From the archives of the dodge county independent
10 years ago
January 30, 2013
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
K-M graduate is White House Sentry
President Barack Obama leaves the north exit of the White House on his way to his second inauguration with a Marine standing at attention to his right. That Marine was Cpl. Adam Bernards, a 2009 K-M graduate. Adam joined the Marines before graduating. A staff member from the White House Communications Center visited boot camp looking to recruit infantry Marines to work at the White House. Adam jumped at the opportunity. “It was a long process before I could get selected to work at the White House,” said Adam. “They make sure you have high standards and have not been in trouble with the law.” There is quite a bit of screening. He initially met with two military personnel and a psychologist. From there Adam attended infantry school and then security forces school. There were more evaluations and security clearances. Adam said he feels God had this plan for him and that he is blessed to have this opportunity. “Some are serving in combat and I guess this is the plan He had for me,” said Adam. “I get to serve our country in another way.” Four Marines are on staff at the White House at a time. Monday through Friday can be long hours and even on weekends depending on the president’s schedule. The Marines stand sentry outside the west wing of the White House and work 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off. Has Cpl. Bernards ever talked with the president? “I haven’t had a conversation,” he said. “It’s more like “Good morning sir, Yes sir!” One of the perks is that Cpl. Bernards does get to see some very important people. “I think that is what I enjoy most,” he said. Cpl. Bernards, 21, has been at the White House working for a year. He could serve there for up to another year. His father, high school math teacher Jeff Bernards, said, “It’s fun to see him on television once in a while.”
20 years ago
January 29, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Local resident participates in AQHA program
Jessica Lynn Brandvold of West Concord, MN, recently earned an award for logging 100.0 hours in the American Quarter Horse Association Horseback Riding Program. The program recognizes and rewards AQHA Members for time spent with their American Quarter Horses in activities such as trail rides, working cattle, pleasure driving, and simply riding. A unique aspect of the program is its simplicity. Current AQHA members complete a program application and pay a one-time $25 enrollment fee. Each enrollee receives an official AQHA log sheet to record their hours driving or riding an American Quarter Horse. Participants need not own their own horse, but all official hours must be accrued with a registered American Quarter Horse. The first award, a program recognition patch, is given after only 50 hours have been logged and verified. Patches and nine subsequent awards are presented at 100 to 5,000 hour levels and range from merchandise gift certificates from Drysdales Western Store to a Montana Silversmith trophy belt buckle at the highest level.
30 years ago
January 27, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
K-M grad on ship supporting Iraq embargo
Navy Lt. James B. Hart, a 1977 gradute of Kasson-Mantorville High School of Kasson, recently deployed aboard the submarine USS Louisville, homeported in San Diego to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean as part of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk battle group. After port calls in Hong Kong and Singapore, Louisville transited to the Red Sea. Hart will participate in Maritime Acton Group operations in support of the United Nations embargo against Iraq. This operation is a textbook example of the mobility, flexibility and capability of the Navy-Marine Corps team, and how they effectively reach all parts of the globe, on short notice, from the sea. U.S. submarines are a key element of the Navy team. Submarines can act as the eyes and ears of a battle group. They can be the vanguard of a strike force or they can conduct wholly independent operations. The most significant characteristics of a submarine—stealth, endurance and agility—give these ships great capability across the spectrum of peace, crisis and war. This marks the first major deployment for Louisville since the gulf war when she became the first submarine to conduct a submerged launch Tomahawk Cruise Missile strike in combat on January 17, 1991. He is also a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MN, with a Bachelor of Science degree. He joined the Navy in December, 1976.
50 years ago
January 31, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Recreational Vehicles
on Increase
There has been a remarkable increase in motor vehicles and trailers used for recreational purposes on Minnesota highways during the past several years, registration figures of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety indicate. While all registrations have increased 44 percent since 1965 and passenger cars increased 20 percent, motorcycles and recreational motor vehicles increased 184 percent, from 39,600 to 112,520. During the same period, the trailer classification that includes campers, boat and utility trailers increased from 67,787 to nearly 400,000. Both motorcycles and recreational motor vehicles have increased substantially with relation to total registrations. Motorcycles were two percent of the total registrations in 1965 and nearly doubled by 1972. Recreational motor vehicles increased most rapidly from 1970 to 1972.
Photo: Marine Cpl. Adam Bernards, a 2009 Kasson-Mantorville graduate, stands at attention as President Barak Obama leaves the White House.