Vietnam War began, that connection became deeply personal. My three oldest brothers entered the military immediately after high school and served in Vietnam, all at the same time. Tragically, one of my brothers did not come home as we had prayed and hoped he would. I still remember my parents receiving recognition for their sacrifice, and my mother becoming a Gold Star Mother. It was a meaningful and appropriate honor, but one borne from a loss no family should ever have to endure.
Yet the family’s tradition of service continued without interruption. My next four older brothers also joined the military, bringing the total to seven children who served in uniform. Two of those brothers made the military their life’s career.
And the legacy did not end with my generation. My parents’ grandchildren, followed now by great-grandchildren, also entered the military. From the Vietnam War to the present, someone in our family has always served in the U.S. military.
That is why I honor both of my parents. Their legacy is not simply one of military service. It is a legacy of duty, courage, perseverance, sacrifice and enduring commitment to serving others. That legacy has now stretched across generations, and I am deeply proud to be part of it.
Hilary Gietzen
Verendrye Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTIONS
December: Is there a North Dakota product you wish everyone knew about? Tell us about it!
Deadline for submission: Nov. 12
January: What’s one thing you appreciate more now than when you were younger?
Deadline for submission: Dec. 11
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