Tonight was our second meeting, which featured the lecture “The 164th Infantry Regiment: History, Heroism, Heritage” by Shirley J. Olgeirson, Editor of The 164th Infantry News. It was a great evening and well attended, as about 45 people showed up, which was an awesome opportunity to share about this group and hopefully get more folks to show up to future meetings. The Grand Forks Herald did a good story on the event in today’s edition as well.
Shirley did a great job, telling the history of the 164th from its earliest days, through its harrowing service in the Pacific in World War II, and its service in Korea and end in 1955. There were some great stories shared during the talk, coupled with a great slide show presentation. After her talk, a brief period of “Q & A” was held and then attendees had the opportunity to take in the exhibit on the regiment set up in the Department of Special Collections, who helped support the event.
Attendees were able to purchase the books They Were Ready by Terry Shoptaugh (2010) and Citizens As Soldiers: A History of the North Dakota National Guard by Jerry Cooper and Glenn Smith (Paperback, 2005), and many took advantage of this.
Several friends and relatives of veterans of the 164th attended, at least one World War II veteran was present, as well as veterans of other periods. Overall, it was a great night and I want to thank Shirley for her willingness to come and speak, as well as Curt Hanson and the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections for their support of our meeting.
The War Studies Group 