Veteran wants to come ‘home’
But rules keep him from Soldiers RestBy Ron Larsen, Staff Writer
Article Photos
NEW ULM - The family of 82-year-old Norman Fox, a military veteran formerly of New Ulm and now living in Slayton, have found themselves in a quandary as to how to fulfill his dying wish of being buried in Soldiers' Rest section of the New Ulm Cemetery.
Fox served as a medic and a First Lieutnent in 494 MedPro Platoon, U.S. Army. He is dying from lung and brain cancer, and wants to be brought back to the town where he spent so many years and where he still has family.
When the family approached Brown County's Veteran Services Officer Greg Peterson about having him buried in Soldiers' Rest, Peterson made the determination that, as Fox was living in another county, he couldn't be laid to rest in the veterans' portion of the cemetery. According to the Rest's rules, a veteran who has moved out of the county can't be buried in any one of the three Rests in the county unless the move was the result of having to go somewhere else for medical reasons.
"Even if I wanted to, there's not much money available to the county for buying grave plots, what with the local government aid issue and everything," Peterson said.
"I supported Greg's decision," says County Administrator Chuck Enter. "We just don't have the resources to do that."
And, while the family offered to pay for the plot, they couldn't do that either because it isn't legal, Peterson noted.
However, his daughter, Cathy Fox-Dillon of Rochester, isn't giving up. She has contacted a number of sources including The Journal for help in making her case. Meanwhile, the family is petitioning the Brown County Board of Commissioners in an effort to get the decision reviewed by the commissioners themselves.
Earlier this week, Fox-Dillon filed a formal request for a hearing with the commissioners, and Enter said Wednesday the matter will be placed on the Board's agenda for its next meeting on Tuesday, July 7.
In the meantime, Enter said he planned to talk with Fox-Dillon by phone to "see if something could be worked out."
The irony of the situation, according to Fox-Dillon, is that "last January, my parents were in the process of relocating back to New Ulm and were looking for a new home to purchase," she explained.
"But, priorities changed quickly when my father was unexpectedly diagnosed [with cancer] in February. There is no doubt that my mother will be moving to New Ulm to be closer to family and friends in the very near future," Fox-Dillon said.
According to Fox-Dillon, her parents molded some firm bonds when they lived in New Ulm.
"Eight of us nine children were raised in New Ulm ... and still return for class reunions and such. My father used to work for Kraft and managed the Sears store in New Ulm. We relocated to Slayton when he purchased his own Gambles Store about 30 years ago," she explained.
"Although we have been gone for a period of time, it does not feel like it since we have considerable family ties in New Ulm, including a brother, aunts, uncles and cousins.
However, Fox-Dillon has another thing going for her as the contacts she has made have resulted in several state legislators, including State Rep.Paul Torkelson (R-Watonwan County), she said.
Supporters also include the Lyon County Veterans Services officer who, she said, called the Brown County VS office to request that "our situation be reconsidered. He was very upset with the reaction that he received and lack of support from the Brown County office."
Fox-Dillon admits that on paper "we really don't have a case as the rules say we are not a current resident. We are not looking to strong-arm anyone or break the rules, my father would never allow that, but we are asking for compassion and possible solutions or actions that we can do to cut through the red tape. It's an emotional case."
Ron Larsen can be reached at
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Marley
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06-28-09 3:21 PM
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I am so sad and sorry to recently hear of Mr Fox's lung and brain cancer. I am a classmate of one of his daughters and remember being lovingly welcomed many times into the Fox's New Ulm home while growing up. I learned of Mr Fox's wish to be buried in the Soldiers' Rest section of the New Ulm Cemetery by reading the New Ulm Journal online. I was very disappointed to read Brown County's Veteran Services Officer, Greg Peterson, and County Administrator Chuck Enter's responses. I can understand the necessity to abide by "rules", however, I hope and pray they will be compassionate and allow Mr Fox's family to fulfill his wishes. I understand the roller coaster ride families are on when dealing with cancer and I also know time is of the essence for Mr Fox. I wish Mr Fox and his family courage, strength and peace while they await the Brown County Board of Commissioners' decision, hopefully the Board will reconsider. My heartfelt love and best wishes to Mr Fox and his family.
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