The Veteran Watchdog

Bloomington residents “are not ashamed of our war record,” Mary Frances Pond wrote in her 1895 book, “History of Minneapolis and Hennepin County.” Therefore, “it is not strange,” she reasoned, “that there was, in the hearts of the people, a desire to have some lasting remembrance of our soldier dead.” In 1890, Pond wrote, that desire resulted in a monument of white bronze unveiled on Memorial Day of that year.In 2008, that same desire led to the dedication on Nov. 3 of Bloomingon’s 2008 Veterans Photo Wall. Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commisioner Clark Dyrud and about 200 veterans and their spouses were on hand at Creekside Community Center to dedicate the wall, a tribute to veterans from all the nations conflicts. Some attendees wore their service-era uniforms.Speakers, including Winstead and Dyrud, praised the wall as a fitting tribute to the city’s veterans. The project is sponsored by Creekside’s senior program, the Bloomington Historical Society and others. President and Executive Director of the Bloomington Historical Society Vonda Kelly said the photo wall was designed to “give tribute to the many people who have dedicated their lives to serving their country - to help us all remember what dedication involved. … “All these brave men and women have come forward when freedom demanded. …” Kelly said further. “The price of freedom is high and to stand here in front of these pictures puts me in awe of what our people have offered and will continue to offer as we go forward.”Throughout the nation’s history, Kelly said, Bloomington residents have been “very eager” to serve.In 1861, Pond wrote in her history book, the Bloomington area comprised 62 registered voters. “But before the close of the war, forty-four had gone to fight or die for our country.” Of those, she wrote, “I think thirteen died during the service, some in battle, some in prison, and some in camp.”When World War II was declared, according to “The Bloomington History Timeline” posted on the BHS website, “both men and women joined the armed forces, proudly representing Bloomington.”Bloomington was a farming community until after World War II, when returning veterans and builders discovered it was a good place to live and raise families. At the war’s end, according to the Timeline, the community’s population had reached about 5,000. Most of the photos on the Creekside Veterans Wall are from the World War II era.”We have the greatest generation here, many of whom didn’t speak out for years and years and are now coming forward to tell their stories and to give us their pictures,” Kelly said. “So we have that record of what has go on.”A founder of the Bloomington Historical Society, Larry Granger, said “the story should be ongoing about those who stepped forward. … “There was never a question that they wouldn’t step forward. …” Granger said further. “When the country called, they were there.”In conjunction with the Creekside Veterans Wall, the Bloomington Historical Society is featuring a military exhibit at the Old Town Hall History Museum located in Bloomington at the intersection of West Old Shakopee Road and Penn Avenue South. Nine mannequins are dressed to honor Bloomington residents who served their country in the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Iraq War and Afghanistan. The exhibit will be displayed through Thanksgiving. “The exhibit reminds us all that the price of freedom demands service,” BHS explains on its website. “Countless Bloomington men and women have answered the call to serve. Many gave their lives for our country.”(By Greg C. Huff and Harvey T. Rockwood, Sun Newspapers)

Author: mnsunvideo
Keywords: Bloomington Minnesota “Veterans Photo Wall” “Creekside Community Center” Day” “Clark Dyrud”
Added: November 11, 2008