The year 2017 marks significant centennials for American history. Widely known and commemorated is the centennial of the United States’ entry into World War I. Less known is the transfer of the Danish West Indies in U.S. possession, now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands. What led up to the transfer of that territory? How have the two nations cooperated in peace and conflict in the 100 years since?

To explore the larger context of geopolitical relations between Denmark and the United States, the Museum of Danish America is opening a temporary exhibition called Denmark — America’s Smallest and Biggest Ally. Within the story of over two centuries of bilateral relations, this exhibition will focus especially on three parts of Danish-American history that will be unfamiliar to most visitors: the transfer of the U.S. Virgin Islands; the U.S. military bases on Greenland, which is a Danish territory; and the 21st-century involvement of Denmark in U.S.-led coalitions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other sites of present conflict.

The exhibit will officially open on Saturday, September 30 and will remain on view in the museum’s mezzanine level through September 3, 2018. A special preview event is being planned for museum members and all past and present members of the armed forces that Friday evening, September 29, from 5-7pm. Included on the roster of guest speakers is the Deputy Chief of Mission for the Royal Danish Embassy in Washington, DC, Lars Bo Møller, and two Danish veterans – flying in from Copenhagen – who are involved in the Danish Wounded Warrior Project.

For more information, visit danishmuseum.org or call 712.764.7001.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 9:30-p.m. Monday, of 24-year old Ozzie Ray Hunter, from Red Oak. Hunter was taken into custody for Driving While Barred. He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond, pending a court appearance.

Seven motorcyclists from the Sioux City area took off Monday on a 5,000 mile journey with plans to raise $50,000 for the Unity Point St. Luke’s Children’s Miracle Network. Steve Schmidt is taking part in the ride. “What a great cause to help the youngsters of Siouxland,” Schmidt said. “I love to ride and I know a lot of people, so I can help with the fundraising.”

Schmidt, who rides 10-to-15-thousand miles a year on his motorcycle, has been with Security National Bank in Sioux City for 36 years. He and the other riders traveled to the Chicago area on Monday. Today (Tuesday), they’ll make their way to historic U.S. Route 66. “Then we go down through Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, we touch a little bit of Nevada, and then into southern California where it ends in Santa Monica,” Schmidt said.

SXC Miracle Riders

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew is on the trip. He’s a fan of the band The Eagles and is looking forward to one particular stop. “I’m gonna be standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona, so I’m pretty excited,” Drew said. “We’re going through the Grand Canyon, Santa Monica, and some areas I haven’t been to. I’m like a little kid at the candy store.”

The seven motorcyclists will be stopping at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to meet children and share their story along the way, hoping to raise $50,000 for CMN. “That’s what this ride is about – to help Unity Point Children’s Miracle Network with buying some things that will help the nurses and help the parents with their sick children,” Drew said. “That was really the big reason I got involved.”

The seven riders, who are each covering their own expenses on the trip, plan to return to Sioux City on September 29.

(Radio Iowa)