The Rest of the Story on Private Oscar Johnson

by Jeff Olsen

It's such an unusual spot to hang a grave marker, but what was Roseau County Veterans Service Officer Martin "Marty" Howes supposed to do?

"Oscar's daughter came to see me. She had parked in the back. She's a very petite little lady and older, but not that old, and she carried that marker into my office. They're made out of bronze and they're heavy, probably 40 pounds or better," he said.

"She brought it into my office. It had been damaged, and she wanted to get a replacement for it," he said, recalling everything from six years ago.

"It was my first or second day on the job. Tha...