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Show A2 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Veteran (Continued from A1) and 60 years of being forgotten by the military had a poignant outcome Tuesday, May 29, as Rep. Chris Cannon presented Frank Jr.’s medals to another of his brothers, Bert Ruesch, 85, of Mt. Pleasant at the Mt. Pleasant City Hall. “From my point of view, this is a great honor,” the congressman, who helped arrange for the medals, told approximately 20 relatives, community leaders and leaders of Mt. Pleasant VFW Post 9276. Bert Ruesch, who served in World War II at the same time as his brother and still wears his brother’s jump wings on his VFW cap, accepted the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infrantryman Badge (1st Award) and Honorable Service Lapel Pin. “I just don’t have any idea why they (the Army) were so slow in doing anything,” Bert Ruesch said. The Ruesches were a closeknit family of 10 who lived in a two-story red brick and adobe house west of State Street in Mt. Pleasant. The father, Frank Eugene Ruesch, was one of Mt. Pleasant’s first electricity superintendents. Both Frank Jr. and Bert Ruesch enlisted in the Utah National Guard in their teens. Both were called to active duty in 1941, and for a time, both were in the same unit. Then Frank Jr. was trans- Gunnison Good N ews Ne BY KAREN PRISBREY 528-7710 KEN HANSEN / MESSENGER PHOTO Photo of Sergeant Frank Ruesch, Jr. who was killed in action in the Philippines in December of 1944, along with family pictures, and the awards he received posthumously May 2007. ferred to the 11th Airborne Division and sent to the South Pacific while Bert was assigned to the infantry and sent to Germany. If you haven’t served in the military, Bert Ruesch said following the ceremony, you have no idea of the hardships troops go through. Bert Ruesch was part of an invading force that was advancing across a barren landscape in Europe when a big snowstorm hit. He and others from his unit dug a trench in the ground, descended into it and tried to sleep. Many other American troops did the same thing, Bert Ruesch says. The next morning was “like the resurrection” as soldiers across the expanse poked their heads out of the ground. Such memories made it all the more important that his fallen brother get the recognition he deserved. Besides the memory of the telegraph delivery in Penney’s, there’s a haunting family story about Frank Jr.’s death, David Ruesch said. One morning, his father came downstairs and told his mother, “You better put another plate on the table. Frank came in last night, and I told him to go upstairs to bed.” The date was Sept. 30, 1944, the day Frank Jr. died. The only communication the family ever received about the death was the telegram. “We don’t know how he died. We never heard anything,” Bert Ruesch said. In September 1948, four years after the death, Frank Jr.’s remains were returned to the family. But no medals. Arlene Johansen of Midvale, a niece who attended the ceremony, remembers the casket sitting in the Ruesch family living room. “I remember the way the room was, the picture on the casket, and the flowers,” she said. Later, Frank Jr. was buried in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery. Recently, Paul Larsen, an officer in VFW Post 9276, heard the Ruesch family’s story and contacted Cannon. After that, the request for the medals “went right through” in less than a year, Bert Ruesch said. Commission, citizens, state library discuss County/Snow College library proposal By Ben Cox Staff writer MANTI—The Sanpete County commissioners, Utah State Library officials and concerned citizens of Fairview were scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss the future of the county bookmobile library in Fairview and the potential collaboration with Snow College. The meeting, which occurred after press time, was designed to explore the possibility of involving Snow College in administering the bookmobile and housing its collection. “This is not a meeting to hash out the details,” Commissioner Claudia Jarrett said. Rather, she said, it is a preliminary meeting to inform the state library about what now appears to be a tenuous agreement between the county and college. The agreement, developed several years ago, was that the county would contribute $1 million toward construction of the new library on the southwest corner of the Snow campus. The county planned to get the money by applying for a Utah Community Impact Board (CIB) loan. Moreover, the college would assume responsibility for the bookmobile. The loan would be repaid by the county with the money previously appropriated for the bookmobile. The proposed partnership is intended to “enhance and expand services,” according to Jarrett. “We won’t just give them $1 million and get nothing out of it.” All county citizens would automatically receive a new library card. They would also have access to the Snow College collection through the bookmobile. Though none of the details are set, many fear that if Snow runs the bookmobile, the repository in Fairview, which currently doubles as a community library for the north end of the county, will be closed. Ruth Lyons, Indianola, who has helped lead opposition to closure of the Fairview repository, said she planned to attend the meeting to “find out where we stand and see what the state library has to say about the situation.” The commissioners anticipate that the details of the arrangement will be worked out at a future meeting between the county, state library and Snow College. But at this point, it is difficult to tell if anything will happen. With the CIB providing millions toward the county jail complex, Commissioner Bruce Blackham said he isn’t sure that the county would be able to get another $1 million from the CIB. The original agreement was that the county would apply for the $1 million loan, but at this point, Blackham said, “We’re not in a position to make application.” Jarrett, however, was quick to emphasize that the situation might be different next year. Murray (Continued from A1) guilty.” But he added that he believed she had an active conscience and commended her for coming forward when she did. In a later interview, Blackham noted that the confession coincided with questioning within the college about some of the accounting procedures for which Murray was responsible. Guard (Continued from A1) ing place, Birrell said, to check in with the families and see if they need assistance, and determine how the community can help. Other preparations for the 