‘What you see is freedom’: Veterans honored during solemn ceremony at DSU

Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press By Kelly Harju Today at 4:43 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? DICKINSON — Veterans, military families and community members gathered Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Dickinson State University's Stickney Auditorium for a solemn Veterans Day ceremony hosted by Dickinson American Legion Post 3 and the city of Dickinson to honor military service, sacrifice and remembrance. The ceremony, which began at 11 a.m., featured patriotic music, reflections from veterans, a prisoner of war and missing in action remembrance, and a rifle salute and the playing of taps. ADVERTISEMENT Dr. Rich Brauhn, a veteran and vice commander of American Legion Post 3, served as master of ceremonies, opening the program with remarks on Veterans Day's origins and the significance of honoring those who served. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Brauhn traced the observance to the 1918 armistice that ended fighting in World War I and discussed the red poppy's symbolism as a tribute to fallen service members. He also highlighted North Dakota's strong military tradition, noting that the state has approximately 46,905 veterans, representing 8.1% of its population. "North Dakota is a very, very patriotic state, and we're proud of all the veterans who have served our country, and we're here to honor them today," Brauhn said. Art Wanner, commander of the American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard, introduced the Missouri River Quilts of Valor program, which recognizes veterans through handcrafted patriotic quilts . Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Wanner described the emotional responses he has witnessed during quilt presentations, emphasizing the program's impact on recipients. "I have seen tears, smiles, silent appreciation, gratitude, and all kinds of different emotions expressed from the veterans when receiving these awards," Wanner said. "This tells me that this program is making a difference." ADVERTISEMENT The ceremony continued with the presentation of colors by the American Legion Post 3 Color Guard, the national anthem performed by the N-Compass Chorus and an invocation delivered by Bob Stockert, a veteran and deacon at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press The keynote address was delivered by the Fr. Chad Gion, a lieutenant colonel and chaplain with the North Dakota Army National Guard. A Regent native and Regent High School graduate, Gion was ordained as a Catholic priest in 2002. Gion described military service as a vocation that shapes individuals' perspectives, emphasizing the willingness of service members to fulfill their responsibilities despite uncertainty or personal disagreement. "Being a veteran means that we said yes, that we were willing to put our lives on the line and do a hard job because our country asked us to do it," Gion said. “We can't survive as a nation if we don't have men and women who will say yes when asked to do the job.” Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press He also reflected on the camaraderie developed through military service and stressed that every veteran deserves recognition, regardless of whether they served in combat. "Whether you serve on the coastline of the United States or in Vietnam, military service is military service," Gion said. Read more local news and sports Opportunities at SWCTE: Family and Consumer Science teachers provide life skills 4h ago Yesteryear: Undefeated 1979 Titan team topples Fargo South in Dakota Bowl 5h ago Hope's Corner: First snow still up in the air 5h ago Following the address, the N-Compass Chorus performed "American Medley" and "This Is My Country." ADVERTISEMENT Vietnam veteran Brian Benesh, who served as a helicopter medical evacuation medic, delivered a POW/MIA presentation highlighting efforts to identify missing service members from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Benesh discussed the USS Arizona and Dickinson native Donald J. Kusie, a Navy radioman third class who died at age 21 during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack. Kusie remains unaccounted for. He noted that 15 North Dakota service members died aboard the battleship and discussed Operation 85, an initiative seeking to identify unknown remains buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. According to Benesh, the first eight caskets were disinterred Nov. 2, offering renewed hope to families seeking answers more than eight decades later. The ceremony concluded with a rifle salute and taps performed by the American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard, followed by Stockert's benediction and Brauhn's closing remarks. "All of you veterans, when you reach your destination today or go home, please look in the mirror, and what you see is freedom," Stockert said. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Following the program, attendees viewed Quilts of Valor displayed by veterans, including John Jaeger, who volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1950 and served until 1953. ADVERTISEMENT Jaeger reflected on his family's generations of military service, including relatives who served in World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War and the Army. "I appreciate the fact that I'm an American Legion veteran," Jaeger said. "It's been very good to me." Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags DICKINSON VETERANS DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS MILITARY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE By Kelly Harju "The pen is mightier than the sword." As a professional writer with more than 10 years of experience, Kelly lives by these words. With a bachelor’s degree in communication, majoring in broadcasting and journalism, and a fiery passion for writing that began in childhood, she uses the power of words to make an impact in the community — informing, educating, and entertaining a wide range of audiences. As a journalist, what Kelly loves most about her job is the ability to bring unique stories to the public and give people a voice that can be heard around the world. Whether through print or digital platforms, her goal is to share stories people enjoy reading while spreading valuable information that supports the welfare of southwest North Dakota and its people. 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