Perrie Sheldon

Commander Perrie SheldonPhone: (218) 736-4590

It was a warm summer day in 1944 when the draft notice came to Perrie Sheldon.His wife had just given birth to their second son, and by the time that son had his first birthday, Sheldon was in Germany.

Stories like this abound across the nation, but hearing them first hand has become rare.

Sheldon, drafted in July 1944, was soon in basic training in Arkansas and then earning his jump wings in Georgia.

"They told us how good the airborne was," Sheldon said, remembering the group's recruiting methods with a chuckle.
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"You never really called anybody," said Sheldon."Not like today.
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After the war, Sheldon said he tried to get in touch with some of the guys that he served with, but said he didn't have any luck.

"Tried to find a bunch of the guys all over Minnesota," he said."I just never could really find any of them."

He made trips to Bemidji to search out a buddy named Bruce whose wife corresponded by post with his wife, Lucille.But all of his trips were for naught, he said.

Also after the war, Sheldon has tried to stay active with the veterans by helping to establish the Otter Tail County Veterans Drive and was a founder of the Walk of Flags.He has served in the VFW as Chaplain and American Legion as one of the vice commanders, as well as being the past commander of the Disabled American Veterans.

"I help were I can," said Sheldon.

Perrie Sheldon, left, chaplain and Robert Gadow, past commander of VFW Post 612 in Fergus Falls accepted a flag Wednesday from Brenda and Daniel Bobence.