145th’s sendoff include the lining of both Manti and Ephraim’s Main streets with American flags. Community members and Boy Scouts will place the flags. Ilene Roth, widow of the internationally known artist and car designer Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, has given the troops Rat Fink Tshirts that will identify members with their unit. The design is based on Roth’s design for soldiers who Until sentencing on Aug. 8, Murray has been released on her own recognizance. By then, Blackham said, Snow College will have accounted for as much of the money Murray took as is possible to track. Blackham said no sentencing deals had been made, and he would await the pre-sentence report before making a sentencing recommendation. served in the Vietnam War. When Ilene Roth heard the 145th was being called up, she gave the Vietnam design to her son, Rusty Braithwaite, a staff sergeant with the 145th. He and others redesigned the logo for the unit. “The Rat Fink soldier is standing in oil instead of a swamp, and instead of spiders, there are flies buzzing around,” said Braithwaite. Additionally, the swamp leaves were removed from the helmet, he said. If family members or others want to purchase their own Tshirts to show support for the 145th, they can go to www.ratfink.com. You’re reading... The Sanpete Messenger/ Gunnison Valley Edition Your hometown newspaper for 86 years! GUNNISON--The “Blue Moon” this evening, Thursday, May 31, was mesmerizing as the golden orb rose above the horizon to spread its warm golden glow down the mountains and across our beautiful valley. Spellbound by the rapidness of the show, I marveled at how enormous the moon appeared as it broke above the top of the mountains like a ball of fire, then became smaller and lighter in color as it rose higher into space obtaining the brightness of the stars above. How blessed we are to be able to witness such spectacular events away from the bright lights and hubbub of larger cities. I tried capturing the event with my camera, but it wasn’t powerful enough. What I did get was rather interesting however. The moon appeared to be double, like it was dancing with a partner. Distant lights in the valley took on the mystical look of Indians, performing a ritual dance in honor of the moon. I wondered ... with the Indians that once roamed our valley, could I have captured some of their lingering spirits? I know that it’s hogwash, but an interesting thought. I spoke with Jeannie Inouye at the grocery store last week and she told me of the Creative Arts Camp her children will be hosting this summer that will run July 9 - 13 from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Middle School. There are various programs, and workshops associated with the camp that will also be available for a nominal fee. Registration is due by June 15 with Jeannie (528-7286) or Sarah Inouye (sarahsinouye@gmail.com). Jeannie also announced a special musical program that the family will perform in honor of their grandparents Charles and Bessie Inouye on Saturday, July 7, at 7 p.m. at the High School. The program is free. You won’t want to miss seeing the performances of this multi talented family. Did you happen to see the volunteer effort of the Maxilynn Frandsen family at the pioneer cabin in the park last week? Max, along with her daughters, Teresa, Denise and Shauna, spent countless hours pulling weeds in the flower beds and between the rocks surrounding the cabin. They are following in their late husband and fathers footsteps to give quite unassuming service to their community. Thanks, Max and family. Maxilynn reported that the girls, Teresa, Denise and Shauna, along with son Kirk, and two of her grandchildren recently spent a weekend at Big Rock Candy Mountain. They rented a couple of four wheelers and a Rhino to drive a mountain trail down to Marysville. The weather was beautiful and so was the scenery reported Max. “We had a great time.” Speaking of community service, Hayden (15) and Kaleb (12) Prisbrey of Aurora, and Wyatt (11), and Kyler (4) Prisbrey of Centerfield, helped their grandpa Blaine Prisbrey, remove all the dead potted flower containers from the cemetery on Monday, June 4. This is a big job, with more than two large dumpster loads being hauled off. Thanks to these special young men who were such a great help! Just a reminder to city residents and those who have loved ones at the cemetery, all flowers were to have been removed from the graves by Monday, June 4, so that regular maintenance could be done. Former valley resident Liisa Folkerson and her husband Don Olsen of Manti have received a mission call to serve in the New Zealand Wellington Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will speak on Sunday, June 10 at the Manti Tabernacle (90 S. Main) at 1 p.m. and enter the Missionary Training Center on June 11. Congratulations to the Olsens. Welcome home wishes are extended to Adam Hatch, son of Scott and Janet Hatch who returned home following a tour of duty with the Air Force in Iraq, on Friday, May 25. Adam’s wife Miranda and daughter Morgan, who have been living with the Hatch’s while Adam was away, have returned to Hill Field to make their home until he receives his next assignment. Best wishes are extended to Megan Peterson and Jeremy Vincent who were married Saturday, June 2. Megan is the daughter of Stanford and Jean Peterson of Mayfield, and Jeremy is the son of Brent and Judy Vincent of Santaquin. Jeremy is the current manager of the Gunnison Thriftway Market. Congratulations kids. Irma Sorensen reports that her grandson Tyler Sorensen, son of Lane and Loreen Sorensen graduated from Utah State University on May 5, with a degree in Pre-Veterinary Science. Tyler, his wife Amber and their tiny new son Landon, who was born at the Gunnison Valley Hospital on Wednesday, May 9, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, will be residing in Gunnison for the summer and will attend Veterinary school at Ft. Collins, Colo. in the fall. Congratulations Tyler and family. A note to any former Jordan High School Beet Diggers living in the area, have you heard about the two-day Centennial Celebration of your alma mater? The two-day event, to be held July 6 and 7, with a formal gathering and program at the LDS Conference Center on Friday evening, and an all day celebration at the South Town Expo Center on Saturday, will be a once in a life time experience you won’t want to miss. For information check the web site at www.jhsalumniassociatiion.com or call 801-566-4445. 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