BLOOMINGTON, MN — It was a day filled with laughter and gratitude as community members celebrated a big birthday in Bloomington. A World War II veteran from Minnesota turns 100 years old.
There's no shortage of photos and stories when you meet Lt. Jim Rasmussen. That's not surprising considering its 100-year history.
“One of the things I'm most proud of is getting this far, which is one of the things I never thought I would do,” Rasmussen said. “Usually when you celebrate something with a 100th anniversary, it's a monument.”
The Twin Cities honored an Edina native who flew 32 missions with the Eighth Air Force's Bloody 100 Bomb Group during World War II.
“We were really crazy, we were going crazy, because we were so grateful that you finally came and saved us. And we want to thank you for that.” said an audience member who was in Germany during the war.
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Rasmussen's passion for service began at the age of 17.
“My parents wouldn’t sign me because they said I had six months left until I went to high school,” he recalled. “After I graduated from high school, a friend of mine asked me to come work with him, so I worked there for about a year. After that, I received an invitation from the company president, and that's when I joined up with the other members.”
His team also received attention from Hollywood in the new series Masters of the Air.
“One time the clouds were so thick that I was flying through them and I saw a shadow flashing past me and I thought, 'Oh no, that was a plane!'” What? If the same thing happened one time or another, I would be really scared if another plane came nearby. ”
Even after all these years, his sense of humor and adventure has not diminished one bit.
“When I told them that parachuting was on my bucket list, they asked me to come to England.I would sign them up for buddy jumping, and I asked my advisor to stand there and do this (thumbs down). gesture)”
But not everyone there gave a thumbs up for Rasmussen's courage and service.
Local historian Andrew Berg said: “He is one of a rare breed, with only a few left. Men like that represent the best of us and need to be remembered.” ” he said.
Sixteen million Americans fought alongside Rasmussen in World War II. Fewer than 130,000 people are still alive.
