World War II veteran shares stories from the frontlines
Drafted during World War II, Don Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm.
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Drafted during World War II, Don Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm.
Many of the soldiers on the front lines in World War II are no longer with us. But one of those veterans, born and raised in south Minneapolis, turned 102 on Feb. 24.
Technical Sergeant Don Halverson celebrated 102 years of life with his fellow soldiers on Monday.
Feb. 10 marked a huge and happy milestone for one veteran in Excelsior.
A special birthday was held in Excelsior for World War II veteran and Twin Cities native Ralph Peebles.
It is believed the area where the playground was initially built was used as a Home Guard training ground and the bombs were buried at the end of the war.
Survivors of the Nazi's notorious Auschwitz death camp are taking center stage at the memorial service to mark 80 years since its liberation by Soviet troops.
Reynolds Tomter recalled spending the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France.
On this Veterans Day, we're sharing the story of the oldest World War II veteran to spend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. Reynolds Tomter lives in western Wisconsin and as John Lauritsen found, the 107-year-old couldn't wait to get back to France.
A few months ago, Les Schrenk, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, made his first trip to Normandy, France in June. Earlier this month, he shared his thoughts on what he's calling a "once in a lifetime" experience.
A 101-year-old soldier helped win World War II, but more recently he's taken his talents to the internet.
The ceremony caps off several days of remembrance and reflection at Normandy. Minnesotans have been a big part of it — that includes 100-year-old Jim Rasmussen of East Bethel.
People from around the world gathered today in Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. That invasion put America on the path to victory in the second World War and changed the course of history. WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles joined Minnesota veterans, and active service members, for the ceremony to mark this milestone.
After training at Fort Des Moines, Florence Cecere became a nurse's aide at Northington General Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, taking care of the men severely injured on the front lines.
One-hundred-year-old Les Schrenk doesn't have time for his usual morning water aerobics or afternoon bike rides this week. That's because the World War II veteran is more than 4,000 miles from his Bloomington home, making his first-ever visit to Normandy.
All week, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles are in Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. They’ve been talking with World War II veterans from Minnesota who made the trip overseas. Among them is 100-year-old Les Schrenk from Bloomington. We caught up with him at Omaha Beach where the former POW honored the sacrifice of so many American soldiers who never made it home.
Virgil survived the Allied invasion, but just eight days after arriving in France, he was killed by Germans while trying to rescue a fellow soldier from a burning truck.
Virgil Tangborn is a soldier from northern Minnesota who never made it home. But as John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles share, he left a lasting impression on the people he helped liberate.
This week marks 80 years since the D-Day invasion. It's a day many Minnesota World War II veterans will never forget. To share their stories, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles traveled to France to meet up with some local veterans making the trip to Normandy 80 years later.
All week on WCCO, we'll be sharing stories from that day as reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
American paratroopers played a key role in the D-Day assault 80 years ago. Now, some U.S. congressmen are preparing to honor their sacrifice in a high-flying way.
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, a turning point in World War II that helped bring victory to the allies in Europe. All week, reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will share stories from that day as they make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
All this week, John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will be in France, bringing us stories of Minnesota veterans who took part in World War II. Some of those veterans will be taking part in the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6. John Lauritsen gives us a preview of the type of stories we can expect.
Three C-47 transport planes, a workhorse of World War II, dropped three long strings of jumpers, their round chutes mushrooming open in the blue skies with puffy white clouds.
A group of World War II veterans flew out of Wisconsin this week on their way Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The crash happened around 7:21 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 252 and Humboldt Avenue, according to the Brooklyn Park Police Department.
At 63 years old, Mike Orr is finally dedicating time to a passion he once had to set aside.
Dr. Peter Marks said that the deaths of unvaccinated children is "just not acceptable."
There's a chance for a few light showers Sunday, but there will still be plenty of dry time under a mostly cloudy sky.
President Trump underwent the physical on Friday at Walter Reed Hospital.
The crash happened around 7:21 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 252 and Humboldt Avenue, according to the Brooklyn Park Police Department.
Calls are growing for a South St. Paul councilwoman to resign — or face a recall.
Several Minnesota companies are adapting to how they do business due to the ongoing tariff concerns.
The South St. Paul Police Department say they have a suspect in custody after discovering a man inside a residence who had died from an apparent gunshot wound.
