Tribute to Service – A Veteran’s Journey: Chief Thomas and the Meaning of Service
Long before he earned the title “Chief,” Detrick Thomas was just a kid with a fascination for fighter jets and a dream of becoming a pilot. But what started as a childhood wonder turned into a 26-year journey of leadership, grit, mentorship, and service that would take him across the Air Force and right back […]
Tribute to Service – “It’s A Way To Honor Them”
Jeremy and Matt Buller are the owners of ABRA (Auto Body Refinishers of America) in Minot, and from the day they purchased their Minot location, they have worked extra hard to connect not only with Minot, but the Minot Air Force Base. “We purchased the Minot location in January of 2023, and we have always […]
Tribute to Service – William J. Senger: Decorated Pilot, RCAF and USAAF
Nancy Hvinden William J. Senger’s story is unique in that he was a decorated pilot both in the Royal Canadian Air Force and in the USAAF. He was born on a farm southwest of Esmond, ND in 1915. His father died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. His mother remarried and the family moved to Harvey […]
Tribute to Service – Mr. David Richard’s Enduring Mission to Get Things Done
CMSgt (Ret) David Richard has dedicated the past 30 years of his life to serving his country through his work with the United States Air Force. What began as a young man’s desire to serve during a time of need evolved into a lifelong and deeply meaningful career in the government sector. Over the years, […]
Combat Veteran Ernest Hoelscher has a story to tell
Jeanne Sexton-Brown \Ernest “Ernie” Hoelscher, 95 is a Korean Combat Veteran living at the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon. Hoelscher served in the Army, 7th Division, 31st Infantry Regiment in Korea for the last 14 and a half months of the war. He was a combat soldier on the front lines. “All of us […]
Tribute to Service – The Civil War Freight Wagon that kept the war at bay: One hero’s story
Jeanne Sexton-Brown Corporal Ernest “Ernie” Hoelscher, 95 is a combat Veteran of the Korean War. He lived through more than many could even imagine in a horror movie. His story is one that makes the statement ‘War is Hell’ seem like a fairy tale. In about 1974, Ernie and his friend, Lee Vigstol, now deceased, […]
Tribute to Service – Minot Makes Its Mark: Airman Larry Brown
Starting his military career in the late 1900s, Larry Brown knew little about the lifestyle he was stepping into when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He quickly learned what military life was all about when he arrived at his first duty station – Minot Air Force Base – in 1997. Through deployments, hardships, […]
Tribute to Service – Prairie doughboy becomes local hero
In a way, Clarence McCormack’s life was like any other young man on the North Dakota prairie. He worked on the farm as a mechanic three miles south of Donnybrook, the youngest of 10 children, and hoped to get married and have a farm of his own one day. But a decision in Congress on […]
Tribute to Service – Trophy Elk for Air Force Vet
Just before sunrise he pulled on his backpack, put an arm through his rifle sling, grabbed a small stool to sit on, and began a half-mile trek down a tree row. Larry Verraneault, 78, Minot, a veteran of 6 years in the Marine Corps , followed by 17 ½ years in the Air Force, remembers […]