St. Peter’s annual Memorial Day program brought out hundreds of community members to the Minnesota Square Park pavilion on Monday morning seeking to honor the local men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.
Community members crowded outside the pavilion to watch as the American Legion William R. Witty Post 37 Color Guard carried the flags in a walk of honor down Third Street, followed by the Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corp. As the color guard entered the pavilion to hoist the colors, the St. Peter High School band, directed by Dave Haugh, began to play the national anthem.
Pastor Chris Culuris of First Lutheran Church opened the program with an invocation before Post 37 Commander Elect and emcee Cliff Isley took the podium. Isley introduced Mayor Shanon Nowell, who welcomed the community to the Memorial Day program.
Mackenzie Moline then took the podium to deliver her “What Patriotism Means to Me” scholarship-winning essay. In her address, Moline reflected on the amazing accomplishments of her great grandfather, great uncles and grandfather during their military service. Her voice trembled when she spoke on the service of her grandfather, who had been diagnosed with ALS in 2021.
“I feel proud to have known this ordinary, but extraordinary man. The history and knowledge that him and members lived amazes me and I am proud to be here today,” said Moline. “I know that I stand for the pledge and I have nothing but respect for those who wore the uniform. I truly believe this is a great country and I am proud to be part of its history.”
After Moline’s speech and a rendition of “God Bless America” by the St. Peter High School band, Legion member and U.S. Army veteran Deann Schloesser delivered the keynote Memorial Day address. Schloesser began her military career in 1990 serving as a mechanic on Blackhawk helicopters. For six years. Schloesser served as a mechanic and crew chief at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia; Illesheim, Germany and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Today she works as a registrar at Gustavus Adolphus College.
Schloesser emphasized the importance of safeguarding veterans and active service members in her address. She delivered a call to action, directing audience members to “elect leaders who value peace,” pay attention to legislation that negatively affects veteran benefits and to hold the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs accountable for their services to veterans. The U.S. Army veteran also called for community members to thank veterans for their service and military families for their sacrifice.
“We have this day, Memorial Day, and it is one day out of 365 days to remember and to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It seems to be 364 days too short. There is one day singled out, but that is a minimum, not a maximum,” said Schloesser. “Every day we should be grateful to our fallen for our freedom and for the manner in which we go about our lives.”
Following the keynote address, it was time to honor St. Peter’s fallen heroes. The Govenaires Drum and Bugle Corp played a tribute the deceased, which led into a memorial ceremony for the 104 veterans whose names are inscribed on the St. Peter Area Veterans Memorial Honor Wall. The names of each honor wall veteran was written on the back of the programs handed out. Isley delivered a brief description of each war the dead had fought in, dating back to the U.S.-Dakota War, after which Dave Johnson rang a solemn bell.
American Legion Auxiliary members Angie Glassel and Jane Tate then laid a memorial wreath in honor of the fallen. The Post 37 Honor Guard, stationed south of the pavilion, fired a ceremonial three round volley, which was followed by taps played by the Govenaires.
The ceremony concluded with a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” by the St. Peter High School Chamber singers, a benediction by Culuris and the retiring of the colors.
Following the program in Minnesota Square Park, the Legion held a tribute to those lost at sea at Riverside Park. The public was also invited to partake in a fellowship and free will lunch at the American Legion.
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