Finding common ground under an October sky
Oct. 8—GRANITE FALLS — There are two things the Strom brothers have in common.
In a family of six boys and four girls, all six boys have served in the military, with the last of them about to complete his service this month.
Saturday, four of the brothers were able to hunt together for the first time in four years. Hunting is the other thing the brothers have in common.
"We love to hunt," explained Richard Strom, of Willmar, as he walked alongside brothers Russel and Roger on the grasslands at the Heartland Preserve outside of Granite Falls. Brother Ron was on site as well.
The four brothers were among 71 veterans of military service and 28 guests of the veterans who were treated to a Saturday morning hunt for pheasants on the game preserve.
It's hosted every year by the Chippewa County chapter of Pheasants Forever, with help from a variety of volunteer helpers and organizations, including the Two Rivers chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters. Tom Brusven, a member of the PF chapter's board of directors, believes the chapter started hosting the event as many as 25 years ago.
He's sure of this: The event continues to grow in popularity every year. This year's version saw one of the largest number of participants. Along with a hunt, the veterans and the guests they invited were treated to a meal featuring barbecued brisket.
There was a patriotic salute as well. Evan Fagen from the Fagen Fighters World War II Museum piloted a P-40K Aleutian Tiger over the site as the veterans gathered at the hunt's end.
The event is all about veterans getting together with their hunting buddies or family members and enjoying the companionship, as well as the outdoors, according to John Mader, chapter president.
"It's not about the birds," said Mader.
The participants ranged from veterans who served from the Vietnam era to today. Some brought guests including grandchildren.
In terms of service to the country, the Strom brothers certainly have a claim to the longest-running tradition. Their ancestors on the maternal side date their arrival in North America to 1640. "We have been in every fight this country has ever had," said Ron Strom.
And while the event wasn't about the birds, there were plenty of them. The 99 participants dropped 87 pheasants that were released and flushed by dogs as the participants walked the Heartland Preserve fields.
Brusven said the local Pheasants Forever chapter decided long ago that its mission would focus on serving youth and veterans. It hosts an annual youth hunt in September on the grounds of the Preserve as well.
"It's giving back to the community," said Cory Enberg, a board member for the local chapter.
And especially, it's a way to thank veterans for their service, said Mader. In a time when there are so many divisions in the country, he said it's good to remember that we can all appreciate and thank our veterans. It's something everyone has in common. He noted that whether you have served or not, chances are you have a family member or a friend who has.
As he spoke, participant Bob Anderson came up to Mader, his arm extended. "Thank you for all your hard work," he told him.
