Bois Forte memorial keeps the stories of veterans alive

By Janna Goerdt, Hometown Focus – November 07, 2024

Floyd Morrison was 17 years old when his parents gave him a choice: stay with them in Los Angeles, go to school in Los Angeles, or enter the military.

Morrison had just taken the bus from his family’s home in Nett Lake. He was more interested in working with his hands than in going to school, and he didn’t want to stay in L.A.

It was 1968. Morrison chose the military—but the navy and the army wouldn’t take him because he didn’t yet have a high school diploma, he said.

“But the marine corps said okay,” Morrison said with a little smile. As soon as Morrison turned 18, he went overseas with the marines. Morrison served in Vietnam from January 1968 to June 1970, with Bravo Company near C.a Vi.t, just a few miles from the demilitarized zone.

Morrison served his time and then came home to Nett Lake. Years later, he and his wife began a project to document and remember the many Bois Forte Band of Chippewa veterans who have served in the military throughout the years.

Bill King’s U.S. Air Force uniform is on display at the Bois Forte Heritage Center & Cultural Museum. King served in the military in the 1970s and ‘80s

There are many. Per capita, American Indians have the highest rate of representation in the U.S. military. Morrison and his wife, Arlene, began compiling and collecting as many veterans photos as they could.

Today, about 250 pictures are displayed on the Memorial Wall—it’s actually three walls—as well as other items and pictures. Morrison found meaning in documenting his community’s military service, as well as in gathering with his fellow Bravo Company veterans over the years.

Oddly enough, Morrison met a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa while he was serving with Bravo Company. The fellow veteran was from Cloquet.

“Small world,” Morrison said.

The Memorial Wall is far from finished. Veterans may still contribute their pictures for inclusion, and cultural museum staff would like to add stories and histories to go with the pictures.

The Bois Forte Heritage Center & Cultural

Museum is located on 1500 Bois Forte Road in Tower, and is generally open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.