BOTTINEAU, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota National Guard unit in Bottineau is leaving town after 75 years.
Bottineau city auditor Penny Nostdahl said the community is saddened by the news of the unit leaving and wants to honor the Guard and their longtime presence. Units in several locations in the state are moving or being deactivated, as part of a federally directed nationwide force structure reduction, the Minot Daily News (https://bit.ly/2jYnSa7 ) reported.
Nostdahl said the Bottineau Guard has housed 10 different units since its establishment in 1941.
A decommissioning ceremony is scheduled to take place on Feb. 20, Presidents Day, to honor the veterans. Adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann will be addressing those attending the ceremony.
Rick Hummel, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, is scheduled to be the master of ceremonies for the event.
Among the veterans being honored will be Gerald Sanderson, 97, who served with the Medical Detachment of the 164th infantry Regiment during World War II. The event will also include the participation of Mayor Ben Aufforth, Bottineau County veterans and other members of the community.
Gov. Doug Burgum and other dignitaries have also been invited.
The ceremony will be followed by a community luncheon in the Bottineau National Guard Amory. The event will be open to the public, and Guard members are encouraged to attend.
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Information from: Minot Daily News, https://www.minotdailynews.com
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