1 January 2010 Gem Lake News - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 It seems to be common knowledge that police work on any particular night can swing quickly from dangerous to boring. It is not often that it can be placed in the downright funny category. However, hilarious happens--at least it did one night in early January, and right here in Gem Lake. While on routine patrol, a Ramsey County Deputy was doing his job, checking on businesses in the area of County Road E and Scheuneman Road. He observed a Pepsi delivery truck at the vending business near the Gun Shop and was reminded of when he used to deliver Pepsi himself before joining the Sherriff's Department. He had just cleared the Barnett Chrysler lot when a movement caught his eye. There was a man leaping, or running--it was unclear, but definitely some furtive movements, in the vicinity of the Pepsi delivery truck. The deputy responded immediately to the scene, to find a parking lot full of Pepsi bottles, the hydraulic lift on its side and the lift operator limping and gloveless. (It appears the operator's gloves where somewhere beneath the mess.) Luckily, the operator thought to jump clear when the lift gave out and tipped, or he surely would have been seriously injured---or worse, according to the deputy. After signing himself out on a citizen's assist, the deputy and the Pepsi delivery man began the tedious task of picking up the bottles of Pepsi. A curious passer-by stopped and joined the New Year's fun. After 33 minutes, the three had picked up 1440 bottles of Pepsi. Then, the trio worked together to upright the lift, which was miraculously still working. (Apparently it just wanted a break today....) Pepsi guy found his gloves, deputy and curious guy received hearty handshakes and thanks from the driver, and all parted ways.... “ The Great "Pepsi Bottle Caper"--It Happened Right Here in Gem Lake!! After 63 years of wondering what happened to his war buddy, Gem Lake resident Dick Arcand had a chance to find out last September. Dick had the long-awaited opportunity for a very special reunion with his friend Dwight Applegate, with whom he served for two years in the 81st Field Hospital of the U.S. Army. The mobile medial unit was attached to the 7th Army as it traveled across Europe after D-Day. Both Dick and Dwight had received their basic training together at Camp Barkley in Abilene, Texas. "We lived in the same hut and got to be very good friends," says Dick. Later, they set up tents behind Patton's Seventh Army. The tents provided medical and surgical care to soldiers, but Dick and Dwight performed other "behind the line" functions to keep the unit operating. Both were trained as clerks, but Dick was drafted to cut hair for wounded soldiers and officers. "We lived through a lot together. We were always wet and cold and moving with the unit," adds Dick. "Of course, we were young and we could take it. Now that would probably kill us. At night, the Germans would fly over the unit and spray it with bullets. Neither of us was wounded. We hid under the water tank some nights." Over the years, Dick always wondered what happened to his friend. "I knew he lived somewhere in Iowa, but for some reason, our unit never had any reunions. Unfortunately, we fell out of touch, but I always wanted to see him again." It seems Dwight Applegate had expressed the same feeling to his daughter. Now in his 80's and in poor health, Dwight's daughter felt the reunion should take place sooner rather than later. She found Dick's name after some on-line research and got in touch. "I was so surprised and pleased. My daughter drove me to his home in Marshalltown, Iowa and we spent the whole day together," says Dick. "Dwight smiled so much. I was so glad. We had so much to talk about and we both remembered everything." Dwight now suffers from diabetes and cancer and can't get around well. "His wife has called me to see if they can come up sometime and I hope they do," says Dick. Until then, Dick says he was so happy to see his friend again. A Very Special Reunion