Chester H. Bambenek

1905 Winona - 1978 Winona

I was good old "Ches," the nicest man anyone ever met
The Bambenek family queer.
I was born odd, and different
Always seeking attention and causing drama
Even before I thought of fooling around with other boys.
At thirteen, I was voted best Boy Scout in Winona's Troop One.
At fourteen, I ran away from home to my sister in Otter Tail County;
When I returned, among other stunts, I pointed a loaded pistol
At my junior high school principal, Mr. L.A. Struck.
I got away with it all.
Father was a pillar of the community and the church
And Peerless Chain was building a brand new plant down by the River.
But he did send me away, and not for the first time,
In the hopes of "fixing" me - making me not queer.
I felt like I was in hell. The praying and fasting
And lectures and interrogations.
It's not like I asked to be queer.
I really wanted to be just like all the other guys.
And now, here, I am.