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On an unusually nice winter Sunday

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The McGregor Lions Club is seeking help from the community to identify all of the 11 men who joined the military after hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor while playing a game of football at McGregor’s Cannon Park. (Photo by Audrey Posten)

Group hopes to identify, honor local men who joined military after hearing about Pearl Harbor while playing football together

By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor

For 75 years, McGregorites have heard a story telling of a unique show of friendship and patriotism following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

“On an unusually nice winter Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, there was a group of 11 young men playing a game of touch football in what is known as Cannon Park in McGregor,” explained resident Lyle Troester. “It was a great day for these young friends from all around the immediate area to bond in a friendly game. When one of the young men went for a drink of water across the street at what was known as Butterfield’s Station, the radio announced the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This group of young men didn’t really comprehend where Pearl Harbor was, but they all understood the words ‘duty’ and ‘honor.’”

Over the next six months, Troester said, all 11 men enlisted in the military.

“Serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force, these young men unselfishly gave of themselves so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” he added.

Troester said he heard the story from the late Richard Staples, who was one of the 11 men. He was also a well-known area historian and active with the McGregor Historical Museum.

“Richard told that story many times,” he noted.

Former McGregor store owner Mark Russo had the idea of commemorating the event with a plaque in the park, Troester said, but the dream never materialized.

Today, Troester and his fellow members of the McGregor Clan Lions Club hope to fulfill the idea of honoring those 11 young men, recognizing the piece of local history before it’s forgotten.

There’s just one problem. Only eight of the 11 men have been identified.

Three—Tommy Huebsch, Tommy Omar and Lloyd Hickman—were killed in action. Staples, Don Parker, Hank Hendrickson, Harry Knapp and Willis Hultgren all took part in the game and returned to the area following World War II.

Michelle Pettit, director at the McGregor Public Library and one of Troester’s fellow Lions, dove into research, attempting to identify the three remaining football players-turned soldiers. She’s been cross-reviewing the list of area World War II soldiers in the veterans register compiled by the McGregor Historical Society/McGregor Rifles, Ltd., and maintained by Lowell Siegele. She’s tried to narrow the list by looking at the school classes.

“There are a lot more [names] than I thought,” she said of the list, which includes roughly 150 names. “In some classes, every single guy served. It’s just amazing how many served in World War II.”

Some service members listed have enough information included to rule them out, especially if they began serving prior to Pearl Harbor, Pettit said. 

“But once in awhile, you come across someone without any information, so you just don’t know,” she said.

The Lions hope community members, as well as former residents or family members who moved away, can help identify the remaining three men. Pettit said the list of veterans will be available at the library for people to check.

“We’re hoping this trips people’s memories,” Pettit said. “They’ll recall ‘Oh, I remember dad talking about that.’”

Troester said those with any information can contact him at (563) 873-2506. 

Troester said, once the plaque is completed, it will be placed in the park, also known as Peace Park, in deep gratitude of all the local men and women who served over the years.

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