Grand Opening of the Itasca County Veteran’s History Project
On November 9th ICHS will open a new, permanent display featuring veterans’ stories and the military service of Itasca County residents. This new exhibit will be the culmination of extensive research and investigation into military records, including oral histories, from Itasca County veterans. Working with service clubs throughout the county we have been archiving service records, photos and various artifacts for the display. Itasca Veterans Project has a room for the exhibit itself and an interactive database kiosk to feature men and women who have served. Andrew L. Bunderman of Bovey is one example. During a violent engagement with enemy forces at Combat Outpost KEATING, First Lieutenant Bunderman orchestrated the defense of that outpost preventing it from falling into the hands of a Taliban force of more than 400 enemy fighters. First Lieutenant Bunderman commanded the troops in controlling force protection, integrating air support and indirect fire assets, and overseeing the complex concert of various enablers to win an arduous battle against a numerically superior enemy. According to his commendation, “his leadership under fire and disregard for his own personal safety in the midst of heavy and sustained enemy contact are in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army.” This is just one of the hundreds of stories told in the Itasca Veterans Project.
Andrew L. Bunderman (center) of Bovey receives the Silver Star for gallantry in action with the 4th Infantry Division serving in Afghanistan in 2009
The Grand Opening will be held all day Saturday, November 9th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The Grand Rapids North Star Women’s Club will be serving refreshments as people look through this incredible exhibit.
Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 PM, we are hosting a special presentation featuring author John Kriesel at Timberlake Lodge.
Tickets are $10.00 and Veterans are admitted FREE.
Genealogy meetings:
1st Thursday of the month, (except for January and July) 6:00 p.m. at the Karjala Genealogy and History Research Center. New and seasoned genealogists are welcome to come and learn more about how and where to research your family tree.