'Let us not forget those who died'

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who died in the armed forces to preserve the freedom of the United States and to defend it in battle.

Waldorf American Legion Post 587 and its auxiliary put together a program to honor and remember those area veterans and military servicemen who died within the past year; the ceremony was held Monday morning at the Waldorf Community Center. The color guard presented the colors, and Rev. Michael Matthews of First Lutheran Church in Waldorf provided the invocation and benediction.

The program started off with some improvisation. The Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Band was to perform the Star Spangled Banner, but was running late after appearing at the Janesville American Legion’s Memorial Day program. Rev. Matthews led in singing the national anthem while a volunteer from the crowd read “General Order No. 11” written by Chief John A. Logan calling for a national day of remembrance for the Civil War dead.

When the JWP band did arrive, Claire Miller read the Gettysburg Address while Ellie Morsching read the poem “In Flanders Fields.” The band performed “Salute to America’s Finest” by Paul Lavender and followed that by leading a performance of “America the Beautiful.”

The guest speaker at the Memorial Day Program was Duane Anderson, the vice commander for Minnesota American Legion districts 1 and 3, which Waldorf is a part of. Anderson spoke a few words about Memorial Day before sharing a poem about the American Legion, ending with the story of a fallen soldier who did not receive a 21-gun salute, who did not have a color guard provide them the proper sendoff, and whose family did not receive a flag.

“Let us make sure we do not forget about those who died,” Anderson said. “God bless America and those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Lucas Trumbull, a member of the American Legion, performed Taps before a silent tribute followed.

Following the program, there was a mini parade led by the Waldorf American Legion Color Guard. The crowd marched to the St. Joseph and First Lutheran Church cemeteries for graveside services in tribute to the deceased service members buried at those sites.

The Legion hosted a potluck lunch at around noon at the Waldorf Community Center to end the day’s activities.