As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, it’s only natural to wonder what those 250 years contained. History books tell us how our nation began, but much of what happened in between can become lost over time, especially here in North Dakota. Since most of us aren’t from this state, I’ll bet many of us don’t have a clear picture of what Minot and Minot Air Force Base looked like in 1976. That’s one of the greatest purposes of newspapers: preserving the everyday moments that become history. Let’s keep that tradition going.
Special thanks to MAFB Librarian Julie Reiten for searching through decades of The Sentry (now the Northern Sentry) and sharing old photos and articles. (Did you know the base library houses nearly every edition of the base newspaper?) We uncovered some fascinating glimpses into life 50 years ago. The base hosted a Fourth of July parade, and surrounding communities, including Ruthville, held large Bicentennial celebrations.
One article that stood out described a tree planted by the 741st Missile Squadron in Plaza, North Dakota. According to the July 23, 1976 article, the tree commemorated Plaza’s 70th anniversary and America’s Bicentennial. While the exact purpose of the planting isn’t documented, longtime Minot AFB supporter Bruce Christianson believes it reflected the pride many small North Dakota towns felt in their connection to the Air Force.
Plaza, about 60 miles from Minot, was closely tied to the missile mission, with nearby missile silos and launch facilities. Airmen regularly passed through town for supplies or simply to visit. Since the missile mission had only arrived at Minot in the early 1960s, it was still relatively new in 1976 and likely something the community wanted to celebrate.
Wanting to see what remained 50 years later, Northern Sentry owner Ted Bolton did a little digging – literally. Beneath overgrown grass, he uncovered the original commemorative plaque (pictured). Although the original article referred to the tree as a willow, both the surviving tree and a photo published in Plaza’s 75th Jubilee book clearly show it was actually a pine.
Unfortunately, official records were scarce. Attempts to locate the Airmen mentioned in the original article were unsuccessful, and while Ted spoke with Plaza’s acting mayor, Phillip Westgard about it, Westgard wasn’t present for the ceremony and could only help identify some of those pictured. Most had passed away, and those still living couldn’t recall many details.
Even without all the answers, the tree still stands today to the left of the park’s gazebo, reaching roughly 45 feet into the North Dakota sky. It remains a quiet reminder that small acts can leave lasting legacies. For decades it has provided shade and beauty to Plaza while serving as a living connection between the town and Minot Air Force Base.
Christianson also reflected on how much the relationship between the base and the community has changed since that time. Fifty years ago, he said, interactions were far more formal and often divided into “them” and “us” or the “base” and the “town”. Today, families, spouses, Airmen, and community members interact freely, and the bond between Minot and Minot AFB has become one of the installation’s greatest strengths.
As we reflect on our nation’s past and look toward the future, what will you do today that will still matter 50 years from now? And what will Minot Air Force Base look like in 2076?
