Where Are the Local Memorial Day Ceremonies?

(KNSI) — After a three year hiatus, the St. Cloud VA Medical Center is bringing back its in person Memorial Day commemoration.

St. Cloud VA Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable says they are “very pleased” to host the ceremony, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Monday in front of Building 96, which is on the west side of the campus near the golf course. “We encourage folks to bring their lawn chairs as seating is somewhat limited. Our guest speaker this year is Trent Dilks. He’s the legislative director for the Department of Minnesota Disabled American Veterans.”

Venable says it’s important to stop and remember why we have Memorial Day. “It’s called freedom, and it doesn’t come without cost, and without sacrifice. I can’t express it any other way. That’s why we set aside a day to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the preservation of freedom. And it’s easy in this modern day to think that that’s never been threatened, but it has on many occasions and it requires citizens of this country to step up serve in the armed forces. And unfortunately, over one million have lost their lives in service to their nation during times of conflict.”

Venable says he knows and understands many see it as the start of summer, but there are some ways you can help commemorate the day. An easy way is to display a flag. If you do, Venable says, “Keep it at half staff until noon. And then at noon, raise it to the top of the staff. Because not only do we remember those who have served and sacrificed but we also want to point the way towards a more hopeful future.”

Another way is to attend a ceremony such as the one at the VA. A special ceremony at the Veterans’ Cemetery near Camp Ripley is on Sunday. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs says community members are invited to attend the event to honor and remember servicemembers in Minnesota who made the ultimate sacrifice and show support for the families left behind. The event starts at 2:00 p.m. The program will include military honor guards, music and a guest speaker. The American Legion Post 277 is hosting a ceremony at the Sartell Community Center on Memorial Day at 9:00 a.m. People are asked to bring a lawn chair as seating is limited.

If you can’t attend a ceremony, Venable says one everyone can do, no matter where they are, is to observe the National Moment of Remembrance, which happens at 3:00 p.m. He adds, “it doesn’t take a lot from anyone just think for a moment about all those who have served and died and service to their country.”

___