He was too young to go to the high school prom at Warren High School back in 1944. But Pastor Dale Peterson, now of Lakota, was old enough to join the U.S. Navy and leave high school when the second World War broke out at that time.
Now 95, Peterson is a retired Lutheran pastor. He will be among those taking part in Memorial Day services set for 11 a.m. Monday at the Community Center in Lakota.
Also among the speakers will be Don Loeslie of Warren. And the message is that those who gave their lives in the war did not die in vain.
Loeslie said recently that Peterson was on the first ship that went in to Tokyo Bay. And the U.S. troops helped rescue more than 7,500 prisoners of war.
Those who fought in the South Pacific survived kamikaze attacks and typhoons. And he said Dale Peterson was on the first ship into Japan after the surrender.
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“Rev. Peterson has shed tears when telling of the surrender, but he rarely speaks of it,” Loeslie said recently. “There are mixed emotions.”
Memorial Day is for remembering those who have gone on ahead. Without them there would be no peaceful day to give thanks.
Ask Marilyn
Q. What interesting license plates have been seen around Grand Forks this spring?
A. There was AYO AYO on a red pickup and YA DEN on another car. Also seen was Y GROW UP on a blue jeep and WAN2FISH. Then there was BE BEEP.
Q. What advice used to be found in Burma Shave signs on the highways
A. Don’t stick your elbow out so far – it may go home in another car.
Q. Anything else long remembered from Burma Shave?
A. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time. You won’t have a leg to stand on.
Mark and Melanie
Cheerful people of the week: Mark Ewens and Melanie Popejoy.
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Reach Marilyn Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.com or by telephone at 701-772-1055.
