Jeanne Sexton-Brown

Kenny Wiederholt, Gwinner served during the Vietnam Era in the United States Air Force.
As an E4 or Sergeant in the Air Force, he served as an Electrical Power Production Specialist.
“I ran generators to produce electricity on top of a mountain in Turkey.
Wiederholt agreed that many people don’t realize that the United States Military has installations throughout the world. Being stationed in Turkey during the Vietnam Era was not that unusual.
“I was assigned to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas when I was sent on temporary duty to Minot Air Force Base to repair buildings,” said Wiederholt. “As part of the 819 Red Horse Division, similar to the Navy Seabees.”
Like the Seabees, the Red Horse Unit would be first on the ground to prepare the base.
“I was in Minot at the Air Force Base when I received my orders in November, 1975 to go to a remote mountain top in Turkey to set up and operate generators to bring electricity to the area,” said Wiederholt. “I missed all of the Bicentennial Celebrations, returning to the States in November, 1976.”
Wiederholt committed to six years of service. He served one year on remote assignment during his four years of active duty. He spent two years on inactive duty. He could have been called up in case of emergency to serve those last two years. Fortunately, that did not happen.
Wiederholt keeps busy and active in many things with the American Legion. He served as State Commander of the American Legion for two years.
“Normally, the position is held for only one year,” said Wiederholt. “But I was serving in 2019 to 2020 and due to Covid, we couldn’t hold our state convention so they asked me to serve a second term until we could meet to elect a new State Commander.”
Wiederholt holds the position of Executive Director of the North Dakota Boys State Program sponsored by the American Legion.
“I was confirmed by Governor Doug Burgum as a member of the North Dakota Veterans Home Governing Board of Directors in 2024,” said Wiederholt.
Recently Wiederholt had the opportunity to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, DC September 28th through the 30th.
Two planes departed Hector International Airport at 7:30 a.m. arriving in DC at 11:30 a.m. There were 177 Veterans, medical and volunteers on the flights.
Their trip included sightseeing around the city as well as banquets and receptions held in their honor. There was time spent at Arlington National Cemetery and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They toured the various war museums and monuments.
There were a number of things that Wiederholt found amazing on this trip.
“The National Archives was fascinating,” said Wiederholt. “We were able to see the actual Constitution, the Declaration of Independence as well as the Preamble.”
The statues at the Korean War Memorial are stationed so that anywhere you look you are making eye contact with one of the soldier statues.
“The Korean War Memorial was so moving to see all those statues of soldiers walking through the jungle,” said Wiederholt. “It looks like you are walking among them.”
The planes left and returned to Fargo with water cannon salutes from the fire departments on the runway, The police were there as well with bagpipes playing.
“This was not done by the military but by volunteers who did this to honor Veterans,” said Wiederholt. “Many private and public donors made this trip possible. We didn’t have to pay for anything except souvenirs. It really was an honor to be treated this way.”
Wiederholt said even though he was in the Air Force, and the Air Force Museum was very nice, the Army Museum was larger and far superior in its exhibits. The Army has been around longer and it is located outside the city a little farther, covering a larger area.
Over the years, Wiederholt has had many opportunities to meet very interesting people due to his involvement with the American Legion.
“I had the pleasure, years ago, to meet a gentleman from Wahpeton, a professor at the State Science School, Harold Bruhschwein, who was 90 years old. He was a Captain in the Army on Guadalcanal.”
“Harold had the most memorable stories,” recalled Wiederholt. “General Dwight Eisenhower served as the base commander at that time. Harold was invited to have ice cream with Mamie and Dwight Eisenhower. He said it was the very best ice cream he ever tasted. Harold was a wonderful man.”
Wiederholt and his wife Lori have three grown children and nine grandchildren. He agrees that grandchildren are the best. “They keep you young!”
“Both Lori and I retired from Bobcat in 2017,” said Wiederholt. “She was salaried as an office worker; I worked in the factory.”
Wiederholt stays active with American Legion functions as well as serving on the Gwinner City Council and other things in the community. He just finished helping a local farmer with the corn harvest.