By Luella Grangaard, International Board Chair

I was invited by District 8 Sons of Norway to participate in events commemorating 200 years since the initial launch of the Restauration in Stavanger, Norway July 3 & 4. Many people in Norway participated in these events, including three generations of the Royal Family, dignitaries, politicians, Sons of Norway members and members of the public, who gathered to commemorate 200 years of organized migration to North America and to wish a safe passage to the crew of the Restauration. We also celebrated the strong ties between Norway and North America. In Stavanger I was warmly received and hosted by members from District 8, Ryfylke Lodge and Eilert Lunde the lodge president and coordinator of Crossings 200 representing Sons of Norway in the Stavanger area. I sincerely appreciate everything they did to help plan my trip and guide me to each event. Fraternal Manager Jana Velo was also able to attend and photograph the events, as a representative of Viking magazine. While in Stavanger, I had a chance to visit Sverd i Fjell (the three swords in the rock), the Maritime Museum where they had a display of the Restauration and Ledaal, the Kings residence. I enjoyed a visit and dinner with Eilert Lunde’s family and board members of Ryfylke Lodge. I met over 60 members of Sons of Norway from various lodges in the area and enjoyed lunch with them. From there we went to Fiskepiren, the pier where the Restauration was docked to receive gifts from various organizations, including Sons of Norway Foundation. I presented a check on behalf of the Foundation and was able to say a few words on behalf of Sons of Norway and the Sons of Norway Foundation on the boat. That evening there was a celebration of the migration with a program and meal. At this event they tried to recreate the foods of 1825 including bread made on the ship with Madeira wine from a cask found floating in the Atlantic by the crew of the original Restauration.

The big day—the 4th of July—I was able to attend a service at the Domkirke (Stavanger Cathedral) with Eilert Lunde. There I was able to see the King, Queen, Crown Prince and Princess and the Princess and Prince. It was a lovely service. We then proceeded to the harbor to see the Restauration waiting to start its journey. Jana, Eilert and I boarded a ferry to Randaberg. From the ferry we again saw the whole Royal Family board small boats to take them to the Royal yacht, Norge. The ferry along with the Royal yacht and many, many boats escorted the Restauration out of the harbor. Even Eilert’s son and grandchildren followed in their boat waving Norwegian flags. It was an amazing sight.

At Randaberg we docked and were met by the mayor, walked a red carpet and were part of the group including US consuls for Norway. We watched the Restauration once again dock, and ministers of Norway disembarked from the ship and I met the Minister of the Environment and the Stavanger Tourism representative. There was a beautiful locally sourced lunch. Then we were off to the concert hall for exhibits including Sons of Norway, music and later a musical program on the migration.

What an honor it was to represent Sons of Norway and to participate in all these events. It was an amazing opportunity. I can’t wait to see the United States welcome the Restauration on October 9th in New York. This event is so important to all of us who have a connection to Norway on both sides of the Atlantic. I hope each of you have an opportunity to attend an event whether at your lodge, online or—better yet—for those in the U.S., attend one of the welcoming events for the Restauration and be a part of history.