The day of the Pearl Harbor attack, what FDR memorably called 'the day that will live in infamy,' struck a nerve with a generation of patriotic Americans and motivated them to serve. In this episode, we hear from two Minnesota GI's who signed up at recruiting stations in the aftermath of the surprise attack. There's also the eyewitness account of a third Minnesota veteran who was there, aboard ship at the time the swarm of Japanese planes took aim at the US fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor.
This episode features Minnesota veterans Bill Olson, Herbert Gager and George Vandersluis.
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Veterans’ Voices Untold Stories: Stephen Rocheford #7
December 2012, Stephen Rocheford asked a senior officer if the army would advertise for LGBTQ recruits in his magazine Lavender. The Army gave it a pass. But some years later, the Minnesota National Guard did. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
Lina Knox, Minnesota National Guard, spent her first deployment at Balad Air Base in Iraq. The base had a nickname – Mortaritaville – because of the number of mortars that hit it. Here’s Abdi Mohamed.
Richard Ekholm served aboard an aircraft carrier that housed 5,300 Navy and Marines. This was during the Vietnam War, when service members were counseled not to wear uniforms on leave because of anti-war sentiments. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
In Vietnam, Louis Hubbell’s Air Force job was to repair the autopilot system. Sometimes he’d hitch a ride with the Army into town for some R&R. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
When Dennis Krivinchuk returned from Vietnam, he didn’t talk about his service. Vets were being labeled baby killers. Having a daughter changed his life and put him on the path to healing. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
After she was discharged from the Air Force for being gay, Cindy Strange decided to go on with her life. Then the military repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. In 2012, she returned to the military as an officer. Here’s Britt Aamodt.
