Desert Messenger

18 www.DesertMessenger.com September 20, 2023 NOTICE to Advertisers: Please check your ad(s). Errors/corrections must be submitted before deadline, to be published in the next available edition of the Desert Messenger. DEADLINES are printed - in multiple locations - in EVERY issue of the Desert Messenger! For rates and deadlines visit www.DesertMessenger.com Nancy's Kitchen COLA CHICKEN • 1 cup cola (not diet) • 1 cup ketchup • 1 onion, sliced • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast Wash and pat dry chicken. Salt and pepper to taste. Place chicken into crockpot with onion slices on top. Add cola and ketchup. . Cover; cook on low 6-8 hours Serve with rice, potatoes & salad PAN FRIED CAULIFLOWER Caulifl ower 1 to 2 Beaten Eggs Salt & Pepper Parmesan cheese Olive Oil Steam caulifl ower fl orets to crisp- tender. Dip one side in egg with salt and pepper, dip in Parmesan cheese, and pan-fry in olive oil un- til golden. Serve hot or room tem- perature. A family secret recipe... now not-so-secret! In Memoriam too much junk? CLEAN OUT THAT GARAGE List your items in Desert Messenger CLASSIFIEDS Email Editor@DesertMessenger.com or CALL RAIN @ 928-916-4235 VIRGIL BYRON ROCKSTAD 9/23/1922 – 7/24/2023 It is diffi cult to distill the life of a 100 year old man down to a few paragraphs--particularly a man who, born in 1922, participated in historical events that defi ned our world order for generations. Vir- gil Byron Rockstad was part of the Greatest Generation of Americans. He lived and survived the Great De- pression and World War II, as a par- ticipant, and kept many of the things he witnessed to himself for much of his life. He died in the arms of his son and best friend, "Little Byron" Rockstad, on July 24, 2023. Those that knew Byron well re- member him for his strength and vitality. They also knew him to be supremely healthy; one of those pro- totypical centenarians, hardened by the trials of youth unique to the time in which he lived, and who seemed always to be well, strong, and in good stead with those powers that defi ne human existence. It was his Norse heritage and Viking strength that propelled him perpetually for- ward, in spite of the diffi culties of the times in which he lived. Byron knew struggle intimately during his youth. Born Septem- ber 23, 1922 to Severin and Mabel Rockstad in Walcott North Dakota, Byron lost his father in a tragic au- tomobile accident when he was only 9 years old. His mother, brother and two sisters left North Dakota in 1932. Their journey took them west, to the small community of Puyallup, Washington. Byron picked berries and, in 7th grade, chose his paper route over school because the fam- ily needed money. Byron joined the Coast Guard in 1941 and served in the Asia-Pacifi c theatre in numerous engagements and battles. He was baptized by fi re on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Har- bor, Hawaii. He kept this fact to himself for decades until, as a very old man with failing speech, he fi - nally began to speak about what he had seen and done in World War II. At 7:48 AM on this date, the Impe- rial Japanese Navy attacked. By- ron was surrounded by what must have been terrible fury and chaos. Later in the war, while serving on the LST 71 in the South Pacifi c the- atre, Byron saw the gunner on his ship's three -inch gun go down. He climbed into the gunner's seat and joined the battle. The ship was tak- ing fi re and Byron could see Kami- kaze pilots dropping out of the sky. Although for us modern-day histo- rians it is diffi cult to be left with out details about rounds fi red and kills during such an epic struggle, Byron left us with one sensational detail: he shot a Kamikaze plane out of the sky and saved his ship. Back home, after his service in the Coast Guard and Merchant Marines ended, Byron met Arlene. This be- loved woman bore him three chil- dren and was his partner in life for many years. Byron was Byron, and this did not always translate into a husband who wanted to help much in his home. But that he considered Ar- lene his beacon of light until the day he died was shown during her times of illness. He stayed faithfully by her side until the day she had to go. Byron's successes in business and the outdoors are well-chronicled in oral history that will live on for years. His family had the unique experience in summer 2022, along with friends and distant relatives, to spend time with each other in Lib- by, Montana for his 100th birthday. All who attended (including some who had never met him before) marveled at what a unique man he was, to have lived so long and done what he did. Byron's children—Di- ane, Judy, and Byron, Jr. together with in-laws and grandchildren, all survive him and embrace the many vivid memories of the remarkable man they knew as their father and grandfather. He spent many win- ters and springs in Quartzsite and has many friends in the area. DEADLINE : WED. OCT 1 1 TH for Oct 18 th edition Desert Messenger News Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com

• Cover