Front of Memorial Stone
Front of Memorial Stone
Back of Memorial Stone
Back of Memorial Stone
Members of Dedication Ceremony
Members of the Dedication Ceremony: Pastor Peter Horn, Mary Ralston, Lori Ternquist, Maria Vasichek, Bernie Linstad, Dr. James H. Larson, Lt. Colonel Robert Fugere, and Robert Bye.

1945 Train Crash Memorial Service

1945 Train Crash Memorial Service service was held Saturday, July 21st, at the Michigan Veteran's Park to dedicate this monument remembering those who lost their lives in a tragic train crash here on August 9, 1945.  A rear end collision occurred at 7:20 pm resulting in 34 people being killed and many more were injured, in one of the worst rail accidents that ever happened. 
                                                                                                                 

Guest speakers were Robert Bye of Custer, SD and Dr. James H. Larson of Detroit Lakes, MN. These two men wrote the official report of the crash for the Great Northern Historical Society. There were 225 people in attendance at the dedication. 14 states and 1 foreign country were represented. 


Other speakers were  Lt. Colonel Robert Fugere, Fargo and Pastor Peter Horn, Lakota. Mary Ralston and Lori Ternquist from Dahlen, ND sang three songs from the 1940's. 


Mayor Bernie Linstad read the names of the crash victims. Family members in the audience were asked to stand as their loved one's name was called. The WL Cowper Post #238 of Michigan presented and retired the colors and taps were played. 


Please stop by Michigan to see this monument. The back side of the stone tells the story of what happened that evening in 1945.