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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Nobody is truly gone until they are forgotten': Residents remember the fallen on Memorial Day
May 27—VFW Post 447 Quarter Master Greg Sundholm encouraged those in attendance at the Memorial Day ceremony at Graceland Cemetery to remember those who have died in service of this country. "Nobody is truly gone until they are forgotten," Sundholm said during his remarks. Paraphrasing Gen. George S. Patton, Sundholm said it is wrong to mourn those who died — instead people should be thankful that they lived. The ceremony at Graceland Cemetery was one of several slated throughout the area at various cemeteries. The Honor Guard started the day at Lakewood Cemetery, followed by ceremonies at St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery, Hillcrest Cemetery and the Freeborn County veterans memorial. There was also the 53rd annual wreath drop ceremony on Fountain Lake by pilot Jim Hanson. Sundholm, who said he signed up for the delayed enlistment program in 1987 as a high school junior because he wanted to work on airplanes, left for basic training in December 1988. He said he was stationed to Strategic Air Command in upstate New York, where his primary job was nuclear deterrence. He later served in the 416th Bomb Wing, where he worked on B-52 bombers and KC-135 tankers, before Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and he was ultimately deployed. He said when he left active duty, he joined the 934th Airlift Wing, looking for an aircraft job, but they didn't have one, so he then became a weapons instructor and armorer. He medically retired in 1997. 'As I learned in my time in the military, we build on traditions of the past for the future," Sundholm said, noting that he learned many lessons and gained a connection to those who are honored on Memorial Day. He said exposure to them gives him a desire to be better than they are they before at the very least. VFW Post 447 Cmdr. Bob Sharp read from an article he recently shared. He said in every society there are many callings — whether it be firefighters, teachers, caregivers or statesmen. But the path of the warrior is one of the most difficult. "Throughout history, warriors have been called upon to protect their families, communities and countries — to fight for others' safety and freedom, knowing that this path of service may include their life and the suffering of their loved ones." He said it requires courage, commitment and resilience and said no one desires peace more than the warriors and their families because they know the true cost of war. "These warriors have never sought war, but they never flinched when their country called," he said. "It's through their actions that we enjoy the blessings of liberty, and through the tears of their families that we have the freedoms we all take for granted." The ceremony also included a placing of the wreaths by representatives from area veterans organizations, as well as the Minnesota National Guard, Gold Star family Don and Deb Goodnature, and POW-MIA representative Al "Minnow" Brooks. There were also several musical selections by Debbie Nordland, along with a military medley, as well as a volley fire by the American Legion Post 56 Honor Guard and taps by bugler Ed Nelson of American Legion Post 56.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day events slated in area
May 23—As in years past, Albert Lea and the surrounding communities will observe Memorial Day with special programs in area cemeteries, including a larger program to honor deceased military veterans. The Honor Guard will start the day with a ceremony at Lakewood Cemetery at 8 a.m., followed by a ceremony from 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. at St. Theodore Catholic Cemetery. From 8:45 to 9 a.m., a ceremony will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, followed by one from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. at the Freeborn County veterans memorial outside the Freeborn County courthouse at the corner of South Broadway and East College Street. At 10 a.m. will be the traditional wreath drop ceremony on Fountain Lake, in which pilot Jim Hanson will celebrate his 53rd year of flying for the event, and the Memorial Day program will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at Graceland Cemetery. Albert Lea resident and Desert Storm veteran Greg Sundholm will be the speaker for the event. Sundholm serves as the quartermaster for the VFW Post 447 and is also the treasurer for Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16. In addition to Sundholm's remarks, there will be the traditional laying of the wreaths ceremony by representatives from Albert Lea veterans organizations, the Minnesota National Guard, Gold Star parents Don and Deb Goodnature and a POW-MIA representative. There will also be music, a volley fire by the Honor Guard and flag raising ceremonies. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center at 147 N. Broadway. Following the program, there will be a free Memorial Day lunch for all active duty, National Guard, Reserves, retirees and veterans at American Legion Post 56. Bring your DD214, DOD ID card or VA card for verification. The cost for the meal is a $7 donation for non-veterans. This year's Memorial Day events are organized by VFW Post 447. Other ceremonies in the area are as follows: —The Lundberg Lee Legion Post 266 of Hartland will host a Memorial Day service at 9 a.m. Monday at the Cross of Glory Church in Hartland. The guest speaker will be Albert Lea American Legion Post Cmdr. Ole Olson. The NRHEG band will provide music, and the Cross of Glory Altar Guild will provide a light mid-morning lunch. —There will be a prayer service with the Honor Guard at 9 a.m. at the Bath Cemetery. Coffee and doughnuts will be served afterward.
