I found part of the story on the reunion of the North Dakota State University Gold Star Band offensive. There was no "down time" from 1944-48. The band was active under the direction of Edward J. Schroepfer those four years, and except a year in the army, I was in the band.
Sure, it was hard to find players at times; the whole student body was 300 in 1944. I was moved from cornet to French horn, and later to tuba, to fill a spot. We played concerts and for games. I was loaned to the Fargo Elks for a parade, as some of them were away also.
But the Gold Star Band continued without "down time" and deserved recognition in your article. Me, my lungs won't blow a horn any more, so I chose not to attend the reunion, but I expected a better report in The Forum.
Frederick Kingdom
Wahpeton, N.D.
