Ninth annual Erickson ride

By TRISTAN GEHRING

Staff Writer

The ninth annual Caleb Erickson Memorial Day took place in Waseca Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26, with great success in raising funds for veteran support. “He's worth remembering,” said “Mac,” a Marine who served alongside Caleb Erickson. “The people who come here are a big part of keeping his memory alive.” Mac was one of five Marines in attendance who served alongside Caleb during his time in the service. Each year Caleb's mother, Karla Scherff, has arranged for flights to bring these men together from across the United States in memory of her son, which Mac said is “no small feat.”

The motorcycle ride, the highlight of the event, included more than 60 bikes and 25 cars. Serving as road guards for the ride were Kirk “Indian John” Mansfield, Matt “Pink Floyd” Dale, and “Woody”. 

“May God ride beside each of us and bring us home to our loved ones this evening,” said Indian John during his blessing of the bikes prior to the ride. The first stop of the day was Woodville Cemetery, where Caleb Erickson is buried. “First we take care of business,” said Mansfield. “Then we play.” At the cemetery, Mansfield and Sherff each spoke in memory of Erickson. “Make your life a blessing, not because there are any guarantees in life but because there are not,” said Mansfield. 

Through teary laughter, Scherff told the crowd, “If Caleb were here he would say, 'This isn't for me – I don't need all of this.'” The highest-ranking veteran in the crowd was then responsible for calling to order all veterans present for a salute to Caleb Erickson before the ride moved on. Later stops were made in Good Thunder, Courtland and St. Peter before everyone returned to the Waseca American Legion about 6 p.m. “We're here to show the visiting Marines the love we have as a Southern Minnesota community,” said Mansfield about the turnout for the ride. “I hope they can take some of that home with them.”