Police in Anoka, Minnesota are asking the public for help in locating Brandon Stott, 40, who has been reported missing since Thursday.
At 63 years old, Mike Orr is finally dedicating time to a passion he once had to set aside.
A 46-year-old man has died after crashing his motorcycle Saturday afternoon.
Two adults were found dead inside a home in Waite Park on Saturday, police say.
Police in Anoka, Minnesota are asking the public for help in locating Brandon Stott, 40, who has been reported missing since Thursday.
A fire in Perham, Minnesota, Friday morning has left a property management business heavily damaged.
As the days get longer, they are getting warmer. And while Minnesota doesn't get as hot as other parts of the country, heat still causes problems.
You could feel pain at the pump if a pipeline just west of Minnesota doesn't get up and running again soon.
An assistant district attorney in Wisconsin faces multiple felony charges after allegedly telling a coworker three judges "need to bleed" for ruling against him.
A Brooklyn Park, Minnesota man has been charged after a Blue Plate Restaurant Company co-owner was killed by a driver while on a motorcycle Sunday.
A Wisconsin man is cycling towards a cure for Parkinson's disease. Dozens of bikers are set to take off in an annual Wisconsin fundraiser called Peloton4Parkinson's at the end of April.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick and Ludacris are slated to headline Taste of Minnesota this year.
Low enrollment at Chelsea Heights Elementary School has impacted funding for music and arts programs, leaving staff to figure out how they will still deliver creative classes for students.
Avianah Drakeford was born with sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder that negatively affects how blood moves around the body. It's not life-threatening, but it is life-altering.
Yolanda Saldívar was denied parole, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles confirmed in a statement posted to its webpage.
An elementary school student used a school bus radio to get help for a driver suffering from a medical condition while on their route home from school in central Minnesota, according to officials.
One in four Minnesotans live under Homeowners Associations. There is a major bipartisan push at the state Capitol to change HOA regulations. Esme Murphy talked about the bill with Rep. Kristen Bahner, a DFL Representative from Maple Grove.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers' phones are ringing off the hook with calls about tariffs. Democratic Congresswoman Kelly Morrison joins WCCO's Esme Murphy to talk about what they've been hearing from constituents.
Dr. Peter Marks said that the deaths of unvaccinated children is "just not acceptable."
President Trump underwent the physical on Friday at Walter Reed Hospital.
An internal government document proposes significant changes for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hitting its research functions hardest.
Tim Hughes, owner of Maverick's Roast Beef, has purchased an 80-year-old Dairy Queen in an attempt to breathe new life into an iconic piece of Roseville, Minnesota history.
You could feel pain at the pump if a pipeline just west of Minnesota doesn't get up and running again soon.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is letting Twin Cities residents know that a number of flight patterns may be temporarily different during two separate, weeks-long stretches this year.
Despite thousands of miles and an ocean between them, some Minnesota businesses rely on deals with China.
The tool breaks down how much money has been cut, or could be cut, and from what programs.
Leaked audio from a December 2021 meeting between Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a group including now-convicted defendants in the Feeding Our Future fraud case is leading Republican lawmakers to call for further investigation.
The South St. Paul Police Department say they have a suspect in custody after discovering a man inside a residence who had died from an apparent gunshot wound.
A University of Minnesota graduate student appeared in court on Friday in Minneapolis, two weeks after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office says a 20-year-old man stole a 2021 Honda CRV and used Wite-Out to turn an "L" on the license plate into an "I".
A man accused of sexual assault escaped from an eastern Minnesota jail early Thursday, but is back in custody, authorities said.
Enriquez lives with chronic kidney disease, neurofibromatosis, which causes tumors to form, scoliosis and Raynaud's phenomenon, causing temporary spasms of blood vessels. On top of all that, she has an unnamed genetic disorder,
The number of expiring licenses for EMS staff continues to outnumber the number of people applying for new licenses. And it's been that way every year since 2020.
Arkansas, Hawaii and Indiana have joined a list of two dozen states with confirmed measles cases.
As the days get longer, they are getting warmer. And while Minnesota doesn't get as hot as other parts of the country, heat still causes problems.
Lyme disease gets a lot of attention, but as there's been an uptick in deer tick numbers over the years, another illness has caught officials' eyes.
