February 2012 Gem Lake Newsletter

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Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 The details of the city's contract with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department were discussed at a productive meeting with Sheriff Matt Bostrom and members of his top level management staff. The meeting was held on January 26 at Heritage Hall. Mayor Bob Uzpen and City Council Member Gretchen Artig-Swomley represented Gem Lake at the meeting. The Mayor outlined the city's expectations for the year ahead, which included an emphasis on traffic enforcement (see story beginning on page 1) and more sheriff patrols whenever possible. Of the meeting Sheriff Bostrom said "We are proud to serve the residents of Gem Lake. Thank you for taking the time to provide your recommendations on ways we can improve service." Mayor Bob said he was also very appreciate of the time the department took out of busy schedules to be there and to listen. Mayor Meets With Sheriff's Department Long time Gem Lake resident was a newsletter editor's dream. He had a storehouse a funny stories and a memory like a steel trap. I interviewed Lloyd many times over the last six years, whenever I needed someone who could remember the details of Gem Lake's colorful past. He was always a delight to chat with. Lloyd left us February 1, survived by his loving wife Madonna, his spouse of 64 years, and nine children, who he and Madonna raised in a modest house in Gem Lake. Here reprinted in his memory, is an interview I did of him to celebrate Veterans Day in 2008. Lloyd LaBore was only 17 years old when he left his family in Gem Lake and joined the U.S. Navy. It was late 1942 and men were urgently needed. He was eager to see more of the world, get a break from the hard work involved in the family dairy farm, and do his part for his country. Little did he know the war time drama and the brush with history that awaited him! Lloyd enlisted in the Navy but was transferred to the 4th Marine Division, where his skills as a newly trained medic would be needed on Tinian Island. Tinian is part of the Mariana Islands, which are 1300 miles southeast We Say Goodbye to a True "Gem"--Lloyd LaBore of Tokyo. The islands were strategically crucial to the Allies, providing the potential for an airbase and a supply station. The problem was that his division had to first take the island away from the Japanese, in order to establish this crucial toe- hold in the pacific theater. The invasion of Tinian Island was costly and Lloyd would prefer not to dwell on the details. However, his job then became to help establish the hospital there. A very important airstrip was also being built. He spent 17 months on the island working as a medic and dealing with enemy soldiers who were still hiding in the hills. (continued on page 5) Sheriff Matt Bostrom