Deceased veterans were honored and remembered in Kenyon on Memorial Day.
The Rolling Thunder Ride 2024, supported by the Faribault American Legion Riders Post 43, made their annual stop at Gol Cemetery late Sunday morning.
A group of motorcyclists have made this stop during their annual road cruise to honor Gold Star families.
The Kenyon Color Guard presented the flags for the event. Steve Bonde’s playing of the National Anthem opened the program.
Kirk Mansfield, one of the riders, served as spokesperson for the program. He recognized Gold Star family members Mary Danielson Gates, Helen Gunhus Peterson, and Meredith Johnson, giving them all an opportunity to talk to those in attendance.
After reading a roster of veterans from the area who have passed, the Color Guard offered a rifle salute in their honor, and Bonde concluded the program with “Taps.”
On Monday morning, with on-and-off drizzle coming down, veterans gathered at the VFW in preparation for the Memorial Day observance.
Before departing for the processional, Veteran Hugh O’Kane got the attention of those in the room. He talked about John McCrae, a Canadian-born soldier and physician who served in World War I. Dr. McCrae died from pneumonia while serving in France in 1918. O’Kane then gave an outstanding recitation of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written by Dr. John McCrae.
This event set the tone for the day as people reflected on those who have served.
The procession lined up at the Speedway corner, with a very light rain falling. A decision was made that the K-W band would not participate because of the potential damage to instruments due to the rain.
Promptly at 10:30, the procession of veterans and dignitaries led by Honorary Parade Marshal Don Skillestad made their way down Main Street to the Kenyon Cemetery for the Memorial Day program.
Color Guard member Paul Senjem gave a welcome as a steady rain started. Following the invocation by Chaplain Ray Ades and a greeting from Kenyon Mayor Doug Henke, United States Army Veteran Beth Giese gave the keynote address for the day. She started her comments by explaining the differences between Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day.
Giese talked about how it is important to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all and how important it is to remember this in the future.
Following a Special Detail restoration of the colors, the K-W Chamber Choir performed a beautiful rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Josie Flom and Ross Aldorfer played “Taps” to conclude the program.
Flom, a K-W senior, was presented with a certificate of appreciation for playing “Taps” at various veteran events during her school career.
There were many meaningful moments during the remembrances, but the one that will always stand out is the large crowd of people who gathered in the rain to show their respect for all veterans.
Most Popular
Comments / 0