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President Oscar Krosnes called the meeting to order. We sang the Norwegian and American National Anthems.
Oscar Krosnes gave a report on the famous Norwegian Col Heg, and the Norwegian soldiers of the 15th Volunteer Regiment of WI, who fought for the Union against the Confederacy, in many Civil War Battles in KY, TN and the northern counties of GA. Hans Christian Heg was born near Drammen, Norway (near Oslo) on December 21,1829. Hans Heg came to Muskego,WI, with his family from Norway when he was 11. Growing up in his "new" country, he learned the language fast, and early on, learned the customs of America. After the death of his mother and father, he took over the family’s 320-acre farm, During his period on the farm, he met and married Gunhild Einong, the daughter of a Norwegian immigrant. Hans Heg, now 22, had the respect and confidence of his Norwegian and American community, and was being considered a young politician. In 1855 he was chosen chairman of the Town Board of Norway and also became a member of the Racine County Board of Supervisors. In 1859 he gave up farming and made his home in Waterford. He soon entered state politics, and later became a Commissioner of the state prison system, and made many improvements to the prison system. In 1861, after the attack on Fort Sumter, in Charleston, SC President Lincoln called 500,000 men to fight for the Union. Appealing to the dedication of all young Norsemen, Heg began recruiting for volunteers to fight for their "new" country. Governor Randall appointed Heg a Colonel of the15th Wisconsin Volunteers Regiment. Heg’s recruiting was a great success. He brought in 890 men, (115 of them had the first name of “Ole’). He’s regiment later came to 1100 men, that included Danes, Swedes and Dutch. Colonel Heg and his Norwegians fought gallantly all through the many battles of the Civil War. One third of his regiment perished in fighting. Several hundred were captured and were prisoners in the horrible Fort Andersonville, where half of them died. The battle of Chickamunga, near Chattanooga, was one of the more difficult campaigns. Colonel Heg, and many of his men were killed during the battle of Chickamunga. He experienced much suffering all night, and died the next morning. (September 20,1863). At Col. Heg’s request, his body was sent home to Waterford for burial. There was much mourning in Waterford and throughout the state of WI. Letters of Col Heg and more on the internet http://www.mnhs.org/mnhspress/books/civil-war-letters-colonel-hans-christian-heg https://www.nps.gov/chch/learn/historyculture/hans-heg.htm Karen Kennedy, Carol Fidler and Sharon Lassiter shared information about Norwegian immigrants from their families who fought for the Union in the Civil War. Karen Kennedy shared information on three of her civil war ancestors. Her great great-grandfather Private, Martin Anderson Company D, 15th WI Regiment, Infantry, served under Capt. Charles Campbell. He was probably one of the oldest WI volunteers at age 52. His military career was brief and family lore tells he rode home to WI on horseback and died a short time later. The brother of Karen’s great-grandfather, Private Kittel (Kittle) Jeglum, Company C, 12th Regiment WI, had only been in America since 1859. He was a paid substitute soldier for a WI draftee. The Enrollment Act of 1863 provided that a draftee could pay a “substitute” enrollee the sum of $300 (about $5,000 in today's terms) in order to enlist in his place. Kittel marched through Georgia under General Sherman during the Atlanta Campaign and on to Washington. See the link below to read the engrossing fifteen page speech by the grandfather of Karen’s uncle by marriage. Private Ole Steensland of Perry, Wis., captivating hand written account of his experiences in the WI Infantry. He Address: at the reunion of the 15th Regiment Wisconsin, Infantry at Scandia Hall, Chicago, August 29th, 1900. Ole served in Company C under Brigade Commander Col. Heg, the subject of Oscar’s presentation. Heg died in the battle at Chickamunga but Ole survived and spent the next nineteen months experiencing horrors in many Confederate prisons including two times at Camp Sumter, also known as Andersonville Prison, GA. http://cdm15932.