CAMP RIPLEY - Garrison staff of Camp Ripley and other members of the Minnesota National Guard will take part in events this weekend honoring those who died in service to the United States.
"As members of the local community, we are honored to participate in Memorial Day events," said Lt. Col. Chad Sackett, deputy garrison commander at Camp Ripley. "It is right and fitting that we recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of those who died in service to our nation."
Minnesota National Guard members are speaking at events throughout the Memorial Day weekend. For those interested in attending a Memorial Day ceremony, here are a few of the listings for central Minnesota:
• 1:30 p.m. Sunday - State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony.
• 8 a.m. Monday - Cold Spring Memorial Day Ceremony in the American Legion Post No. 455.
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• 9 a.m. Monday - Sartell Memorial Day Ceremony in the Veterans Park on Riverside Avenue.
• 9:30 a.m. Monday - Randall Memorial Day Ceremony at the Dr. S.G. Knight School.
• 10 a.m. Monday - Long Prairie Memorial Day Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park.
• 10 a.m. Monday - Swanville Memorial Day Ceremony in the Swanville School gym.
• 10:30 a.m. Monday - St. Cloud VA Memorial Day Ceremony: May 2530 a.m. parking lot of St. Cloud VA
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was brought about as a day of remembrance for those who had died in the service of the United States shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971 more than 100 years after the event was first recognized.
"We have a duty to remember those who gave so much for our freedom and way of life," concluded Lt. Col. Sackett.
