To the editor:

Two vets helped pull a fifth wheel camper from New Mexico before Thanksgiving. 10 p.m. they arrived at New Ulm’s Green Mill. Their stay and meal at the motor inn was well received. The morning’s drive to the farm at Sleepy Eye saw southern Minnesota lay bare; crops harvested, land tilled, lawns mowed, streets cleaned, no traffic, farms organized, trees leafless and buildings of all shapes looked new.

After the trailer was positioned on the farm, we then went to the James Gang {Younger brothers} capture site. Lake Hanska shore line was a treat with eagle nests. The guests were impressed with the prosperous visual clues. One question, “How come the land is so black?” Well, this is where the wealth comes from, underlying glacial clay nutrients. The new Minnesota Capitol renovation found a phrase, “Minnesota, bread basket to the world.” Wealth of the land drew a gang from Missouri to Minnesota. The immigrants came to work and they came to take. The takers met an armed citizenry at Northfield and again an armed volunteer farmer posse stepped forward from Madelia. Fourteen years earlier the first volunteer group called the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment saved the National Capitol at Gettysburg in the first battle of the Civil War.

The vets knew the signs of the times. It was hoped that the UN Agenda sending unvetted, unoathed immigrants to Minnesota on a policy of spreading the wealth/poverty around is not similar to a gang of takers. The cities of Rochester, St. Cloud, Mankato and Minneapolis/St. Paul are at a max of welfare and unassimulation following Europe. The citizenry of Albuquerque is accustomed to barred doors and windows. One fast food establishment takes no cash after 8 p.m. The guests looked favorably upon the sunny windless fall day’s exposure to this land laid bare. Escorted to Madelia, where Highway 60 would lead to the Southwest, we shook hands for their departure.

Feeling proud and elated, I drove around this harvested land laid bare, manicured, yet wild places looked wild with life. Driving by Sleepy Eye Lake, a young eagle flew low overhead. I stopped to watch as it flew over the ice and clasped something, where it flew low to the South side into a large tree. It stood tall then lowered its head to its claw, it was his thanksgiving too.

John C. Kolbe

Sleepy Eye