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How We Started
By: Tom Hosier (Co-Founder)
The World War II Round Table in Rochester, Minnesota was the brainstorm of Scott Hosier (co-founder), a high school teacher and historian. He invited WWII vets to speak to his Social Studies classes on Veteran's Day, interviewed many veterans to learn first hand about their experiences and enjoyed attending the World War II Round Table meetings at Fort Snelling.
In July 2004, he organized a meeting at the History Center of Olmsted County. Forty-two people attended this meeting and encouraged a Round Table to be formed. The plan was made for 45 minute presentation by a veteran followed by questions and answers with volunteers bringing treats for a social time after the program. The goals of the group were to honor the veterans who sacrificed for our country's freedoms and hear their stories first hand. The meetings were scheduled from September through June.
The first speaker, Russ Gunvalson, talked to 63 about his capture at the Battle of the Bulge and being a POW. Roy Watson, the second speaker, spoke to 72 people of his experiences on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Howard Flen came next, telling 83 people about the Battle of the Huertgen Forest. Dick Klobuchar then presented a program on Pearl Harbor with Albert Pruett sharing his personal experience while on the USS Pennsylvania. Attendance had grown to 93. Don Monson gave information on the 82nd Airborne, Frank Kinney talked about surviving two sinkings in the Pacific, Sidney Ronningen talked about his experiences in New Guinea, Tom Ostrom explained the role of the Coast Guard, and Len Jansen and Bernie Tlougan talked about medical aid for troops in the pacific and France. By May, attendance had broken the 100 mark when Henry Bartel talked about the USS Indianapolis and a survivor, Duke Pasket, gave his amazing story.
The 2005-2006 program year started with Glen Miller, a Marine who served in WWII. Yogi Pusch, a German soldier from the Eastern Front, spoke to a packed house of 115 with standing room only. Starting with this program all programs are video taped with a copy for HCOC and for the presenter.
The Princess Cafe at the HCOC was chosen as a new location and Galen Kittleson spoke about the Alamo Scouts. In December 2005, attendees voted to change the name of the Round Table to the "Scott Hosier World War II Round Table" in recognition of Scott's visionary efforts.
Other speakers that program year were Howard Flen talking about the Battle of the Bulge, Marc Carpenter speaking on flying PBYs, John Wees reminiscing about serving on the USS Mugford, Frank Michaels sharing his experience in the Canadian Army, Tom Brinkman reporting on U.S. Fighter Design, and photographer Walt Halloran talking about his D-Day experiences at Normandy.
In March 2006, Col. Mikhail Geykhman, with the help of an interpreter, talked about his experiences as a Russian soldier to 153 people. The Round Table had out grown even the Princess Cafe!
Scott Hosier's original plan had been to first learn from the World War II vets, then continue with the Korean veterans' experiences. Ken Thamert, a Korean vet, was added as Sergeant at Arms to facilitate this process. To accommodate the larger audiences, the meeting place was moved to the Educational Center of Christ United Methodist Church. The second Monday of the month was selected for the meetings and the start time stayed at 7pm. A $2 donation was suggested to help meet expenses.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the Round Table meetings. The program videos are played on Cable Channel 10 on the Thursday following each program at 10pm, and the following Sunday at 8:30pm.
