Bernt Balchen Lodge

Sons of Norway

Sons of Norway Emblem

Bernt Balchen Lodge was named for famous pioneer Norwegian pilot and  accomplished artist Bernt Balchen.  He was knowledgeable in Arctic survival training and rescue.  He trained American aviators during World War II, established the base at Thule, Greenland, and worked extensively in Alaska.  He was a friend of Robert Reeve, founder of Reeve Aleutian Airways, and by way of this friendship our Lodge received a painting by Bernt Balchen which he had given to Mr. Reeve, and Mr. Reeve donated to us.

Highlights of some of the social events of our Lodge are:

• In May, we celebrate Norwegian Independence Day, May 17.  We sponsor "A Day at the Zoo" for the children.  In the evening we have a typical Norwegian smorgasbord - a fitful feast for the eye as well as the eating.  There are traditional dress and decorations and a festive air.  It makes one feel a sense of pride in a wholesome heritage.
• Mid-summer in June is a special time for picking and get-together during the summer when we have no regularly scheduled meetings, but do enjoy a time to greet one another and catch up on the happenings and travels of fellow lodge members.
• In October we have our Far-i-kaal dinner.  This is a harvest dinner of cabbage and lamb.  As the farmers brought the animals in from the mountainside in the fall of the year and as the vegetables were gathered from the fields in preparation for winter these foods were a natural meal -- and a tasty one, at that.
• In November we have lutefisk dinners for two nights.   Lutefisk, the lye-cured cod, and lefse are a traditional food of the Norwegian seafarers.  In modern times the cod is cured without lye.  It is served with melted butter, cream or mustard gravy.  Add boiled potatoes, meatballs, vegatable and dessert and you have a feast to celebrate.
• In December we celebrate "Lucia" - the Lady of the Nights.  A teenage girl, the daughter or granddaughter of members of the Lodge, is chosen as "Lucia."  Our party is held on Sunday afternoon for the whole family.  This is a very popular event and especially enjoyable for the children with cookies, carol singing and Santa Claus!
• Each year we plan a ski outing over Easter weekend.  In the past few years this has been held at Hatcher's Pass.  Families as well as singles can participate in this traditional, enjoyable recreation.  Again we can partake of good food with good fresh air, good friendly competition and a good sauna to relax.

This is a sampling of the activities we plan each year.  Then add the ideas, surprises and challenging events which members suggest and plan and you have a great experience in friendship and fraternity!

The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society and offering maximum benefits to its members.

The Sons of Norway was organized as a fraternal benefit society by 18 Norwegian immigrants in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 16, 1895. The purposes and goals of the Founding Fathers were to protect members of Sons of Norway and their families from the financial hardships experienced during times of sickness or death in the family. Over time, the mission of Sons of Norway was developed for the purpose of preserving the best of Norwegian heritage and culture in our Society. The Society has grown since its beginning to more than 420 local lodges with a membership of nearly 70,000 people.

We promote Norwegian traditions and fraternal fellowship through the cultural and social opportunities offered in local lodge and district lodge activities. These activities include language camps and classes, scholarships, handicraft, cooking and heritage classes, heritage programs, sports programs, travel opportunities, Viking Magazine, and outreach programs sponsored by the Sons of Norway Foundation.

Financial protection is offered to Sons of Norway members and their families against the hardships of sickness and death through a variety of quality insurance programs.

The dragons that came gliding out of the mists to explore Ireland, Scotland, Briton, and most of Europe as well as North America during the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries were not imaginary.  These dragons were real and their bodies were the dreaded Viking langskip (longboat) that for three centuries made their mark in most of the known world.  Guided by their wits, and in good weather by the North Star and other celestial bodies, they left their land of the Midnight Sun to travel, explore and settle in all parts of the world.

Sons or Norway has captured some of this history and tradition in its beautiful emblem in the shape of the viking shield; emblazoned at the top is the North Star, surrounded by the big S/N, followed by the heavens and the midnight sun, the rolling sea and the viking ship (langskip) to become the finest, most versatile ship in the world at the time of these explorations, when the rest of the world was in confusion and chaos.  The ship was not only capable of crossing the treacherous North Atlantic, but of skimming up shallow rivers deep inland.  Evidences of their landings have been found as far inland as Alexandria, Minnesota, where they carved out a message on the now famed runestone, which says in part "Have 10 of our party by the sea (Hudson's Bay) to look after our ships 14 days-- journey from the island (Cormorant Lake, Minnesota), year 1362."

The Viking ship illustrated on the plaque is authentic in every detail.  Toward the end of the tenth century, Trygvason's "Long Serpent" is said to have been 160 feet long having 34 oars on each side.  Most ships, however, were 80 feet long, sharply pointed on prow and stern, widening to about 16 feet amidship, with 16 oars on each side.  For their size they were extremely light because all planking was clinker type, hand-hewn to leave cleats for lashing with thongs to the ribs.  There was no superstructure to protect the crew from the elements, except that while in port a tarpaulin could be stretched tent-like over two long poles running down the center of the ship.  The rudder or "steerboard" was on the right side where it could be pivoted up out of the way in shallow water and accounts for the right side of the ship being called the "starboard."

There was so little room aboard that all shields were stored hanging over the gunwales on each side.  The Vikings were proud of their ship.  The brightly painted shields, brilliantly enameled dragon heads on the prow, and for special occasions brightly colored, vertically striped velvet sails made a dazzling impression.

The Vikings were hardy and tough, fearless and fair.  Their chiefs became kings and ruled with firmness and justice.  The Viking Age came to an end in about the 11th century when stronger bridges were built on rivers to bar the longboat and when coastal defenses were improved and well-manned.  Is was then that the longboat gave way to the Knarr, or trading ship, which was clumsier and slower but whose broad beam was more spacious for carrying cattle, food stuffs, farm gear and families.  It was then the Viking Dragon disappeared from the seas and rivers but took her place in the hearts of men who remember her sleek beauty.  All this history is symbolically represented in the Sons of Norway shield.

So who is there among us that can say with assurance that he has no ancestor who once stood on the surging deck of a longboat, his red beard bristling as he studied the looming coast of some strange land, who called himself Erik.  Who indeed can read of the Viking Age and not wonder if he, too, is a Son of Norway?