Category Archives: Year 7

Memorial Day: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Background, Year 7

Back in 2007, I had the privilege to play a very minor role in welcoming home a Vietnam MIA who now is at rest in a small southern Minnesota rural cemetery. My journey started years earlier when during a break from a church seminar, I wandered out and read the inscription on the House of Hope’s Freedom Tree. My church had a “Freedom Tree” in honor of Vietnam MIA, Captain Ben Danielson (promoted to Major upon confirmation of his death). When I arrived home from my church seminar, I developed a passion to learn more about this MIA. Who was he? What had happened during his last mission? Why had my church planted a “Freedom Tree” years earlier. The internet was in its infancy, but I was a techie and knew how to search. It was an amazing journey and story.

My research led to the son of Captain Ben Danielson (shot down and killed over Vietnam). On Memorial Day this year (2020), Captain Danielson’s son, retired USN pilot Commander Brian Danielson, will give a free online talk about his family’s story including Boxer-22 (the largest air rescue operation in US Armed Forces history). Spend some time this Memorial Day and remember why we have this holiday … in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

  • Speaker: Commander Brain Danielson (USN Retired)
  • Sponsor: Museum of Flight
  • Time: Memorial Day (Monday) at 8:30 Central Daylight Time
  • Format: Online / Live
  • Registration Link (free … no charge)

Description: This Memorial Day join us (The Museum of Flight) for a special presentation, featuring retired Naval Aviator Cmdr. Brian Danielson.

Cmdr. Danielson will tell the story of his father, Air Force Capt. Benjamin Franklin Danielson, who was shot down and lost in action over Southeast Asia in 1969, which initiated the largest rescue operation of the Vietnam War, called “Boxer-22,” a dramatic quest to rescue Capt. Danielson’s crew member, who survived the shoot-down. This program will feature special Museum introductory remarks by Museum of Flight President Matt Hayes

Background information from my old blog … NorthstarNerd.Org
(that’s me … the Northstar Nerd)

Here are a few images that I took 13 years ago on Memorial Day when Brian welcomed home his Dad home at Holden Lutheran Church in rural Minnesota.

Memorial Day 2007: The Homecoming Funeral for Vietnam MIA, Captain Ben Danielson

Dreary Day Photography: Find Waldo?!

Year 7, ,

The last two days have been dreary. Light fog has been ever present with a breeze out of the Northeast off Lake Superior (i.e. cold). Temperatures struggle to get much above 50, and during my daily bike ride next to lake … even colder. This begs the question, what is a wildlife / bird photographer supposed to do? The answer is … find color! When the skies are not blue, and the light is dim the world still abounds with color.

From yesterday afternoon’s bike ride … Find Waldo!

In case, you needed help!

An Indigo Bunting atop Hawk Ridge this morning with Spring green in the background.

And of course, the daily owl report. My Great Horned Owlets are getting big, but they are still sloppy. This morning they threw down a half eaten rabbit to me. I passed given I had already had my breakfast.

Cabin Birds

Year 7,

As Molly and I drove our car down the hill back into Duluth the temperature fell from 73F to 55F in a distance of only two miles, and we never reached Lake Superior. Our home is 800 yards away from the big lake. I asked Molly if she wanted to drive down to the shore and discover the total temperature delta. She passed upon the opportunity! Anyhow after three days and two nights we were back at our home where all breezes are at least cool, and sometimes frigid!

It was strange while at the cabin to take bicycle rides in 78F degree heat. My rides along the shore at home have rarely been out of the 40’s this Spring. Don’t get me wrong, I love the “air conditioned city” of Duluth, but after a long winter the warm sun can be nice. The summer residents at the cabin are either paired off, or already now nested.

The large white pines 700 yards from our cabin have had a pair of Bald Eagles nesting for 30 years (the time we have owned our cabin). This year is no different, and I captured “Dad” eagle at sunset two nights ago. Tis a challenge to take a photograph of a bird in a bouncing boat as the wind blows you quickly past the nesting tree.

Our loons are paired off, but have not yet nested. They need the water reeds to grow and provide the required nesting areas. Normally at least two pair of loons nest within 700 yards or our cabin. The “underwater island” off our dock is a favorite fishing grounds to man and loon alike.

Just like at home, we always have Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers nesting in the cabin yard. This male was looking for love on our utility pole. I think Sapsuckers are one of the most beautiful woodpeckers. This male really showed off its red head.

I did find my first Catbird of the season up on Hawk Ridge the morning we left for the cabin. They are a cool bird, and I actually love their gray color.