A North Dakota Tradition 

Deer hunting is one of North Dakota’s most long-lasting traditions. Every November is marked by thousands of hunters taking to the hills and coulees and other favored terrain in search of deer. However, for many, harvesting a deer is not the only measure of success. Participating in a tradition is. I remember my first deer […]

I’m From Around Here

Sunday was an absolute great day, except for the wind. Looking up I even saw a few flocks of geese headed north. Think of how confusing it is for them. Snow before Halloween and 50 degree temps around Thanksgiving. Who would have thunk? (thunk is one of those slang words that works in cases like […]

Denise Manson…

When I moved to Langdon in 1995, the company that owned the newspaper put me up in a hotel until I could find a place to live. It didn’t take but a couple of weeks and I found a decent apartment that wasn’t too expensive and it was close to work so I took the […]

Hillstead reveals World War II contribution

In a way, Jim Hillstead’s story about military service is much the same as other veterans, but in another way, it is completely different. Hillstead, who is 103 and lives quietly with his son Kelly in Kenmare, took on a significant military role when he was drafted into the Army in World War II in […]

MSgt Ed Zilli US Army

It was June 6th 1944, D-Day…. As part of the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division (known as the Ivy Division), Sgt Edward John Zilli had crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary, landed in Scotland, rode a blacked out train to a small village in England, had several months of additional field training, and now […]

A Uniform Reality

Air Force members are part of the “uniformed services”, but everyone has a unique experience during their time of service. Specifically, for enlisted Airmen, we can all relate to our rite of passage at Lackland AFB, including our joyous march down the “Bomb Run” during graduation weekend. From that location, we all dispersed into our […]

Minot Bomber Alum: Col (Ret) Jeff Beene

Military service is both a sacrifice and a privilege. Service members of all branches and their families are honored every Veterans Day as a thank-you for keeping America protected against foreign invaders. The US Armed Forces technically erupted during the country’s birth in 1776; however, the US Air Force has been honoring its members since […]

Walter Parcells Survives Two Hair Raising Mid-Air Attacks – Comes Home!

Walter Parcells. Parcells was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Parcells born in 1922 and spent his youth at Oberon, until the family moved, ending up at Kingston, Washington. Parcells’ father, a Benson Co. native, served in the United States Army during World War I. Walter was quick to enlist in the Army Air […]

Someone’s Baby in the Battle

There are many tipping points in life. The one I’ve most recently reached is that funny point when youth doesn’t seem all that long ago, but upon looking at a teenager, you can’t help think, “What a baby.” Maybe you can relate.This is a strange thing to reflect upon for Veteran’s Day, but this is […]

It’s My Privilege

I often sit in line for a couple of minutes when entering Minot Air Force Base through the main gate. The few minutes gives me an opportunity to think back to the first time I entered this gate some 45 years ago, a young journalist working for a local TV station assigned to do a […]