Memorial Day ‘Light a Light’ to be held at Veterans Park

The annual Memorial Day program in Minneota normally begins in the morning at the Legion Hall and ends with the reading of deceased veterans’ names. However, because of the need to social distance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program this year will be scaled back.
“We have cancelled the morning ceremony at the Legion,” said Minneota American Legion Post 199 Commander Jim Fink. “However, we will still have the ‘Light a Light’ and reading of the newest names on the pavers.”
The “Light a Light” program will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 25 at Veterans Park. When the color guard is in place, the ceremony will begin with the placing of a wreath at the park by a member of the American Legion.
That will be followed by the reading of the names of those who purchased a veteran’s paver in the past year. The lights will also be lit for those who donated in honor or in memory of a veteran.
The program then continues with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps”, and concludes with a recording of Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to be an American”.

“We will maintain the social distancing during the program,” said Fink, who also urges those in attendance to wear a mask.
As the skies begin to darken, the flagpoles and trees will seemingly come alive with the various colored lights.
The Roll Call of the Dead, normally read during the program, will be printed in the Mascot in its May 21 issue.
American Legion and VFW members will also be preparing for Memorial Day by placing more than 400 flags on the grave sites of veterans in local cemeteries, as well as placing lights and a timer in the trees and flagpoles at Veterans Park.

Light a Light for a veteran
The Minneota American Legion and Taunton/Minneota V.F.W. will Light a Light for your veteran who died in battle or from natural causes, or in honor of someone still serving in the military.
With your donation, a light will be lit and your veteran’s name will be read during Monday evening’s Memorial Day program in Minneota.
Donations of $25 or more can be sent to: Jim Fink, 502 Kennedy St., Minneota, MN 56264. Make checks payable to: Minneota American Legion Post 199.
Also include the name and rank of the veteran of your choice, along with their branch of service, whether the donation is in memory or in honor of a veteran, and the name of the person donating. (See ad on bottom of page).

Ghent ceremony
Ghent American Legion Post 564 Commander Ron Sussner said the Memorial Day ceremony is currently “on hold for now”.
He explains that the normal ceremony features a 9 a.m. Mass with the names of the deceased veterans at that time. That is followed by a short memorial service at the cemetery that includes a 21-gun salute.
“We will probably still have some sort of a ceremony at the cemetery, but we are waiting to see what the church is planning first,” he said.

Taunton ceremony
Taunton Legion Post 604 Memorial Day program has been canceled for this year. This is based on social distancing guidelines and gathering of groups of more than ten people.
Please remember what the day is intended for and to take a moment of silence to remember those who have passed unto their reward.