When F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote "The Great Gatsby" at the height of the roaring '20s, he couldn't possibly realize that the book would emerge as one of the very top contenders for "the great American novel."
The lineup for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival was unveiled Thursday morning, and includes a mix of names familiar to the competition alongside some relative newcomers.
Hometown hip-hop act Atmosphere is set to play the Minnesota State Fair's Grandstand this summer.
Jay North, who starred on TV's "Dennis the Menace" for four seasons starting in 1959, has died.
Nintendo has announced a June 5 launch date for its latest gaming console, the Switch 2.
Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair totaled five saves and Sean Johnson stopped the only shot he faced for Toronto FC in a scoreless draw.
Jackson Jobe pitched six shutout innings to earn his first major league win as the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-0.
A Minneapolis teacher is helping high school basketball players get one more look from college coaches.
Nazem Kadri scored his 32nd goal of the season on a second-period power play and the Calgary Flames beat Minnesota 4-2 on Friday night to prevent the Wild from clinching a playoff spot Friday night.
Rudy Gobert matched his career high with 35 points and had 11 rebounds for Minnesota in a 117-91 victory over the Brooklyn Nets that put the Timberwolves on the brink of a top-six finish that would avoid the play-in games.
The president of the Minnesota Farmers Union says members are hurting due to the president’s actions.
J.P. Morgan revised its prediction for a recession to 60% for this year.
Minnesota currently receives $23 billion in federal aid per year accounting for 35% of the state's revenue.
In a state where citizens own their own NFL franchise, Professor Anthony Chergosky says it was Elon Musk and his giveaways that turned the race into a referendum that was less about President Trump and more about Musk himself.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court currently has a 4-3 liberal majority, with one of the liberal justices retiring, the balance of the court is at stake.
April 15 will be the 113th anniversary of the day the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic, taking with it 1,500 lives. From news to movies, people still marvel over what happened.
It's sap-tapping season in our state. In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how an Otter Tail County man landed in the Maple Syrup Hall of Fame.
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows how one group is unearthing a bit of history.
South of Hastings, Minnesota, there's a town without a single resident and there are businesses that don't sell a single thing. Yet people can't wait to visit, and once here, they don't want to leave.
Lovers of old-school records in the Twin Cities, listen up: you can get a record made in your own backyard.
Being married has its benefits, but a new study found that staying single late in life might actually be better for your brain.
Professor David Geary, a cognitive scientist and evolutionary psychologist, has researched the topic of heights and says humans have been getting taller.
Artificial dyes made using chemicals and are thus regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to ensure their safety. But do we need them?
With just a click of the mouse or tap on your phone, many have felt a rush of embarrassment.
The right amount of protein varies for each person depending on factors like gender, age, activity level and use of weight loss medication or supplements.
A spring snowstorm dropped several inches of plowable snow overnight in the Twin Cities and other parts of Minnesota.
Six Minnesota Vikings made the initial roster for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, the most in 15 years.
Regions Hospital and Children's Minnesota share photos of their tiniest patients dressed to the nines for Halloween.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Thursday night due to the arrival of a severe geomagnetic storm.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Monday night.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says some isolated thunderstorms are popping up in the southern part of the state, but the day will remain mostly dry.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
There's a chance for a few light showers Sunday, but there will still be plenty of dry time under a mostly cloudy sky.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says there will be a few light showers today.
Scattered rain for Sunday. Monday will see rain chances and cooler temps. Lisa Meadows breaks down what to expect the rest of the weekend and heading into the work week.
Alex Merritt, also known as the love engineer, joins WCCO's Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield to talk about an exciting event happening Sunday.
A day at the ballpark is an American tradition, and the St. Paul Saints are making sure everyone can enjoy it.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says some isolated thunderstorms are popping up in the southern part of the state, but the day will remain mostly dry.
For some, retirement can be a time of uncertainty. Full of questions about how to stay productive and find purpose. But for one South Haven, Minnesota, man, retirement was just the beginning. With a welding torch in hand, he's bringing life to forgotten metal, creating truly unique sculptures. Photojournalist Joe Van Ryn and Adam Duxter take us there.
Esme Murphy has the latest headlines and updates from WCCO.com.