North Dakota

An overdue ceremony for a North Dakotan veteran

Published

11 months ago

September 7, 2023

An overdue ceremony for a North Dakotan veteran

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – A North Dakota family was finally able to properly honor the memory of a soldier after waiting over forty years.

Private Donovan Walton, who was from Minot, joined the Marines when he was about sixteen years old. Two years later in 1944 when he was eighteen, he and seven other soldiers died in a plane crash.

They were buried in a mass grave in Missouri, and since Walton’s younger brother, Ray Walton, was about sixteen himself and had no way to get to Missouri, the family was never able to receive the closure they wanted.

Jean Schafer said her father, Ray Walton, tried multiple times to have his brother’s death honored by the military, but in 2007, he passed away. Schafer said she and her sisters picked up where he left off a few years ago, and today, they were finally able to attend a military ceremony honoring their uncle Donovan.

“We wanted to bring that closure in our father’s memory, hoping he’s looking down on us, smiling and proud and feeling that closure. But it’s just about that, and you don’t get that until some of these symbolic things happen,” Schafer said.

Schafer said her father eventually was able to get a stone commemorated to Donovan at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in the 90s. He considered it to be the first time Donovan’s death had been acknowledged by the military.

Several years after Schafer’s father died, she said she was able to connect with two men who were able to help her and her sisters piece together the soldiers’ histories.

Andy Zachmeier, who serves on the Morton County Commission, got involved when he discovered there was no record of Donovan’s family ever receiving a folded flag, medals or funeral. He said that was when he dug into Donovan’s history, and eventually, he found his commander’s notes.

“The marine commander said that every marine that was working on that aircraft, under heavy enemy fire, and did not flinch, did not run, should get a commendation. So today, hopefully, that was that commendation,” Zachmeier said.

Schafer said she ended up reaching out to Senator Cramer’s office. While they were unable to get the United States Marine Corps to help, they were able to work with the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs in order to arrange the overdue ceremony.

Zachmeier said there were a lot of Morton County residents who served during World War Two, but Donovan Walton’s was the first of its kind he’d come across.

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North Dakota

South Dakota Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Harris as presidential pick • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

5 hours ago

July 23, 2024

Press Room

South Dakota Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Harris as presidential pick • South Dakota Searchlight

The South Dakota delegates to the Democratic National Convention met virtually Monday night and voted unanimously to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee in the 2024 presidential race.

South Dakota Democrats hopeful, not yet ready to endorse Harris as presidential nominee

In voting to endorse Harris, South Dakota Democrats fell in line with other state and national Democratic leaders who quickly followed the lead from President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 race via social media Sunday afternoon and endorsed Harris as his successor shortly thereafter.

Democrats in Nebraska, Maryland, Florida, New Hampshire, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia were among the states where Democrats backed Harris as of Monday evening.

Harris has also picked up endorsements from key leaders at the national level. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, mentioned as a possible Democratic contender himself, endorsed Harris quickly on Sunday. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Harris Monday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had not endorsed Harris as of Monday evening, but Jeffries said earlier in the day that Harris had “excited the House Democratic Caucus and she’s exciting the country.”

Late Monday evening, the New York Times, CNN and other national media organizations reported that Harris had secured the backing of more than the 1,976 delegates needed to win the nomination in the first round of voting at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. The news came by way of a poll from The Associated Press, which broke the story.

The poll listed 2,668 delegates pledged to Harris and 54 undecided as of 10 p.m. CST Monday.

The Democratic National Committee will move forward with the process to formally nominate a presidential candidate Wednesday when its Rules Committee meets in a public virtual session amid ongoing efforts to set up a virtual roll call vote ahead of the convention next month in Chicago, according to reporting from States Newsroom.

South Dakota Democrats backed Biden with around 75% of the vote in the state’s June 4 primary. In a news release, the South Dakota Democratic Party announced that its 20 voting delegates to the August convention had voted unanimously to back Harris.

“We thank President Biden for his leadership throughout his career and for choosing Kamala Harris four years ago to be his Vice President,” said Delegate Chair Jessica Meyers. “Harris has proven that she is more than equipped to take on the Presidency and we as a delegation are looking forward to casting the official vote for her.”

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North Dakota

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair

Published

12 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – This is a reminder for servicemembers and their families that the North Dakota State Fair is continuing its long-standing tradition of honoring those who serve with a special Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday.

Military members and their families can enjoy lunch from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the north festival tent.

The event is sponsored by the N.D. Beef Commission, N.D. Stockmen’s Association, and N.D. CattleWomen.

They can also enjoy free carnival rides from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., half-off unlimited ride wristbands, and $2 off go-cart rides.

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North Dakota

Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license

Published

19 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license

BISMARCK – Hunters can now apply for a 2024 North Dakota swan license

on the Game and Fish Department’s website

at gf.nd.gov, the department said Monday, July 22.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The application deadline is Aug. 21.

North Dakota’s statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Sept. 28, and 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.

All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license.

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