Memorial Day in 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.
|
A video of the main ceremony is available at: https://www.facebook.com/brainerdmemorialday/ |
|
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. |
|
|
The Brainerd High School Band under the direction of Christopher Fogderud and Michael Sommerness playing Battle Hymn of the Republic. |
|
|
Lakeland Public TV was there to do a news story. https://lptv.org/brainerd-community-honors-fallen-heroes-on-memorial-day-1/
|
|
See the Brainerd Dispatch story.
|
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.
|
Brainerd Memorial Day Ceremonies on
10:30 am: Parade on 3rd Avenue NE to Evergreen Cemetery. 11:00 am: Main ceremony with the BHS Band at Evergreen Cemetery. Lunch at the Brainerd American Legion until 1 pm. See a video recording on Facebook starting mid-evening at: https://www.facebook.com/brainerdmemorialday |
The Brainerd Memorial Day Committee on May 17, 2023.
Monday, May 30, 2022: On and off weather with two inches of rain changed the plans changed for Brainerd Memorial Day ceremonies. Here is what happened:
9:00 am: A wreath will be thrown in the Mississippi River from the Laurel Street Bridge.
9:45 am: Short ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets.
11:00 am: Main ceremony, with the BHS Band, at the National Guard Armory.
12:00 - 2:00 pm: Lunch at the Brainerd American Legion.
Recording on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/brainerdmemorialday
The Program for 2022 Memorial Day ceremonies.
9:00 am: A wreath will be thrown in the Mississippi River from the Laurel Street Bridge.
9:45 am: Short ceremony at the All-Veterans Memorial at 4th and Laurel Streets.
11:00 am: Main ceremony, with the BHS Band, at the National Guard Armory.
12:00 - 2:00 pm: Lunch at the Brainerd American Legion.
Recording on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/brainerdmemorialday
The Program for 2022 Memorial Day ceremonies.
May 30, 2022, 9 am: Memorial Day in Brainerd started with throwing a wreath into the Mississippi River from the Laurel Street Bridge in honor of those who died at sea.
May 30, 2022, 9:30 am: A ceremony was held at the All-Veterans Memorial.
May 30, 2022, 11 am: About 250 people attended the main ceremony at the Brainerd National Guard Armory.
Presenting the flag.
May 30, 2022: (l-r) Speakers included Pastor Mark Skinner, MC Bill Satre, High School Senior Sydney Roberts, Eagle Scout Eddie Montiel and Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Jensen.
The Brainerd High School Band did an excellent job with music, then Taps with Echo by Brainerd High School Buglers.
May 30, 2022, noon to 2 pm: The Brainerd American Legion put on lunch for veterans and families.
|
May 26, 2022: One of three interviews heard on KUAL, KBLB and KLIZ Radio in Brainerd.
May 27, 2022: Community Focus on WJJY Radio with Ken and Tess. |
|
May 24, 2022: (l-r) Devon Krueger interviewed Brainerd VFW member Mark Persons the about annual Memorial Day Ceremonies in Brainerd. The broadcast was heard on WWWI-AM, WWWI-FM, KLKS, KFGI, KKIN-AM and KKIN-FM.
|
Most, but not all of the Brainerd Memorial Day Committee in 2022
|
May 31, 2021, Memorial Day. Taps Across America at 3 pm at the All Veterans Memorial in Brainerd. Taps with echo. (l-r) Brainerd VFW Commander Chip Borle and Charlie Johnson, a retired Pillager School teacher. |
|
Brainerd Memorial Day, May 31, 2021. There was a wreath ceremony at the Laurel Street Bridge at 10 am honoring those who died at sea. Then it was on to the All Veterans Memorial, at 4th and Laurel Streets, for the main ceremony at 10:30 am honoring all who died in service to our country. See it on Facebook Live at: https://www.facebook.com/brainerdmemorialday The event was also broadcast radio stations KBLB, 93.3 FM and WWWI at 95.9 FM.
Lakeland Public TV story: https://lptv.org/brainerd-holds-more-traditional-memorial-day-ceremony-for-2021/
May 31, 2021. There was a lunch at the Brainerd American Legion at 708 Front Street. It was co-sponsored by Brainerd Elks for veterans and their families.
|
A promotional audio that was heard on KBLB 93.3 FM Radio and video that was seen on Lakeland TV in Brainerd.
|
|
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: Helen Doucette Thank You.
May 19, 2021: Radio interviews were done with committee member Mark Persons telling about event plans.
(l-r) Mark Persons, Dick Lyscio and Ben Aberg on WWWI Radio
May 20, 2021, 8:45 am: Memorial Day Committee members Mark Persons and Dick Lyscio were interviewed by Ben Aberg on WWWI Radio in Brainerd. The simulcast was also heard on KLKS in Pequot Lakes, along with KKIN in Aitkin and KFGI Crosby.
|
(l-r) Danny, Mac and Mark Persons on KLIZ-FM Radio
May 26, 2021, 8:15 am: KLIZ-FM Radio interview on the morning show talking about Memorial Day ceremonies. They told the story of the 1.3 million men and women who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in our country. Memorial Day honors and remembers them for the sacrifices.
|
(l-r) Tess Taylor, Ken Thomas and Mark Persons on WJJY Radio
|
(l-r) Bill Satre and Mark Persons on B93.3 Radio
|
|
|
|
Monday, May 25, 2020, 10 am: Traditional Memorial Day ceremonies in Brainerd were replaced with a Facebook video taken at the All Veterans Memorial at 10 am. The Brainerd Fire Department put out a flag. Wreaths lay at the All Veterans Memorial, representing those lost at sea, the Bataan Death March, Gold Star families, Daughters of the American Revolution, Blue Star mothers, Marines, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Master of Ceremonies was Bill Satre. Reverend Mark Skinner said the prayers. Flags were raised and lowered. The Honor Guard fired 21 rounds and Marty Judd played Taps. Memorial Day is a national holiday honoring the more that one million servicemen and women who died in service to our country. The event was broadcast live on B93 and Cash 95 radio stations. Photos of the ceremony are below. You can view the video at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=878102222708750&ref=watch_permalink In just 24 hours, there were more than 1600 views of the video. See still photography below.
|
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.” |
Monday, May 25, 2020, 3 pm: The Brainerd VFW participated in Taps Across America, a national movement to play Taps in remembrance of those who died fighting for freedom. This 24-note bugle call was performed by Brainerd VFW Commander Chip Borle (on the right) with Taps echo by Charlie Johnson of Brainerd (on the left). Chip is an Iraq War veteran. Charlie is a retired Pillager, MN, band teacher. He had three uncles in WWII, one of them died. Another, a Navy man, died in Vietnam. See the video and audio at: https://www.brainerdvfw.org/taps.html
John McCray
|
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 |
|
In Waters by the Deep, a sailor's poem
|
|
Here is what the Brainerd Memorial Day looked like in previous years. It started at the Laurel Street Bridge where a wreath was thrown into the Mississippi River in honor of those who died at sea. Then onto the All Veterans Memorial for a ceremony. A parade on the north side of Brainerd started at 11 am and went to Evergreen Cemetery where the main ceremony was held, followed by lunch at the Brainerd American Legion. |
|
May 25, 2015: Memorial Day ceremonies were held indoors at the Brainerd National Guard Armory because of rain. WWII and Bataan Death March survivor Walt Straka was there.
