U.S. Army

A couple of summers ago, the nonprofit StoryCorps hosted an oral history project here in Wyoming, in which veterans and their families recorded honest and personal stories about their military experience. This time, 64-year-old Tim Shepard looks back on his extensive military career, sharing the wisdom he has learned along the way with StoryCorps' Military Voices Manager Hazel Diaz.

George Ostrom served in the U.S. Army in France and a short time in Germany during WWI, sketching scenes that he encountered in combat as well as behind the lines. He lived most of his life in Sheridan and was actively involved in veterans affairs and had a career as a commercial artist, wolf hunter, and conservation advocate in later years. Some credit him with the iconic bucking horse image that's been featured on Wyoming license plates since the mid-1930s.

The U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Regiment, comprised of approximately 20-25 African American, or Buffalo Soldiers, crossed northeast Wyoming in June and July 1897 on their way from Fort Missoula, Mont. to St. Louis, Mo. The nearly six week journey proved very challenging at times, including severe bouts of illness from contaminated drinking water and going days without reliable meals.

A group of 8th graders from Wheatland Middle School who built a tornado shelter for a school competition won the top national prize for their efforts last…