Thursday, April 21, 2011

Volume 98; Number 45

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A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

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Fourteen area Veterans will visit Commissioner Kircher
memorials in Washington DC hosts public meeting
itary services were featured. A
men’s vocal quartet from the com- By Rin Porter
munity and an ensemble from the In the third of five scheduled public meetings, county officials presented informa-
SMHS band were featured perform- tion on the county’s financial situation, changes in its organizational structure, the ren-
ers. At the conclusion of the cere- ovation of the Historic Courthouse, and other topics on April 11 at the Browerville
mony, SMHS student Charles Community Center.
Crandall played “Taps” on a solo The Browerville meeting was hosted by Commissioner Dave Kircher, who repre-
trumpet. sents District 4 that includes the cities of Browerville, Burtrum, and Grey Eagle, and
Speakers gave short talks dur- seven townships: Ward, Turtle Creek, Bruce, Hartford, Little Elk, Grey Eagle, and
ing the event. Vietnam veteran Burnhamville.
Huck Holst, veteran’s spouse Rose There are two more meetings scheduled: April 14 at the Double Eagle Golf Course
Hoemberg, World War II veteran and Grille, on CR 3; and on April 25 at the Bertha City Hall. Both meetings are at 6 PM.
Harry Meyer, Mr. Danculovich, Mr. At the Browerville meeting, Commissioner Kircher welcomed those attending, who
O’Dell, Mr. Lindgren, and three stu- included two other commissioners, three county employees, ten members of the pub-
dents (Brianna Granby, Philip lic, and one representative of the media. Next, County Administrator Nate Burkett pre-
Smithley, and Spencer Svendsen) sented about 20 minutes of current county facts and statistics compared to the past one
shared their thoughts about military to two years. He explained legislative initiatives he was working on, along with other
service, sacrifice, and the impor- county officials, to try to get more local control of funds allocated by the state.
tance of the trip the veterans would Burkett explained that the county did not increase its tax levy for 2011 – a real mile-
be making. stone for taxpayers. The county budgets for 2010 and 2011 were almost the same for
Throughout the ceremony, the 14 revenues and expenditures. Through retirements and resignations, the number of
honored veterans and all military county employees has decreased from 208 in 2009 to 173 in 2011. Most will not be
veterans were thanked repeatedly replaced. Several departments have been combined, several will be co-located when
for their service by the speakers. the Historic Courthouse renovation is completed, and several have been working
Area veterans were honored at a Veterans Recognition
The active duty Army soldiers who together collaboratively to reduce expenses.
Program held on April 14th, 2011. The Program was to honor
attended had all served in Burkett predicted that the demand for county services will increase in the next few
and act as a send-off for area veterans who departed for
Afghanistan, and received thunder- years in the areas of social services, public health, and veterans’ affairs. At the same
Washington DC. The veterans will visit Arlington National
ous applause and cheers for their time, the jail population has decreased significantly since the State of Minnesota and
Cemetery, the U.S. Marine Memorial, the Korean War
contributions to America’s freedom. Pope County stopped renting space for their inmates, and the commission of many
Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the World War II
The 14 honored veterans, their types of crimes decreased in Todd County.
Memorial.
families, and all military and former The county will aim for another zero levy increase for 2012, while reducing its
The trip was made possible by many generous donations
military who were present appeared reliance on state-provided funds like county program aid.
from a number of community organizations, including the
to be greatly moved by the outpour- Soon, the Todd County Departments of Public Health and Social Services will be
Browerville Lions Club.
ing of gratitude and appreciation by combined to form one new department. It will Continued on page 20.
By Rin Porter math teacher Gene Mattila organ- the community.
Fourteen veterans of World War ized and coordinated the honoring
II, Korea, and Vietnam were hon-
ored in an emotional ceremony at
ceremony and acted as master of cer-
emonies. His math students spent
Hundreds attend Men’s Ham Dinner
Staple-Motley High School (SMHS) three days creating the large alpha-
on April 14. The occasion was the bet posters that spelled out patriotic
send-off for the men’s trip to the mil- messages decorating the auditorium
itary memorials in Washington, where the ceremony took place.
D.C., on April 15-16. In Washington, Retired teachers Frank O’Dell and
they were scheduled to visit Tom Danculovich assisted Mattila,
Arlington National Cemetery, the working with the Host Lions Club
U.S. Marine Memorial, the Korean and Patriot Guard groups that par-
War Memorial, the Vietnam ticipated. Motley Legion Post #124
Memorial, and the World War II provided the Color Guard.
Memorial. The students of SMHS filled
All the costs of the trip were the auditorium as the ceremony
donated by the community. began just after 2:00 PM. Mattila
Thirteen individuals and businesses explained the significance of the day
each donated $100 or more. The and led the crowd in cheers. Twelve
students and staff of SMHS donated members of the Patriot Guard, six
specially embroidered shirts for the active duty U.S. Army soldiers from
14 veterans to wear. The Patriot Camp Ripley, and many former mili-
Guard and the Host Lions donated tary formed an honoring line to wel-
substantial sums. In addition, for come the honorees. The 14 honored
“mail call” during the trip, members veterans were escorted into the
of the community wrote 876 letters auditorium by members of the
to the veterans. The veterans were SMHS Future Farmers of America
bused to Minneapolis, flown to (FFA), and as soon as they were all
Chicago, and then flown to Dulles in the room, cheers and applause
Airport near Washington, D.C. erupted from the crowd.
Two Browerville vets, Al Jeske During the 90-minute ceremony,
and Roland Spychalla, who both music was an important part of the
served during the Korean Conflict, event. Selections including “God
made the trip. Bless the USA,” “The Star-
Spangled Banner,” a Christian A very large crowd packed the basement of Christ the King Church on April 17th for the
SMHS hymn, and the four songs of the mil- Annual Men’s Ham Dinner. Additional photos on page 20.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

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