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/quiner/id/52620 Carol and Sharon had ancestors who fought for the Minnesota 9th and 5th Regiments in the Battle of Nashville on Dec. 15-16,1864. The city of Nashville surrendered to the Union Army February 25,1862, the city became a supply, transportation and hospital hub and a base for military operations in the western theater. Carol’s ancestor Private Hans Peterson was in Company D, 9th MN Regiment, Infantry, and fought in Battle of Nashville. Carol showed maps of the battle of Nashville and told many details of where her ancestor Private Hans Peterson fought in the battle of Nashville at Shy's Hill, just off what is now Harding Road, on Dec.15-16, 1864. During the Battle of Nashville, Federal troops finally broke the Confederate line on the left flank, resulting in a massive Rebel retreat from Shy’s Hill and a decisive Union victory. The 9th Regiment then marched in pursuit of Confederate Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood’s troops to the Tennessee River December 17-28. The memorial on Shy’s Hill honors the troops of both sides who fought on and around Shy's Hill. It consists of three flags, an American flag, a Confederate national flag, and a Minnesota state flag (honoring the four regiments of Minnesotans who were instrumental in capturing the hill.) Read more about the action Shy’s Hill. http://www.bonps.org/shys-hill/ Carol shared a picture of the 1906 Howard Pyle painting depicting the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 10th MN Infantry Regiments who fought in a deadly charge across a muddy cornfield near Shy's Hill on Dec. 16, 1864. More than 300 soldiers were left on the field. The painting hangs in the MN State Capitol in St. Paul. There is a copy of the Pyle painting on display at the base of Shy’s Hill. Check out these links for more information. http://cw.tnvacation.com/civil-war/place/3362/battle-of- nashville-driving-tour-at-shys-hill/ TheTN Civil War App is available at the App Store. Sharon shared about her great-great-grandfather Private Nelson Evans from Amherst Township, Fillmore County, MN, was drafted at age 40 and mustered in on Nov.17,1864, to Company F, 5th MN Regiment, Infantry and was in the Battle of Nashville. He survived the war but was discharged from service due to illness at East Port, MS, on Sept. 6,1865. He lived in MN with his family until his death on Aug. 6,1872 from ulceration of the bowels due to his war time dysentery. Information on Civil War soldiers can be found in the gov.data base: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-databasehtm Fort Negley http://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Historic-Sites/Fort- Negley.aspx TN State Library and Archives https://sos.tn.gov/tsla, in Nashville Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Heritage Center http://civilwar.vesterheim.org Oscar reviewed the Winter Olympics status, especially how the Norwegians were doing. Norway is very much in the lead with a total of 22 metals including 7 golds. (as of Saturday, February 17). This was followed by Germany with 17 total, 9 golds; Canada with 15 total, 5 golds; Netherlands 13, 6 golds; USA 9, 5 golds. Specific events were reviewed. All metal results will change as the Olympics progress. Read the article in the February 2018 issue of the Viking Magazine titled The Making of an Olympic Powerhouse GOLD RUSH. Carol Fidler was given a certificate and a pot of yellow miniature yellow daffodils for serving as emcee for the 2017 Julefest. Evelyn McDaniel was in Norway but when she returns to TN she will be given a certificate for emceeing the 2017 Julefest with Carol. Meeting adjourned. The well fed MCV members headed home. Sharon Lassiter MCV Secretary Music City Vikings - Lodge 681 - Julefest ReportThe beautifully decorated Brentwood Country Club, Brentwood, TN, was was the setting for our 8th annual Music City Vikings Julefest. Acting president Oscar Krosnes and Julefest Chair Evelyn McDaniel welcomed members and guests to the Julefest. Carol Fidler led us in singing the Norwegian and American Anthems. Brentwood World Outreach Church pastors Carol and Bruce Fidler prayed table prayers in Norwegian and English before we went to the buffet table for our delicious Julefest meal. There were seventy adults and one little three year old Norwegian girl dressed in a traditional Norwegian costume in attendance at the Julefest. Carol Fidler and Evelyn McDaniel were dressed in traditional Norwegian bunad clothing. Many MCV members were wearing Norwegian sweaters and jewelry.
