MINNEAPOLIS — While Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial kickoff to summer, it's still important to remember why we observe the holiday in the United States.
If you're looking for ways to remember and honor our fallen soldiers, here's a list of some local events happening Monday around the metro.
WHEN: 9:45-11 a.m.
WHERE: Fort Snelling National Cemetery
7601 34th Ave. Minneapolis
WHO/WHAT: Gov. Tim Walz; Sen. Amy Klobuchar; 34th Infantry Division Band; Patrick Kelly, director, VA Minneapolis Health Care; Lisa Anderson, Maj, USAF (Ret); Chaplain LTC Buddy Winn; The Memorial Rifle Squad
WHEN: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
WHERE: Stillwater Veteran's Memorial
138 Pine St. W., Stillwater
WHO/WHAT: "Our ceremony contains a guest speaker, a laying of wreaths for each Armed Service Branch honoring the deceased individuals, and a roll call of new pavers installed at the memorial. We invite our local public officials to attend, coordinate a flyover of vintage aircraft over our site and the ISD 834 schools, and participation of our local veteran service organization."
WHEN: Graveside services 7-9:30 a.m.; Excelsior Elementary program 10-10:45 a.m.; parade to cemetery 11 a.m.; community lunch 11:30-noon
WHERE: Graveside services at three area cemeteries; Excelsior Elementary Auditorium; parade down Water Street; Oak Hill Cemetery; lunch at the American Legion Hall (24450 Smithtown Rd., Excelsior)
WHO/WHAT: Special Program at Excelsior Elementary Auditorium: "This year we have a special guest speaker, Valerie Kennedy, a Gold Star Mother. The Kennedy's son, Joseph A. Kennedy, SPC, was Killed in Action in Afghanistan on April 15, 2011.
Parade down Water Street to the Oak Hill Cemetery: "People line the streets to pay tribute to veterans and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Honor Guard, band, military vehicles, flyover (2 prop planes), Wheels of Honor band, Fire Department, etc."
Oak Hill Cemetery Service: "Veterans, community members, scouts, police, fire, choir, bugler, etc. Special large flag folding ceremony by the Excelsior Fire Department."
Community lunch at the American Legion Hall: "Informal Lunch for any/all community member(s) and families."
WHEN: 1-4 p.m.
WHERE: From the Saint Paul Seminary (2260 Summit Ave., St. Paul) to the Cathedral of Saint Paul (239 Selby Ave., St. Paul)
WHO/WHAT: "Thousands of women and men of all ages and walks of life will join Archbishop Bernard Hebda and other bishops in a Eucharistic procession up the entire 4.5-mile length of Summit Avenue."
WHEN: 11 a.m.–noon
WHERE: Veterans Memorial in Purgatory Creek Park
13001 Technology Dr., Eden Prairie
WHO/WHAT: "This year's event features keynote speaker First Lt. Jim Rasmussen, a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. Lt. Rasmussen was a member of the 349th Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group during World War II and served as a navigator amidst the war's most harrowing conflicts. The 100th Bomb Group's story was recently featured in the acclaimed Apple TV+ mini-series 'Masters of the Air.'
The program also includes patriotic music performed by the Eden Prairie Community Band and local singer Julie Tuck."
WHEN: Service at 10 a.m.; lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
WHERE: Roselawn Cemetery Veterans Memorial — Soldiers’ Rest
803 W. Larpenteur Ave., Roseville
WHO/WHAT: "Attendees should bring a lawn chair as seating will not be provided. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Roselawn Chapel. A picnic lunch — hot dog, chips, cookie, pop or water — will be offered for $5."
WHEN: St. Mary's Cemetery ceremony 9 a.m.; Veterans Memorial Park ceremony 11:45 a.m.;
WHERE: St. Mary's Cemetery (2980 Helen St. N., North St. Paul); Veterans Memorial Park (2480 Margaret St. N., North St. Paul)
WHO/WHAT: "The American Legion Post 39 Honor Guard and VFW Post 1350 Rifle Squad will honor veterans during a ceremony at St. Mary’s Cemetery followed by a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park. Attendees are encouraged to gather at 11:45 a.m. A brief program will be held. Honor guards from VFW Post 1350 and American Legion Post 39 will fire a three-volley salute, provide flag detail and play taps."
WHEN: Parade 9:30 a.m.; memorial service 10 a.m.; Lost at Sea Memorial Service 2 p.m.
WHERE: Parade from City Hall (4701 Hwy 61, White Bear Lake) to Union Cemetery (Highways 61 and 96); Veterans Park (adjacent to VFW Post 1782)
WHO/WHAT: “The parade starts and City Hall and goes to Union Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at the cemetery. A Lost at Sea Memorial Service will commence at Veterans Park. Hot dogs and refreshments will be served at the American Legion following the conclusion of the Union Cemetery Memorial Service.”
WHEN: Program 10 a.m.; lunch follows
WHERE: Memorial Day Program South St. Paul High School auditorium (700 Second St. N., South St. Paul); Hot dog lunch at Gallagher-Hansen VFW Post 295 (1401 Thompson Ave., South St. Paul)
WHO/WHAT: "The Annual South St. Paul Memorial Day Program will take place at the South St. Paul High School Auditorium. Due to a proactive decision by the VFW, the parade has been cancelled and the venue moved indoors.
Following the program, everyone is invited to the Gallagher Hansen VFW for a hot dog lunch and conversation."
WHEN: 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Levee Park
20 Ramsey St., Hastings
WHO/WHAT: "We're a group of Veterans from all branches of service that do a scenic 10 mile walk on Memorial Day. Many non-veteran 'civilians' join us as well. This was started 1. to honor our fallen comrades 2. to raise public awareness for the holiday and 3. to create a good excuse for Veterans to hang out. Our route is the scenic 10 mile River Trail Loop of Hastings, MN. Along the route we'll have Honor Markers that feature our fallen comrades, or family or friends that made the ultimate sacrifice."
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