Veterans gone but never forgotten

For some people, Memorial Day weekend is a time to go to a lake or cabin, plan shopping trips or find other ways to take advantage of three days off from work.

Despite how popular it is to get out of town on extended weekends, hundreds of people will remain in Red Wing and attend a service that honors the true meaning of Memorial Day — veterans.

“I estimate anywhere from 500 to 800 people would give up their time to come down,” Red Wing’s Memorial Day committee chairman Daryl Duden said of the local event that’s planned for Monday morning at Bay Point Park.

Just as in years past, the Memorial Day observance will start with a salute at 8:15 a.m. at John Rich Park. The service will begin at 8:45 a.m. at Bay Point, honoring departed comrades from the Red Wing area. Its schedule won’t change much from what it has been in previous years, but a new keynote speaker will be in attendance.

Minnesota’s 30th Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash will give the main address about halfway through the service.

“The demands for him are all over, but he actually accepted our invitation,” Duden said.

Although the entire service is expected to last only an hour, that doesn’t mean veterans receive just an hour of recognition. As an additional way to honor them, flags and bronze stars will be marking hundreds of gravesites throughout Red Wing for several days to come.

“If you go to our cemeteries in town this weekend … you’ll see a sea of red, white and blue,” Duden said.

Since veterans don’t receive special recognition every day of the year, Duden said it’s important for Americans to have a national holiday that makes sure the fallen military men and women aren’t forgotten.

“If there’s only one day a year where you would remember those who were willing to give their lives for the country,” Memorial Day would be the one, he said.

The service at Bay Point Park isn’t the only opportunity available for people to recognize Memorial Day. The following events are just some of those that will be held throughout Goodhue and Pierce counties on Monday May 28:

Bay City area

The Bay City American Legion is performing Memorial Day services at the following locations:

• 8 a.m. at Esdaile Cemetery

• 8:30 a.m. at Hartland Methodist Cemetery

• 9 a.m. at Tabor Lutheran Cemetery

• 9:30 a.m. at Bay City lakeshore; Ellsworth Middle School Band and local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will attend

• 10 a.m. at Bay City Cemetery; Ellsworth band will play and Legionnaire Jon Ebensperger will speak

• 10:45 a.m. at Trenton Cemetery; Ellsworth band will play and Ebensperger will speak

• 11:30 a.m. at Diamond Bluff Cemetery

• Noon at Svea Lutheran Cemetery

Goodhue

The annual Memorial Day observance will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Goodhue. Activities featured will include remarks, patriotic readings by Goodhue School students, musical selections, presentation of the Colors, a rifle salute and Taps.

Participants of the event will be the Third Regiment of Minnesota Infantry Volunteers, Company C, and members of the American Legion Post 598 from Bellechester.

The ceremony is expected to last about half an hour.

Lake City

The Lake City Historical Society will hold its annual Memorial Day cemetery tour from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lakewood Cemetery on Lakewood Avenue.

Costumed characters will portray seven notable people in Lake City history, including local poet Nell Mabey and pioneer pharmacist Thomas Gibbs. Tour guides and light refreshments will be available. A $5 donation is suggested. Call Don Schwartz at 651-345-2692 for more information.

Red Wing

The American Legion Post 54 will serve a champagne brunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meal includes scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and fried potatoes.

The veterans will make and serve the brunch. Cost is $9.50.

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