Remembering our pioneers on Alaska Day

Happy Alaska Day, everyone! Who comes to mind for you when Alaska Day comes around? I have to say there are many I think of on both a personal and professional level.

Of course, first on the list are my parents, George and Margaret Sullivan. Although they have been gone these many years, they left an indelible legacy on my family and throughout Alaska. My dad was a true leader and public servant and my brother Dan is also this way. I can only hope to rise to their level of contribution. My mother was an endless influence on family and community, raising nine kids while being a commissioner, first lady of Anchorage and avid volunteer for various boards, commissions, our local parish and civic groups.

My mother was “Mother Earth News” before it became popular. We reused, recycled and conserved everything — from hand-me-down clothes to recycling newspapers and soda cans. My parents and our family passed down the value of what a loved and respected community was all about. We did not walk by litter; we picked it up. She definitely would not mesh with the disposable society of today. In her mind, it could be fixed, mended or duct-taped. Now that’s Alaskan!

I loved my parents’ and grandparents’ pioneer spirit. Their can-do attitude and ability to ride out tough times showed me that anything is possible and achievable through hard work, prayers and patience.

I had the honor recently of attending the annual Alaska Day Dinner with our Wasilla-Knik Historical Society, and much like previous years, it was an enjoyable evening. Heather Ralston gave a great presentation on Wasilla’s historical buildings, including many of our historical sites and homes that are still around Wasilla today. Some pioneers at the event gave additional information on the homes up on the screen and assisted Heather with correct pronunciations of historical names for buildings, families, pioneers and landmarks.

There was recognition for Charlie Tryck, who was the first baby born in the city of Wasilla. He and his wife Molly live in Anchorage, and I went to school with their daughter, Suzanne. Others in attendance were Colleen Cottle, who is the daughter of Walter and Vivian Teeland. Vi and my mother Margaret were good friends, and when I bump into Colleen at the grocery store, we remark on that history. Members of Erling Nelson’s family were present too, and my husband Ted and I have many fond memories of Erling. Ted worked for Erling at the city of Wasilla Finance Office where Erling was his boss and mentor. We had great respect for Erling and his many decades of service at the city. It was a wonderful evening and reminded me that Alaska is still a small state in terms of family and friends.

When I think of Alaska Day, I think of the incredible history of my paternal grandparents, Viola and Harvey Sullivan. Viola was a feisty, petite Irish woman who had an adventurous spirit. She was the first woman mayor in Alaska and the first to cross the Richardson Highway with three kids in her Model-T Ford in the winter. Harvey was a miner in Nome with his brothers, and then became marshal in the northern territory keeping order and detaining criminals.

My mother’s parents, Dan and Isabelle Eagan, also came to Alaska as gold miners, settling in Fairbanks and raising a family on the outskirts in a community called Fairbanks Creek. They trapped and mined, and would dogsled supplies and mail to neighboring communities and to Nome when needed. My mom met my dad in Fairbanks and was dating him when he was sent to war in Adak in the early 1940s. They knew the sacrifice that war took on family and loved ones, and also the joy when the war was called to an end. Their love and perseverance spanned more than 60 years — remarkable!

As we think about Alaska Day and what it means to each of us, I hope you will think of those who made the choice to come here, live here, raise families here or start businesses in this vast frontier. I appreciate and am thankful for the pioneer Alaskans who had the tenacity and fortitude to build roads, bridges, buildings and much-needed infrastructure. The Army Corps of Engineers brought many to Alaska to build roads, such as the Alaska Highway. This effort was to bring vehicles and military equipment to Alaska during the war, but it also then opened up Alaska to the Lower 48.

I am thankful for the Alaskans who braved the harsh weather to import goods and services or export natural resources, fish, ore, gold, etc., throughout Alaska either by road, rail, air or the marine highway. In addition, I am thankful for the doctors and medical professionals who cared for families all across the state, traveling by small bush planes to reach those afflicted with typhoid, mumps, pneumonia or other communicable diseases that in past history would have wiped out a village if left untreated. Their hard work and determination paved the way for much of what we enjoy today.

And on Alaska Day I can’t help but think of our beloved U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens and others who fought to bring the statehood of Alaska to the forefront. Sen. Stevens’ years of service to our state cannot be matched, nor his dedication to the people of this state. He fought for Alaska to the bitter end of his term, spanning 40 years of service.

As you reflect on what Alaska Day means to you, whether you are a cheechako or a sourdough, I hope you will take the time to read or research what makes our cities and state unique. Visit your local library, museum or historical society and learn about our great Alaskan pioneers. You may also wish to meet with our local Pioneers of Alaska and learn firsthand about our great Alaskan history.

Colleen Sullivan-Leonard is a fourth-generation Alaskan and presently serves on Wasilla City Council.