Two veterans noted for longevity with Legion

A couple of local veterans have been recognized for their longevity as members of a local American Legion post.

Bruce Jensen, of Bridgewater, and Dean Cass, of Fontanelle, both 91, were given certificates recently as 60- and 50-year members, respectively, of Carlson American Legion Post 247 of Fontanelle. Both are Korean Conflict veterans.

Jensen served in the U.S. Army, voluntarily enlisting in 1955. He spent two years serving, taking basic training in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and advanced infantry training at Fort Ord, California.

“I was supposed to go to Korea. They put us on a troop train to take us up to Fort Lewis, Washington, to ship out of there but on the way up they decided they didn’t need any troops over there,” Jensen said. “I spent my last 15-16 months in Fort Lewis, Washington.”

Besides farming, Jensen spent many years as manager of Farmers Lumber Company in Fontanelle after he returned home.

Jensen said being a part of the American Legion has meant a lot to him through the years. He has served as a color guard member for the post and was once a part of the popular drill team the post had.

Cass served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954-58 in the artillery in Japan. He served during the Korean Conflict, but his training took the Navy ships he was on to various islands where they more or less retraced maneuvers that had been done during World War II.

Throughout the years, Cass has served on the Carlson Post’s color guard and said he has benefited greatly from his time with the organization.

When he came home, Cass was a hired man for Max and Beulah Lynch, and then they became farming partners. Cass eventually took over the operation, which he operates now northwest of Fontanelle.

“It’s good to get together and talk with people who have gone through what you’ve gone through,” Cass said. “We’re all getting older and we’re not as active of a post as we used to be, but we still always have services for those who pass on.”