Images of Freedom: New exhibit honors North Dakota veterans

DICKINSON, N.D. (KFYR) - Unless you served on the ground in the military, you can’t understand what it was like. But pictures can at least paint part of the story.

A new exhibit tells the story of some North Dakota veterans who served in wars all the way back to the Spanish-American War. It’s on display at the Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center in Dickinson.

Cherie Roshau has spent the past four months gathering these photos and stories.

“I was hoping for 100,” said Roshau.

She ended up with 260 photos of veterans, all of them with ties to southwest North Dakota. They are now on display at the Southwest Art Gallery and Science Center in Dickinson.

“There are 260 stories, because each photograph has a story,” she said.

Stories of veterans like Bruce Jessen and Art Wanner.

“I enlisted,” recalled Wanner, who spent more than 30 years in the North Dakota National Guard. “I had just graduated from college. I was 21.”

And stories of veterans like Nathan Goodiron.

“They were so handsome, in the war bonnets,” said Nathan’s mom, Harriet Goodiron, while looking at photos in the display.

This photo display brought back nearly 20 years of emotions for Harriet.

“It just gets those emotions going. It’s one of pride and it’s one of missing him and everything all together,” she said.

Nathan was killed in action in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving Day 2006.

“I prayed every day for him to come home,” said Harriet.

Now, she prays for other veterans: for those who are still serving, for those who have come home and for those who never will. She also prays for understanding.

“I just ask that everyone can look at it, our military, our veterans, in a different light for the sacrifices that they made for us and for our freedom,” she said.

Veterans and organizers hope this collection of photographs might help start conversations and healing.

“We want them to know that freedom is not free. Somebody paid the price,” said Jessen, who served as an Army medic in Vietnam.

It’s a price captured here in these photographs and stories and a true display of service, sacrifice and freedom.

“Images of Freedom” will be on display through August. The Southwest District Art Gallery and Science Center is located at 99 2nd St. E in Dickinson. For more information, contact swartandscience@gmail.com.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 12, at 4 p.m. MDT. It is free and open to the public.

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