Wanamingo Memorial Day Program is Back

The annual Wanamingo Memorial Day Parade and Program is back this year after cancellation a year ago due to COVID-19.  8:00 a.m. there will be a brief ceremony and prayer at the Wanamingo POW/MIA Memorial.

8:30 a.m. Assembly takes place at the Community Center.

9:00 a.m. Step off at the Community Center.

Order of March is:

• Color Bearers
• Mayor Ryan Holmes, Pastor Chris Culuris, Jason Benson
• Rifle Squad
• All Veterans walking and Veterans transported in golf carts
• Flower Bearers (Hunter Wetztein, Korbin Flotterud, Elizabeth Boulton, Oliver Stoppel)
• Kenyon-Wanamingo Marchin Band
• Boy Scouts
• Girl Scouts

Parade goes north down Main Street to the Zumbro River Bridge.  A brief memorial service honoring those lost at sea will be on the bridge.

Program at Riverside Park

Welcome by Pastor Culuris
Words from Mayor Holmes
Invocation and Introduction of the band by Pastor Culuris
Musical Selections:  America The Beautiful, My Country Tis of Thee, K-W Band under direction of Claire Larson
Introduce Scouts for the Pledge of Allegiance by Pastor Culuris
Pledge of Allegiance led by Wanamingo Scouts
Introduction of Students for readings by Pastor Culuris
In Flanders Field read by Sierra Belcher
Gettysburg Address read by Logan Thompson
Remarks from Jason Benson
Star Spangled Banner- John S. Smith by Kenyon-Wanamingo Band
Honor Roll of the Fallen read by Gary Floan
Salute to the Fallen by Wanamingo Veterans Honor Guard Rifle Squad
Taps by Alisha Ramirez and Arin Kyllo
Flag detail by Jim Kittelson
Benediction by Pastor Culuris

All Veterans are encouraged to march in the parade.  For Veterans unable to march you are welcome to ride on golf carts provided. (Uniform not required).  In case of raid the ceremony will be held in Trinity Lutheran Church.

Here is John A. Logan's General Order No. 11, from Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868.

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwide decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.  In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

"We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion."  What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and it's foe?  Their soldier lives were the reville of freedom to a race in chains..."

"Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above then with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."

"It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugerate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory ofr his departed comrades.  He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend it's friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance...."

By order of John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief

What is more American than Route 66?