Veteran Ole Olson on life's fragility

Ole and Little Boy
Ole Olson checks on the family pet, a 1,700-hundred pound, pure-bred Texas Longhorn, called Little Boy in this 2011 file photo.
Elizabeth Baier / MPR News 2011

Retired veteran Ole Olson holds on to a piece of shrapnel to remind himself that life is fragile.

Olson spent 40 years in the National Guard, and retired as a first sergeant. He is currently a salesman in Albert Lea and is grateful to have his weekends back and time with his family. However, he misses the camaraderie.

This is the fifth in a series of conversations with veterans as part of Minnesota's Veterans' Voices Month. Listen to the first four conversations:

Rose Bayuk, WWII veteran
• Former Marine Nick Swaggert
• Army National Guard veteran Vanessa Prebish
Col. Eric Kerska of the Army National Guard

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