Tusen takk to Evelyn McDaniel, member of Brentwood Country Club, and to Carol Fidler who were the organizers for the Julefest program. Nermin Begovic played and sang Norwegian & Swedish and traditional Christmas songs on the guitar and accordion. Everyone enjoyed Nermin’s mini concert and the group sing along. Tusen takk to the bakers, Evelyn McDaniel, Carol Fidler, Gloria Kleve, LeAnne Peters, Margaret Kneer, Sharol Hopwood, Sharon Lassiter, Karen Sizemore, Kevin Olson, Ken and Bonnie Sersland who made delicious Scandinavian desserts for the Julefest buffet. Brian Christianson, a Minnesota native who now lives in Nashville and plays and fixes violins for a living, made delicious lefse for the Julefest. Ken Sersland ordered Farmer’s Cheese, Lingonberries, Herring and Flatbrød to sell. Two members from the Vikings of the Smokies, SON Lodge 677, President Joleen Dewald and Social Director Dee Bumpers, were guests at the Julefest. New member Cat Acree won a jar of Lingonberries for finding the almond in the Riskrem. Masse Moro or lots of fun was had by all at the Julefest. Gud Velsigne. God jul & og godt nytt år. There will be no MCV meeting in January 2018. The February 2018 board meeting will be announced later. The Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, MCV meeting at First Lutheran Church in Nashville with 12 in attendance: Oscar Krosnes, Diane Acree, Ken Sersland, Christina Péters, LeAnne Péters, Gloria Kleve, Kevin and George Olson, Sharol Hopwood, Sharon Lassiter, Tyler and Mandy Gaw. Having the meeting upstairs made it easier for most older folks. There was a special event downstairs in the room we usually use for our meeting.
Acting president Oscar Krosnes called the meeting to order and we sang the Norwegian and U.S. National Anthems. Ken Sersland reported that 55 of the 70 tickets have been sold for the Julefest on Dec. 2. Evelyn McDaniel is working with Brentwood Country Club and we are going to have a special event. Ken has ordered Norwegian and Swedish Calendars, Farmer’s Cheese, Pickled Herring, Ligonberries (mountain cranberries), and Flatbread to sell at the Julefest. Karen Kennedy is looking for special music for the Julefest. Oscar Krosnes introduced Diane Acree who will be the new MCV public relations and publicity chair. She will use her contacts to get more information out on Facebook, Instagram and other social media so we can attract new and retain former and younger Scandinavian members. Oscar introduced Christina Péters spoke on the topic "BRINGING TRAVEL HOME”. Christina is a Swedish American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker an award winning journalist, managing director of one of the largest global banks, and a successful seed philanthropist. Christina is founder and CEO of GenieMe Technologies Inc., a tech company dedicated to maximizing life. MCV member LeAnne Péters is her mother. Christina Péters talked about how travel can recharge everyone including people who are depressed or ill and how important it is to plan, dream and experience travel as it expands the mind and is good for the body and soul. The process of planning, saving money for, discovering places to visit and experiencing travel can make a person more flexible and open minded and aware about what we value in our daily lives. We all strive to be happy and fulfilled in our lives. Travel is a way to renew and recharge the body, mind and soul. Christina’s book, Stopping Planes, Ditching Trains & Hijacking Automobiles: true stories from the road less traveled was available for purchase. We wish her well in her new travel business. #wherewillyougo geniemetravel www.geniemetravelapp.com The book's website and link to Amazon is on this site. www.stoppingplanes.com. The app on your smart phone helps you find destinations. You plug in three items. The amount of money you have to spend, the dates you want to travel and how far you want to travel from home. Christina’s app will give you 25 suggestions of where you might want go. Christina will offer assistance too. Christina closed her talk by quoting parts of the book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. This book is a classic. “You have brains in your head you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” “The more you read the more places you will go, the more places you go the more things you will learn.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa-0yJXFeKk You can listen to the entire book Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! on youtube. Christina answered questions and provided feedback for MCV members. A wonderful presentation by a charming world traveler and global citizen. Oscar reported on Regional SON meeting in Wisconsin in October. He met the SON international president Jon Tehven who is waiting for feedback from MCV about the 2020 International Convention which is proposed for Nashville, TN. There were around forty SON members in attendance from twenty SON lodges. Oscar was able to share our concern about the lack of photos of MCV events in District 5 in the Viking magazine. Oscar also expressed his concern for women being recognized as Daughters of Norway. SON has a new logo. Look for it in the Viking magazine. Music City Vikings Lodge 5-681and the Vikings of the Smokies Lodge 5- 677 in Knoxville, TN, will plan to meet together in 2018. The meeting was adjourned. All happy MCV travelers parted ways for their travels home and the next week of adventures. MUSIC CITY VIKINGS SN 5-681 BOARD MEETING MINUTES |