Eagles Of Squaw Lake

Submitted by O.A.D. (One Armed Dave Nickleson)
As Published in the Western Itasca Review, May 24, 2001

If by chance you are traveling north of Deer River you will find Highway 46. If you follow its course, it will lead you to a "Scenic Highway" just 28 short miles to Squaw Lake. Here in this wooden haven, Mr. Henry Schoolcraft developed a beautiful experimental forest known as "Avenue of the Pines". While gazing out your window, you will see red pine trees growing "straight as arrows", truly a wondrous sight to see.

This particular area holds the largest nesting sites of eagles in the contiguous United States. So, I guess this is where my little story begins. One morning listening to a television evangelist, he told about the relationship of eagles. Evidently, if an old eagle is without food, the healthy eagles will take care of it. Likewise, if there is a young eagle in peril, the healthy eagles will tend to it also. Perhaps that is why there are so many references in the Holy Bible about eagles, 27 I believe.

In the City of Squaw Lake live two Finnish gentlemen and they are who this story is all about. Of course, I am speaking of Arnie and Elmer who along with the rest of the small community look after their cemetery as a mother would look after her young child. Everyone grooms this particular plot of ground meticulously. Here the flag flies proudly for many of the fine young men that went off to maintain our freedoms, yet did not come home.

Arnie visits the cemetery every day to make sure his friends and family are resting peacefully. He sings to them and awaits the day when he too will rest peacefully with them. Arnie has some problems with his health having one knee replacement and awaiting the other. Even through his pain, I have never heard him utter a negative word about anyone. Nevertheless, years of hard work at construction and working in the woods can take a toll on any man's health.

Elmer must be the happiest man that I ever met. After raising a rather large family, he and his lively wife, Mae, are always busy gardening, or just enjoying their fine children and grandchildren. Keep in mind that Elmer is not in the best of health either, again too many years of hard work have taken their toll.

These are the real "Eagles of Squaw Lake". These gentlemen and their friends work with no pay to keep the ground Holy. Sometimes we ignore the works of those who, even through pain and adversity, quietly go about the business of helping others; and some seek recognition and do nothing.

Arnie tells me that Chuddy, another of the "Eagles" who has since passed on, was visited on the day of his burial by a solitary eagle in the large pine tree that borders the cemetery.

My family and I are proud to be part time members of this community where one can wonder and worship about God's mysteries. Whether in church, or a many have said, "We find God in the forest and the trees, the lake and the sky," and if God did make heaven on Earth, then here He must feel most proud.

Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with the wings of eagles. They shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not grow faint.