USS Arikara - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

USS Arikara

Veterans from across the country recently gathered to commemorate a vivid memory of the past.
Kelli Volk reports on the reunion in New Town for Navy veterans who worked aboard the USS Arikara.
It was a celebration that called U.S. Navy Veterans from all across the country to reunite....a commemoration of the USS Arikara...a warship named after the Arikara tribe.
Veteran Timothy Schulte drove 1100 miles to take part in the celebration and called the experience humbling.
(Timothy Schulte, Navy Veteran)"Some of us had to take our uniforms off at the airports because people were very anit-Vietnam War.  And to get this reception from the people years and years later is very touching and brought some tears to our eyes back at the reception."
The USS Arikara was constructed in 1942 and saw a lot in its day...beginning in World War II and all the way through the Vietnam War.
Although it was retired over 40 years ago, it seems to be an unforgettable ship.
Veteran Bob Chady remembers every detail of his time spent on the USS Arikara.
(Bob Chady, Navy Veteran)"The tour on the USS Arikara was by far the most interesting and rewarding, largely, because it was a small group of guys."
Whether the job was to tow another ship or rescue others at sea, the warship and the crew members seemed to always be up for the challenge, or, as some veterans called it, Arikara Ready.
Schulte says commemorating the USS Arikara will remain in his memory bank forever.
(Timothy Schulte, Navy Veteran)"I'll never forget this.  And to see some of my fellow shipmates who I haven't seen in 43 to 44 years, it's been really touching."

In New Town, Kelli Volk, KX News.
The celebration took place in the Arikara Room at the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge in New Town.