During the Korean War, Bob manned the radar on forty B-29 bombing runs, including the catastrophic air battle known as Black Tuesday. On that fateful day, their mission was to destroy the Namsi air force base under construction in North Korea. During their mission, they were attacked by up to eighty Russian MiG-15 fighter jets.

Tragically, six of the nine B-29 planes failed to return home that day, making it the highest percentage of U.S. bombers ever lost on a major mission. At age 25, Bob survived this air battle, but he has carried the memories of his lost brothers in arms with him ever since.

Now 98, Bob spoke beautifully about those he fought alongside, including those who did not make it home. He has never forgotten them, and we also must recommit to never forgetting Bob or any of the Korean War veterans who served.

Hear more from Bob HERE.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please visit my website.

Additional District Highlights

This past week was again spent in the district, meeting with constituents and listening to their concerns and priorities.

I had the pleasure of stopping by Scamp Trailers in Backus to meet with the President and CEO Micah Eveland and learn more about this great Minnesota company, which has gained a large following in the 50 years since the company was started. During our meeting, we discussed the need to maintain and increase access to the great outdoors, which has allowed many Minnesota businesses like this one to thrive. Micah was recently named Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year, so I was also glad for the chance to congratulate him on that success. 

I had a blast spending time with staff and students at Hermantown Head Start. I received the PROMISE Award from the National Head Start Association for my work to support this critical program in Congress, and I will continue to do so because their commitment to developing young minds is both important and inspirational.

It was great to sit down with Tom Hauser of KSTP in the Twin Cities to talk about some of the issues that matter most to those living in Minnesota’s Eighth District. We talked about everything from mining and transportation to the southern border. To watch the full interview from Sunday’s episode of At Issue, click HERE.

I stopped by Forest Lake High School to meet with educators and learn about their Career Launch program, which provides firsthand learning opportunities to better connect students with workforce demands. In the variety of meetings I take – whether it be with someone in manufacturing, agriculture, or healthcare – the top concern I hear about is the lack of skilled workforce to fill critical jobs. I am hopeful that programs like the Career Lauch program will help address these workforce shortages.

During a meeting with representatives from the American Association of Retired Persons, I reiterated my commitment to protecting Social Security for America's seniors. 

I visited Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth to discuss the work I am doing in Congress to protect home healthcare services for seniors. I am deeply concerned that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced plans to make cuts to its home healthcare program, which could make it more difficult for patients to leave the hospital and go home with the care necessary to help them rehabilitate and recover. In the coming days, I plan to support legislation to prevent CMS from making cuts to home health. 

Thank you to President of St. Scholastica Barbara McDonald and Dean of Strategic Development Rick Revoir for giving me a tour of the new student center that is currently under construction.