Melroy Fred Wiskow was born August 22, 1931, the 5th of six children to Marshall and Viona (Paulson) Wiskow at their home in Section 10 of Huss Township, Roseau County, Minnesota. I grew up there and attended school across the road and to the east. I helped milk cows, farm, saw lumber and grew to manhood.

I received my draft notice on June 10, 1953 to report for my military physical at 6 a.m. in Roseau, where I would travel to Fargo, North Dakota on June 16. I passed my physical and was ordered to report back to Fargo on July 22, 1953. I spent eight weeks in basic training at Fort Leonard...