Reflections from the big Alaskan Earthquake

Tommy Grafstrom won't forget where he was on Friday, November 30, at 8:29 a.m. just seconds prior to the biggest earthquake to hit the Anchorage area since the 1964 Good Friday earthquake (9.2 magnitude), still the most powerful in U.S. history.

In a five-minute span a week ago Friday, there were back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.0 and 5.8 on the Richter Scale.

And where was Tommy G, a colorful character, a 1996 Roseau High School graduate, and a former combat veteran?

He had a front seat to history.

"We were driving in a company car and had just picked up some lights," he said, adding that...