Download a photo of Woody Peet, Lynell Leasman and Dave Jerpseth.
Download a photo of The Prairie Arts Chorale.
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Pioneer PBS’s Postcards program will feature Woody Peet, lifelong resident of Dawson, Dave Jerpseth who grew up in Madison and Lynell Leasman who graduated from Canby High school as they talk about their experience of surviving the 1969 USS Enterprise fire. Willmar singer/songwriter Dan Reeb of Willmar will also be featured along with the regional choral group Prairie Arts Chorale. The program will air on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m., on Sunday, April 26 at 7 p.m. and on Monday, April 27 at 1:30 p.m. The stories will also be available for online viewing through the station’s website: www.pioneer.org/postcards.
The USS Enterprise, built between 1958 and 1961, was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the pride of the U.S. Navy. On January 14, 1969, during a combat readiness inspection, a bomb from a plane aboard the ship exploded and led to a chain reaction of explosions and fires that killed 28 sailors and injured 314. Woody Peet, Dave Jerpseth and Lynell Leasman were all on the carrier and they share how the experience forever shaped their lives. “I knew it had affected me, but back then there was no such thing as PTSD and we weren't in combat. So that didn't count,” said Jerpseth, “And then when we got out, we didn't talk about it because it wasn't socially acceptable to discuss your military service and nobody wanted to know.”
Willmar native, 26-year-old Dan Reeb has been singing and writing songs for several years but he says he is just beginning to call himself a musician. He regards his musical career thus far as a journey of self discovery. “Music is something I can use to connect with people more so than just regular speech or action,” he said.
The Prairie Arts Chorale is a regional choral group in Southwestern Minnesota under the direction of Brandon Hurley with members hailing from Redwood Falls, Olivia, Renville, Spicer, Bellingham, Madison, Dawson, Montevideo, Marshall, Darwin and Wabasso. The group has performed regionally since 1980 and is celebrating its 40th year. The Postcards crew was able to capture their “A Time for Dancing” concert at the Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer. “One of the benefits of being in the chorale is you meet new people and get to see the whole area of Southwestern Minnesota,” said Anton Eric Anderson, one of the original members of the group.
About Postcards
Postcards is produced by Dana Conroy with videography and editing by Kristofor Gieske and Ben Dempcy. The program is made possible by contributions from the voters of Minnesota through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Production sponsors for the program include Shalom Hill Farm, Explore Alexandria Tourism and the Lake Region Arts Council.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit: www.pioneer.org.
