02/20/2026
CHI Health at Home - Bismarck and the We Honor Veterans program had the honor and privilege to award Clarence F. a Quilt of Honor during his Veteran Pinning ceremony. Corpus Christi Caring Hearts Quilt Guild specially made the quilt. His daughters, Clare M. and Mary A., were honored to participate in his wrapping.
Clarence enlisted in the United States Army in September 1955. He completed his basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He was then sent to Fort Benning, Georgia where he finished out his military service. Clarence proudly served his country and was honorably discharged in September 1957. His rank at discharge was SP-3. After the marches, practices, occasional guard duty and driving the Company Commander around the base in an army jeep, Clarence spent most of his time doing office duty in the supply department.
He earned a sharpshooter badge for the M3 carbine and practiced on and fired the 105mm howitzer.
Clarence has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since October 1954, The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Lodge, and the Amvets.
Clarence shared a couple memories: When he left for basic training, instead of getting on a bus, he jumped on a box car train and rode that to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. On the way they stopped at Mobridge, SD, the middle door opened and everyone jumped out! Not the most comfortable mode of transportation from North Dakota to Arkansas!
In February 1956, during a training exercise in Arkansas, Clarence had to spend the night in a tent at a mission. Being a tough North Dakotan, he thought how hard can that be, it’s Arkansas. Clarence reported he was never so cold in his life!!!
On behalf of the United States and CHI Health at Home - Bismarck We Honor Veterans program, Clarence thank you for your service and sacrifices!