21-05-2025
Memorial Day observances set in Jamestown, area
May 21—JAMESTOWN — Jamestown and area communities will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, with programs and ceremonies.
The Jamestown Patriotic Council is sponsoring the Memorial Day program starting at 9 a.m. Monday at Shady's in the Gladstone Inn & Suites, according to Theresa Haag, president of the council. Matthew Motschenbacher will speak on "Though Poppies Grow."
Following the program, a naval ceremony will follow at Nickeus Park bridge which includes a 21-gun salute to honor those lost at sea. When the naval ceremony concludes, ceremonies will follow at the Jamestown cemeteries simultaneously, Haag said. Previously, ceremonies would move from cemetery to cemetery.
The ceremonies that will occur simultaneously at the cemeteries include the raising and lowering of the U.S. flag, placing of the wreath/flag, taps and invocation/benediction.
Local religious leaders helping with this include the Revs. Steve Berntson, Kerry Boese, Chad Wilhelm, Greg Allen, Stephanie Gossett and Bob Hoekstra, Haag said.
The last program will be the Veterans' Memorial Wall ceremony at 11 a.m. at Fort Seward. Included will be a 21-gun salute and Gordie Johnson and Joel Hanson will be performing echo taps.
A freewill donation luncheon will be served at the All Vets Club following the Fort Seward program. The lunch will be a pulled pork sandwich, potato salad, chips, pickles and coffee, water and Kool-Aid.
The Patriotic Council includes representatives of the Jamestown Drum and Bugle Corps, All Vets Club, American Legion Post 14 and Auxiliary, VFW Post 760 and Auxiliary, DAV Chapter 31, Vietnam Veterans and 20th Infantry Regiment, Fort Seward, Dakota Territory.
American Legion Mayer-Morlock Post #250 will hold a Memorial Day program at the Gackle American Legion Hall at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, in Gackle.
Randy Entzminger will be the speaker on "80 Years Since Victory: Expectations of the Greatest Generation."
Ceremonies at the Gackle and Alfred cemeteries will be followed by a potluck lunch open to everyone at the Gackle Legion Hall.
Memorial Day services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Kensal Public School in Kensal. John Florhaug Post 103 and Squadron 103 of the American Legion will salute the dead at the city cemetery and St. John's Catholic cemetery immediately following the service. Lunch will be served at St. John's Catholic Church after the service and is sponsored by the Kensal City Cemetery Association.
Adam Job Post 245 of the American Legion will hold a Memorial Day program on Monday, May 26, at 10:30 a.m. at the Medina Public School gym, said Wayne Reardon, adjutant of the Legion. Speaker will be the Rev. Erik Weber, and the Medina Community Band will perform.
After the program, the group will visit local cemeteries, then return to the American Legion and have dinner, served by English Lutheran Church, he said.
The Memorial Day program at Pingree begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Edmunds-Pingree Community Center in Pingree. The speaker will be Carmen Keller of Fargo. After the program, the group will move to the cemetery and decorate the veterans' graves, said Mike Tompkins, president of the Pingree Cemetery Board, which sponsors the program. That will be followed by a noon meal by TJ's Catering.
The Eckelson-Sanborn American Legion and Auxiliary Post 202 Memorial Day program begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sanborn, said Cheryl Foster, president of the Auxiliary. The speaker will be Morgan Foster, Ph.D. After the program, weather permitting, the group will go to the Sacred Heart and Fairview cemeteries. Lunch will follow at the Sanborn Community Center.
Rice Deede American Legion Post 205 of Woodworth will hold its Memorial Day service at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26, at the Pettibone Cemetery, said Arvin Goter, commander of the post. Coffee and donuts will follow the service at the Pettibone Community Hall.
At 10:30 a.m., a service will be held at Gem Cemetery, Woodworth. A potluck dinner will follow at the Woodworth Fire Hall.
The speaker at both cemeteries will be David Bratton, Stutsman County veterans service officer, Goter said. Vietnam veterans attending the ceremonies at the cemeteries will receive a special North Dakota welcome home coin, presented by Bratton.
