The Stroklunds – Bruce, Alan, Kenneth and Paul – took part in the Honor Flight from Minot this past weekend, traveling to Washington, D.C., to see the veterans’ memorials and other sights.

They said their parents provided the subtle nudging that led to their affiliations over the years with different branches of the military. There wasn’t any overt encouragement but more of an undercurrent.

“That was more or less understood. You’re going to go into the service. Which one do you want to go into?” Bruce Stroklund said.

Paul and his wife, Pam, had taken Paul’s father, Harold, and his wife to Washington, D.C., in 2011 because the Navy veteran had declined an Honor Flight. He didn’t care for flying. He served in the Navy from April 1944-January 1946, stationed in the West Pacific Theater.

Submitted Photo Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum take a photo with members of the Honor Flight who traveled from Minot this past weekend.

He was a welder during the construction of Minot Air Force Base and later was hired as a civilian, working various positions with the Civil Engineer Squadron at the base. He retired as Civil Engineer deputy chief of Operations & Maintenance in 1978. He died in 2018.

Alan Stroklund said among his father’s sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and those who married into the family, there have been at least 32 members with military service.

Bruce Stroklund served in the Navy during the Vietnam era. He had been stationed in San Diego, Hawaii and Guam. He later served with the North Dakota Army National Guard, with the Department of Defense, largely in civil engineering at Minot AFB and Nellis AFB in Nevada and two stints with the National Guard Bureau in Minot, totaling about 33 years.

The only brother not currently living in Minot, Alan Stroklund of Apache Junction, Arizona, served 23 years in the Army, including in Vietnam and Desert Storm, and 12 years with the Department of Defense at Minot AFB.

Kenneth Stroklund was full time with the National Guard for 21 years and worked at Minot AFB for about 24 years – a combined total of almost 45 years.

Submitted Photo Paul, Kenneth, Alan and Bruce Stroklund, from left, hold the welcome home sign created by family members for their return to the Minot airport from the Honor Flight Monday.

Paul Stroklund served 30 years in the Army, with various deployments, including to Iraq in 2007-08.

As Vietnam-era veterans, Bruce and Alan Stroklund had priority for the recent Honor Flight. Paul and Kenneth Stroklund traveled as guardians to assist them.

“We all said we should try and do this together,” Paul Stroklund said. “We started two and a half years ago and it finally came together.”

Bruce Stroklund said the trip was a fantastic experience.

“It was fast-paced but it was very good,” Paul Stroklund added.

Among highlights were visiting the Capitol building and meeting North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and Interior Secretary and former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum.

They received the royal treatment while in D.C. They recalled traffic stopping during Monday morning rush hour as 10 motorcycles and six police cars escorted the four buses with veterans through. Alan Stroklund noted not only the cheering crowd upon their return to the Minot airport but the solid line of cheering people as they left the plane in Washington. The positive reception from people of all ages continued throughout their time in D.C., leaving them amazed and touched by the enthusiasm.

“It’s heartwarming to see the people,” Kenneth Stroklund said.

“It certainly gives you a better feeling for this country, especially with the young kids,” Alan Stroklund added.

Paul Stroklund, who experienced post-traumatic stress (PTSD) from his time in Iraq, remembers the homecoming from the American people, and that is what he focused on after his return.

Alan Stroklund said times changed since the guidance he received when returning from Vietnam.

“They told me to come home and sit down and don’t say anything. And I didn’t say anything,” he said. “I went back into the service because I liked the service.”

Landing in Massachusetts on the way home from Desert Storm, the first person he encountered after leaving the plane saw he had a Vietnam patch and gave him a hug. It was the start of coming to terms with what he had experienced in Vietnam and moving toward healing from PTSD. Now, he often wears a Vietnam or military hat.

“Not to get attention, not only because I’m getting thanked, but people are not going to be angry or upset. I think they realize the service that was done,” he said. “It makes you feel good for the future, for the future military people, for the people that realize we have a right to freedom and we protect that right.”