Monday, May 29, 2023, Memorial Day
Brainerd, Minnesota, a tradition since 1968
Monday, May 29, 2023: The main Memorial Day ceremony began at Evergreen Cemetery at 11 am.
- The MC was Bill Satre from B93.3 Radio and the Brainerd Elks.
- Chaplain Reverend Eusebia Rios gave the invocation and benediction.
- The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Eagle Scout Blake Collins.
- The Gettysburg Address was recited by Craig Coonan, winner of the 2022-2023 Brainerd VFW Voice of Democracy.
- The main speaker was Crow Wing County Veteran Service Officer Erik Flowers.
- The Brainerd High School Band played "To the Colors" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Taps with echo was also played.
- There was lunch at the Brainerd American Legion for veterans and families, co-sponsored by the Brainerd Elks.
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A video of the main ceremony is available at: https://www.facebook.com/brainerdmemorialday/ |
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The Main speaker Crow Wing County Veteran Service Officer Erik Flowers. A veteran himself, he served in Kosovo as a Chaplain's Assistant. Erik is a member of the Brainerd VFW, the Brainerd American Legion and the Crow Wing County Disabled American Veterans. |
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The Brainerd High School Band under the direction of Christopher Fogderud and Michael Sommerness playing Battle Hymn of the Republic. |
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Lakeland Public TV was there to do a news story. https://lptv.org/brainerd-community-honors-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-1/
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See the Brainerd Dispatch story.
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Monday, May 29, 2023, 10:30 am:
Monday, May 29, 2023, 9:30 am: A short ceremony was held at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets. Chaplain Rios said a prayer and flags were raised to half mast.
May 29, 2023, 9:00 am: The Brainerd Fire Department displayed their huge flag at the east end of the Laurel Street Bridge. Then people started to arrive. A prayer was said by Chaplain Reverend Eusebia Rios. A wreath was thrown in the Mississippi River in honor of those who died at sea.
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Video that was seen on Lakeland TV in Brainerd. |
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The Brainerd Memorial Day Committee on May 17, 2023.
May 29, 2023, 6 am: Boy Scouts from Pack 45 in Brainerd installed casket flags on the fence at Evergreen Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day ceremonies.
May 27, 2023: Families were out decorating graves at Evergreen Cemetery on the north side of Brainerd. Cub Scouts were there with over 100 flags for the cemetery so that at least one could be seen from every location.
May 26, 2023: Members were out getting flags from a storage room at the 194th Army National Guard Armory. They were assisted by a scout leader and a member of the Guard. Then it was off to Memorial Gardens Cemetery to install flags, with the help of a metal locater to find flag mounts in the ground.
The Brainerd Memorial Day Committee is an all-volunteer organization. However, there are expenses for replacing worn flags, equipment storage, printing and permits. Contributions will be gratefully accepted to defray costs for the event which remembers and honors those who died in service to our country. Send contributions to: Brainerd Memorial Day Committee C/O Brainerd VFW, 309 South 6th Street, Brainerd, MN 56401. Attention: Randy Aldous Thank You.
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We pause to give thanks on Memorial Day to the people who fought and died for freedom and our way of life. A hero is someone who has given his or her life for something bigger than himself or herself. Some 1.3 million servicemen and women died fighting for freedom and the American way of life. From the Bible, John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” |
John McCray
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In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep |
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In Waters by the Deep, a sailor's poem
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