Veterans honored at program November 10

The Clearbrook Legion and Auxiliary and staff at the Clearbrook-Gonvick School put on a  great Veterans Day program. There were many veterans who had served in the military service from various Wars including World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and conflicts from that point on. Also most everyone in the packed gym had a family member or someone they knew who has served in the military. 

All of the Clearbrook-Gonvick School faculty and students were in attendance.

The presentation of the flag was done by members of the Clearbrook American Legion Post #256.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said with students and crowd saying it so that every word was as clear as a bell.

The National Anthem was played by the Clearbrook-Gonvick Band with Joe Vene and the crowd singing along. Vene made it a memorable rendition with his booming voice.

Bill Stoller, Commander of the Clearbrook American Legion Post #256 read the list of those community members from Clearbrook and Gonvick who had been killed in action.

World War I - Clearbrook: Melvin Johnson, Halvor Bakken, Lars Bjorbeck, Bennie Fosness, Oscar Jacobson, Edwin Koxvold, Olaf Olson and Andrew Stortroen. Gonvick: C.E. Anderson.

World War II - Clearbrook: Hartvig Berg, Helmer Erickson, Reuben Halvorson, Arnold Holm, Elmer Holm, Edward Isackson, Elvin Johnson, Wallace L. Johnson, Morrell Larson, Robert K. Nelson, Rudolph Nordlund, Selmer Okstad, Jr., Emil Richards, Roland Richardson, Ernest Rydeen, Lloyd Wedwick. Gonvick: Robert Anderson, Carl Grone, Clarence Jordet, Adolph King, James Lund, Virgil Lundy, Charles Marmorine, Herman Odegaard, Selmer Martin Okstad, Jr., Selmer Pederson, Palmer Soderland, Arthur Stolen, and Joseph Widseth.

Korean War - Clearbrook: Richard Bergland, Talmadge Kloster and Lavern Maple.

VietNam War - Clearbrook: Gerald Bagaason and Dennis Nelson. Gonvick: John Olaf Sundquist.

Stoller, a retired Commander Master Chief with the United States Navy announced the roll call of veterans who were present at the program. They included: United States Army: Franklin L. Berg, Ken Brein, John Brendalen, Franklin Buer, Jeremy Davies, Larry Djernes, Jared Dwight, Byron Edevold, Loren Edevold, Lloyd Engen, Benny Erickson, Ordean Erickson, Douglas Fredrickson, Wayne Hinrichs, Duane Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Larry Leffel, Elwood Nord-lund, Gary Quern, Norman Rude, Larry Shelquist, Lowell Stevens, Ordean Swanson, Joe Vene, Lonnie Walters, Marvin Wolden and Jerry Wraa.

United States Marine Corps: Candace Coulter and Kory Neustel.

United States Navy: Tom Anderson, Darrel Engebretson, Russ Lembke, Bill Stoller, Leroy Sundquist, Vic Thompson and Gerald H. Wraa.

United States Air Force: Doug Faldet.

Donna Rae Jacobson acknowledged  Beulah Richards of Clearbrook as the Gold Star Wife. 

The band under the direction of Mrs. Katrina Stewart provided “America’s Finest” by Jay Bocook. It was a Music Tribute to the Armed Forces, 

Keisha Jones, who attended the 2017 American Legion Auxiliary Girl State Delegate program that was held at Bethel University in St. Paul. The Clearbrook-Gonvick Senior said it was a very good experience and she made lifetime friends. They learned a lot about how government works. They passed a bill to have your blood type on all drivers licenses. They visited the capitol and put on a mock trial. 

Readings were given by 6th grade students. Aliyah Ballard, read “Thank a Vet” by William A. Predeau, Presley Westrum read a “Veteran” by Lynne Care and Haley McCoy read “To Honor the Veterans”.

Elinor Davies, the 10 year old who was the Clearwater County 4-H Grand Champion of the Citizenship Project sponsored by the Clearbrook American Legion Auxiliary recited the “Gettysburg Address” that she had memorized.

Corrinne Anderson the Clearbrook American Legion Auxiliary President introduced the guest speaker, Joe Vene.

Joe Vene, an Army Veteran who served in Germany was the Superintendent for 20 years at the Northwest Juvenile Center in Bemidji. He was also a Beltrami Commissioner for 12 years. He has been working hard to bring a Veterans home to Bemidji.

He went on to give the history of Veterans Day and he also read a poem “in Flanders Field.”

Following the program, veterans, guests and teachers were invited to coffee and donuts in the commons area served by the Clearbrook American Legion Auxiliary.