Memorial Day: Remembering those who died in service to their country

The federal holiday, which is observed the last Monday of May, began in the South during the American Civil War. Women gathered to decorate the graves of the Confederate dead. The tradition continued after the war. It was John Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, who in 1868 issued General Order #11 designating May 30 as a memorial day “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

For many years, Memorial Day was observed on May 30. This changed in 1971, when federal law changed the observance to the last Monday in May and extended the honor to all soldiers who died in American wars.

It was President Abraham Lincoln in his speech on Nov. 19, 1863, while dedicating the National Cemetery of Gettysburg, who said, “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.”

This year Hutchinson DAV Chapter 37 is hosting the local Memorial Day program at Veterans Park of McLeod County, 295 First Ave. S.E. The parade lineup begins at 9:15 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church parking lot. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and follows Hassan Street to Veterans Memorial Park. The program is at 10 a.m. This year’s speakers are Van Karg, past state commander of the DAV, and his wife, LeeAnn, past national commander of the DAV Auxiliary. Music will be provided by the Crow River Singers.

In case of inclement weather, the program will move to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1040 South Grade Road S.W., Hutchinson.

Memorial Day will also be observed in neighboring communities. Here’s a look at other local programs hosted on Monday, unless noted otherwise.

Brownton: The Brownton American Legion and its Auxiliary are hosting a Memorial Day observance at 10 a.m. outside of the Brownton Community Center, 310 Second St. N. Following the program, a prepared luncheon will be served instead of the traditional potluck.

Cokato: The Cokato Memorial Day observance and Cokato Museum open house are canceled this year.

Darwin: The 20th annual Darwin Lakes Area Memorial Day program is drive-in style this year. Tune your radio to FM 89.1 or watch live on Facebook at 10:30 a.m. The keynote speaker is Susan Cron, retired Air Force sergeant. She is speaking from the Hantge Funeral Chapel parking lot, 100 First St., Darwin. For more information, call Hantge Funeral Chapel at 320-693-8710.

Dassel: A ceremony is 9 a.m. at Dassel Cemetery. The invocation, benediction and music will be provided by Sheldon Hedin. The featured speaker is Jeff Powers. Following the program, light refreshments will be served at the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum, 901 First St. The rain location is the Dassel History Center.

Forest City: A Memorial Day service is at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30, at Forest City War Memorial Park. The rain location is St. Matthew’s Church in Forest City.

Glencoe: The Glencoe VFW Post 5102 and American Legion Post 95 are hosting a ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Glencoe-Silver Lake High School Auditorium, 1825 16th St. E., Glencoe.

Grove City: There is no Memorial Day observance in Grove City this year.

Kingston: Kingston Legion Post 483 plans a Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. at Kingston Veterans Memorial Park.

Lester Prairie: The Memorial Day program is at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Lester Prairie.

Litchfield: The Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic and the American Legion Auxiliary are hosting Litchfield’s Memorial Day parade and program. Lineup begins 9 a.m. at the G.A.R. Hall, 308 Marshall Ave. The parade is 9:30 a.m. and will proceed west to Swift Avenue, then travel south on Swift Avenue to South Park. From there, people will go to the Litchfield Cemetery for a short program. Social distancing will be observed and attendees are welcome to wear masks if they choose.

Following the program, the Meeker County Museum is hosting its traditional Memorial Day picnic 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Litchfield Opera House, 136 N. Marshall Ave., Litchfield. This event started in 1885. Enjoy lunch and live music by George’s Concertina Band. Expect to hear polka, waltz and modern/classic country music. For more information, call the museum at 320-693-8911.

Plato: The Plato Memorial Day program is 9 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 308 First St. N.E.

Silver Lake: The American Legion Post 141 Color Guard will march at 10:45 a.m. from the American Legion to Veterans Park. The program begins at 11 a.m. and this year’s speaker is Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin. Rain location is the Silver Lake Auditorium.

Stewart: A ceremony is 10 a.m. at the Stewart Fire Department, 551 Prior St. A prepared luncheon will follow instead of the traditional potluck.

Winsted: Winsted will observe Memorial Day with a naval tribute at 9:15 a.m. at Mill Reserve Park, followed by a program at 10 a.m. at Winsted Public Cemetery. The Memorial Day address will be given by Lt. Col. Jim Lauer (Ret.), McLeod County Veteran Services Officer. The program will include music by select members of the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted choirs under the direction of Alexandra Thrasher, fifth-grade essay winners from Winsted Elementary and Holy Trinity Elementary, and Honor Guard and Taps.