Over the years, starting just under three decades after the war, my grandfather Frank G.S. Erickson began to participate in Lost Battalion Reunions. They were held in New York City and other parts of the country. Below are the blue ribbons from the 1945, 1955, 1956 and 1958 reunions Frank attended.

Frank was at the Bismarck (ND) Airport on September 24th, 1962, heading to a Lost Battalion Reunion in New York City, something he was looking forward to catching up with some of his old buddies.

In the photograph below Frank smiles, as his daughter, Dian Marcella (Boutrous) Erickson gives her dad a kiss. Along with Frank's wife Clara Amelia (Nelson) and various family members, all were there to send Frank off in style.

Frank was interviewed at the airport by a reporter for the Bismarck Tribune and in response to a query concerning how the Lost Battalion survived their intense ordeal between October 2nd through the 8th of 1918, Frank responded:

"Because of a pigeon."

So concise and very Frank. Indeed Cher Ami, the Signal Corps pigeon saved the day for the men of the 77th Division surrounded by Germans in the Meuse Argonne in France. Even though the Germans did all they could to stop Cher Ami's flight and despite serious injuries inflicted, he made it to headquarters with the message that read:

We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heavens sake stop it.

The friendly fire artillery shelling from allied troops who had not known the 77th's location would finally stop soon after Cher Ami's message arrived at headquarters. The surviving men dealt with the aftermath, took care of the wounded and the dead. They continued to hold their position against the almost constant harassment from the Germans. The men were desperate, yet continued on.

What was left of the 77th held out until the 8th of October, when 194 remaining men of the 554 men that entered into 'the pocket' of the Meuse Argonne were able to escape.

Despite it all, the serious loss of men, running low on food, water and ammunition the men of the 77th held their ground. They caused enough of a distraction for other Allied units to break through the German lines, which forced the Germans to retreat.

With that very action, the 'Lost Battalion' moves in our minds from myth to legend. Their many accomplishments during their arduous time in the Argonne will never be forgotten.

In the end, Frank's well deserved rest came when he arrived back home in Dakota. Looking at the photograph below of my grandfather relaxing, I like to think of him rocking back and forth, enjoying a nice quiet blue skied day.